The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-02-27
THE PERRYSBURG JOURNAL.

| 10 I'll IdSO, where remained llll OepteIUOeT
Sth, when | started once more for Texas
with my three brothers-in-law, i'll company
with small party consisting of five Amer
leans and one Mexican. Mr.. Hart, who
owned and commanded this train having
some business in Texas which required his
immediate attention, travelled very rapidly,
and | hoped in few days more to be in the
midst of my friends.
AS we had only seen one Indian on the
route we fattered ourselves that we should
not be molested by any of the tribes which
lntest this route. When near the borders of
Texas, some Of our own party stole three
animals from Mr.. Hart, and ran off. Mr.
Hart anxious to overtake the thieves started
in pursuit, taking with him my eldest broth
er-in-law, lad some fourteen years of age,
leaving myself, Mexican and the two boys
to follow as rapidly as we could. We were
at this time within three days Journey of a
military post at Phantom Hill and were
considered out of danger. A discharged
soldier being unable to keep up with us was
some distance behind, but saw nothing of
him after this The day after Mr. Hart left
us, as we were travelling, about noon, we
saw two Camanche Indians charging upon
Ius in front and at the same time two Others
were seen driving up behind. We were all
very much frightened, and the Mexican
jumped out of the wagon and went towards
the Indians, in order, if possible, to gain
their friendship.
The mules in our wagon, four in number,
becoming frightened by the war-whoop Of
the savages turned out of the road and COM
menced running as fast as they could. One
of them fell down before we had gone far,
and the others were then obliged to stop
The Indians now came upon us, and ordered
the Mexican to take the mules out Of the
harness. While this was going on, got
out of the wagon, and looked on in breath
less suspense. After the mules were unhar-
messed, the Mexican was stripped of his
clothing, his hands tied behind his back,
and ordered TO sit down upon the ground
One of them went behind him and shot him
with gun, while another stabbed him sew
Ieral times with large butcher knife. His
scalp was cut off before he was dead, and
put into his own hat the hat was then worn
by one of his murderers. | was stupefed
with horror as gazed on this spectacle, and
supposed that my turn would come next
But the Indians having secured the plunder
of the wagon, mounted us on the mules and
ordered us to 60 with them.
AS L lGlI, L lOOheu UdCh dtlu saw pun
Mexican weltering in his blood, and still
breathing.
We took northeast direction, and travel
ed slowly till sunset, when we encamped.-
Here the plunder, consisting of blankets,
bedding, clothing, brides, and some money
which | had in my pocket, was divided
among the Indians. Some articles consider
ed useless were thrown into the fire. My
clothing was taken away, except barely
enough to cover my person. In the distri-
button of the captives, the eldest boy, about
IL years of age, was claimed by the chief;
| became the property of one of the Others
should have mentioned that one of our
captors was Mexican, who had been stolen
from the State of Chihuahua when an in
fant. He was now as savage as the Indians,
and claimed the youngest boy for his prize.
The scalp of the Mexican was stretched on
stick and dried by the fire.
After giving us some meat for our supper,
the Indians began to secure us for the night.
The boys, with their arms tied tightly behind
them, were taken under guard by two of the
savageS. My feet were tied together, and
was obliged to lie between the other two
| | did not sleep any during the night, for !
was afraid of being killed
The next day we resumed our journey, and
! travelled in the same direction. The boys
were mounted on good animals, and had