Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-05-23
A SECOND POCAHONTAS

lowing interesting communication was re.
celved from the War Department. and re.
ierred TO the appropriate committee who
reported bill, which was passed, granting
a pension Of eight dollars a month to Mlly
the Indian woman, mentioned in the letter:
WASHINGTON, April IL, 1913.
STa:-l have the honor to report that, in
my recent visit to the Creek Nation of In
dams, | found Creek woman named Mily
a daughter Of the celebrated Prophet Fran
CTS, the Creek Chief who was executed by
order Of Gen. Jackson, in the Seminole war
OF 1917 Is; and believing tina; the circum-
stances Of her history presented case of
very peculiar interest, made it point to
obtain from herself a statement Of her con-
duct in 1918, when as public history has
already recorded; she saved the life of an
American citizen who was prisoner in
the power Of some of her tribe. Being in
the vicinity Of the indian girl, near the
mouth Of the Verdigris river, and being
acquainted with portion Of her history.
rode several miles to hear her story from
herself
She began by saying that an elder sister
and herself were playing on the bank of
the river ApaIachcoIa, when they heard
a warcry, which they understood to signi-
fly that a prisoner had been taken. They
Immediately went in the direction Of the
ery, and found a white man. entirely naked
| ted TO tree, and two young Indian war
| RIOS with thar ~ a., Il i y
preparatory to putting him to death, as was
their tight. according TO custom, they hav-
| Ing taken him prisoner, he is in the hands
| OF the caNors-ihateyen the chiefs having
no an'horfy in the case. hilIy was then
bat Il year. Of age.
- ne pfhoner was a young man" said
NIlIV. land 'ecmsd very much frightened
and looked Wildly around to see if any bo-
! DIV would help rim" 81 thought il was a
pitv," she said, sthat a Young man like
him should be pu.to death: and spoke to
my father, and to'' him that it was pity
to kill him-that he had no head to 60 to
war WITH" (m"anlfg ,ha. young man
| must have acted upon the advice Of others
md not upon his own suggestion in going
to war; My father tod me, continued
Millv. that be could not sive him, and adj
vised me TO speak to the ln'ians, and did
! so; but one OF them was very much enrag-
| ed saying he had lost two sisters in the war
and would put the prisoner t. death.
told him." said Milly, 'rhat 1t would not
bring his sisters back to kill tie Young
man; and so, talking to him some fme. f.
! ally persuaded him; and he said thai if the
young man would agree to have his head
shaved. and dress like an Indian. and live
! among them; they would save his life"
| She then proposed the conditions 10 he
white mon. which were jovfuly accepted.
| and the Indians changed the contaminated
death scene into frolic. They shaved the
Young mans head. exceptng the scalp
lock, which was ornamenZd with feathers.
and after painting hiG and providing him
an Indian dress he VS. SGT at liberty, and
adooted as one Of nc tribe.
Some time aterward TIE Young man
proposed marriage; but Ml!v said she did
not save hiSlife for that, and declined his
proposals
| aSE5d Millv how she now lived. She
'o'o ml that she was very poor. and had TO
work very hard, that her father was put to
death in the war. and her mother and sister
We're dead. Her husband was also dead,
OF eight children she had bat three living.
two Of whom were young girls, and one
boz; too voung vet to help her. But she
said teat il she could recover her property
from the Seminoles she would live very
well.
She is now about forty wears OF agH:and
after having seen her, and being entirely
satisfied Of the truth Of her story. | am in
duced to recommend that her cause be laid
before Congress. MlIy has now no husband
or brother, or any near connection, TO pro-
vide for her. and is in need-with fine
promising son indeed, but too young to be
ofsprvicc to his mother: and owing to Pied
COS made 10 the Sem;nolcs, it is probably
she will not be able to recover possession
of some negro property. now held by the
Seminolcs, belonging 10 her.
| have the honor 10 be,
Very Respectfully,
Your obedrnt servant,
E. A. HITCHCOCK.
iet Col Ath / Infantry.