The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-02-27
A Narrative

CdmdnChe Indians.
was born in Alton, Illinois, on the 18th
day of June, 1887, and am, therefore, in the
seventeenth year of my age. My fathers
name was William Smith; my mothers
maiden name was Jane Cox. | had five
brothers and four sisters. | think it was
IN the year 1916 that we moved to Missouri
and settled at boat landing or ferry, called
Jamestown, on the North Grand river. My
father kept the ferry.
About eight years ago we moved from this
place to Texas, and settled near Paris, in
Lamar county. Here my father and mother
died within one day of each other, leaving
six orphan children behind them. Three of
my brothers had died before the death of my
parents. My eldest brother, who was in
ranging company. now came home to settle
my fathers affairs and make provision for
our support. He secured homes for us with
different neighbors, but took the youngest
sister. our pet, with him to place her with
one of our aunts.
One days journey from the place where
he left us he was attacked by the winter
fever, and died in one week. l have three
sisters older than myself. Their names are
Elizabeth, Cynthia, and Caroline. My
brother James and sister Ellen are younger
than myself Ellen was four years old when
my parents died Caroline is dwarf, and
the nighbors thought that the medicine the
doctor gave her stopped her growth. She
was dear child and we all loved her because
of her misfortune. (Here Jane was unable
to restrain her feelings, and burst into tears.)
lived with several neighbors until the first
of last February, when was married to Mr..
James Wilson, young farmer just begin
ming life with little property, consisting in
cattle and horses. He was but nineteen
years of age when we were married. We
knew but little of life for was not yet six
teen. fear we were crazy in getting married
while we were so young. poor girl when
her thoughts went back to this period of her
life she wept as if her heart would break.)
We had heard that people became rich very
fast in California, so we concluded to move
and commence life in that distant country.
We ga thered together the little property we
possessed and joined a party of emigrants
consisting of fifty-two men, twelve women
and several children. The father and bro tn
ers of my husband were among this number.
There We're in all twenty-five wagons, and
the whole company was placed under the
command of Mr.. Henry Hickman. We
started from Hunt county on the 9th of
April last, and took the route for El Paso.-
We arrived at the Guadalupe Mountains
about the first of June. Here the Mascaloro
Apaches stole from us nineteen head cattle;
six men started III pursuit, but were driven
back by the Indians. We went thence to
FL Paso. My husband not being able to
travel with Mr., Hickmans train, he deter
mined to remain at Ell Paso till the arrival Of
another party of California emigrants. Five
of Mr.. HIS men staid with us. While here,
the Mexicans stole nearly all the property
we had, and left us unable 10 proceed on our
Journey. We could do nothing now except
make our way back to Texas.
About the last Of July we started on our
return, with the fragments Of our property
which the thieves had spared. On the first
daylof August, my huband and his father
left us, and fell into the hands Of the lndi-
ans. / saw them no more after this. |
vas told that they had been murdered. You
may perhaps BE- able TO imagine my feelings
when | found myself thus bereaved and des-
7itute in land of strangers. My misfortune
seemed greater than could bear, but knew
not that heavier trials were in store for me-