Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-03-08

Of the Sufrerings of Mrs. Jane Adeline
Wilson, During her Captivity among
the CamaMche Indians.
1t was announced short time ago that
an American woman had been rescued
from the Camanche Indians. The fol-
lowing is her narrative her captivity and
suferings:
was born in Alton, Illinois. on the 18th
day OF June, 1887, and am. therefore, in
the seventeenth year of my age. My fa-
theirs name was VIM. Smith : my moth
er's name was Jane Cox. had five bro
Lhcrs and four sisters. think 1t was IN
1846 that We moved to Missouri, and settled
at boat landing or ferry called James
town, on the North Grand River. My fa-
ther kept the ferry.
About eight years ago we moved from
this place to Texas. and settled near Pa
ris, 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 died before
the death OF nv parents. My eldest brother
who was in arranging company, now came
to settle my fathers affairs and make pro-
visions 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. lived with
several neighbors until the first of last
February, when l was married to Mr..
James Wilson, young farmer just be-
ginning life with little properly, conss-
n in npl cnItla In hnt
nineteen when we were married. Weknew
little Of life for was not yet sixteen. l
fear we were crazy in getting married
while we were SO young.
We heard that people became rich We
ry fast in California, SO We concluded to
move and commence life in that distant
country. We gathered together the little
property we possessed and joined party
of emigrants consisting of So men, l2 wo-
men aud several children. The father
and brothers of my husband were among
this number There were in all twenty
two wagons, and the whole company was
placed under command of Mr.. Henry
Hickman. We started from Hunt Coun.
ty on the 9th Of April last. and took the
route for Ell Paso. We arrived at the
Guadalupe Mountains about the first OF
June. Here the Mescalero Apaches stole
! from us nineteen head ofcattle; six men
started in pursuit, but were driven back
! by the Indians. We went thence to
Ell Paso. My husband not being able to
travel we'll with Mr.. lIickman's train. I've
determind to remain at E Paso till the
arrival of another party OF Californit emf
grants. Five Of Mr.. HIS men staiI with
US. While here the Mexicans stole near
ly all the property we had, and left US un-
able to proceed on our journey. We could
do nothing now except make our way
back TO Texas.
About the last OF July we started on ouI
return, with the fragments of our proper
ty W hich the thieves had spared. On the
first day of August, my husband and his
father left US, and fell into the hands o
tie Indians l saw them no more after this
l was told that they had been murdered
You may perhaps be able to imagine my
feelings when found myself thus berea'
we'd and destitute in a land of strangers
NY misfortune seemed greater than
could bear, but knew not that heavier
trials were in store for me.
Unable TO continue my journey. re
turned to Ell Paso, where l remained til
September 8, when started once more
for Texas with my three brothers-in-la law
in company with a small party consisting
Of five Americans and one Mexican; MIR
Hart who owned and commanded this
train. having some business in Texas
which required his immediate attention
travelled very rapidly, and L hoped IN
few days more TO be in the midst of my
| friends.
AS we lad seen only one Indian on thu
route we flattered ourselves that we shoult
not be molestcd by any the tribes which
infest this route When near the border:
of Texas, some of our party stole three an
imals from Mr.. Hart, ,and ran OFT. Mr. liar
anxious to overtake the thieves, started
in pursuit, taking with him my eldes
broLher.in law, lad some fourteen year
OF aye, leaving myself, Mexican, and tn
two BOYS to follow as rapid as We could
| We were at this time within three day
Journey of a military post at Phantom
Hill. and were considered out OF danger
A discharged soldier being unable to keel
up with US was some distance behind
but 1 saw nothing of him after this
The day after Mr.. Hart left US, as we wer
travelling. about noon. We saw two Ca
mache Indians charging upon US in front
and at the same time two others were seeI
driving up behind. We were all yer!
much frightened, and The Mexican jump
ed out Of the wagon and went towards tn
| Indians, in order, il possible to gain friend
ship.
The mules of our wagon, four in nun p1