The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1853-06-03
! Extraordinary Narration.

Ano toiio"iuS icNeT, says the o.. w
american is from gentleman connected
with the government service on our from
tiers. We have read of similar instances
Of self-immolation among the American
Indians, rather than fall into the hands OF
their enemies, but do not reccllact any
other case in Texas, A i our late accounts
confirm the fact that since the Rangers
were disbanded the Indians were renew
ing their predatory incursions with alar.
frequency. ggssla,
FoRr CRocAN Texas April7rls53J
Mr. DEAR 49,. have just returned
from one Of the most arduous and exciting
scouts lIhave ever made awe had been
robbed here twice by the Indians within
four months. The last time on henight
of the 18th March. They took down
pannel of my stable lot and led out nine Of
my finest horses. 1t was one of the dark
est and most clustering nights of the sea
son. and the robbery must have beer COM
mitted between nine and ten at night -
The next morning started with seventeen.
men pursuit. Failing to discover a trail
| proceeded at once to the post on the
head OF the clear Fork of the Brazos,
81 ii 4. -{4f a. & . =
thence to the Indian agency half way be-
tween Phantcn Hill and Belknap. Up to
this point could hear nothing Of The rob
berry. except the opinion entertained by
the agent, Mr.. Stem, and ill the friendly
Indians hich concurred with my own
that the robbery had been committed by
Witchetas. While at the agencya party
Of that tribe, under their principal war
chief, came ii undVr the pretense Of sur
rendering some stolen horses they had
previously promised to Stem they would
do. The Horses they broughtln were SO
Indifferent and broken down that it was
evident they were acting in bad faith, and
that this was only intended as lsubter-
fuge. Y 5''. ,'4'a %, 'a.& ''1t @3 E3tJ a1F'
| was not disposed to be trihed with IN
this manner; the agent had also lost all
patience with tthrm.sirIt was accordingly
agreed to detaip tas chief and principal
portion of this party, consisting of nine
warriors and several women. as hostages
until, the whole Of the property recently
stolen should be brought in, Mr.. Stem
announced to them our dete rn,ination, and
told them in pretty PLAIN terms ! meant
to carry them into Belknap and hold them
as prisoners, permitting two Of their num-
Der TO return to their tdbe and convey the
"talk" we had given them. Though |
fully expected q break On the announce
ment, which would result r the death Of
Mr., ..Stem Or myself, or both77indeed |
would not have insured either Of, eur lives,
at 100 per cent I'VE, were compelled to
face the danger with apparent Indifference,
Any manifestation of fear or, suspicion
would have increased the chances Of their
resorang to the, desperate alternative of
"a rush" for liberty plunging their knives.
INTO whnmsoewrl interrupted their passage
The sequel proves the desperation & with
which they would have acted lAs spon,
ash bad nleld them'they were prisoners 4,
rose hom the. bear skin upep which | had
been sitting facing ,lheme and mounted my
horse, at,the same time drawing my pis
tol and molunins them to go to the camp
The chief requested thai i should dis,
mount, that he wished 70 speak, q did Sql
and took n seatyon a, sto2l near by ~ He
motiensd me- to sit in my former position
ON the ground. Il did SO, at the same time
drawing my knife under prstense Of cut
tabacco to smoke. Il He rose, addressed a
few remarks to me about the difficulty Of
his young men from stealing,
&c. > and suggested that it would be better
that he should return to his tribe This
refusededi Hethen seemingly yielded to
his fateaapprcaching me and seizny ms
hand, lifted me 'fromtlie ground, and emr
bracing me, first'poiuitng TO Heaven and to
ourselves, to indica.e that the Great Spirit
witnessed the proceeding. Itcld theni l
would not hold them as close prisoners,
but merely guard against their escape by
placing sentinels around their camp ~
Meantime eneamped my command near
heirs, and took from them all the atms
,ouId fnd.s They retired quietly to their
ents at dark, manifesting not the slightest
Intention of an attempt to escape. a,sN Il
The moon shone as bright as day n /
lad ported two distinct guards over theml
# six men each; with our sentinels. Il
rad been up and moving about camp until
l..