The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-12-01
From the MassuPin en- stAtssnasl
EIGHTEEN YEARS CAPTIVE AMONG THE
INDIANA

We were sisitea, few days ago, BY man By the
mama Of Joseph Barney, who ysthss he nin ssa .
Alton He made bic sscaps the ssh q isss ~ ~
from the Flat Head Indiana near the neae ~ 49, hesn
Heed Rivsr n o.eson Hs st.ssa v .ns We istsn-
- q, 49, isnsth 81 time 70 his history many POT
tiors 81 which are truly thrilling. ne Va M. II ~
sonef an ~ az ~, rompsny He native OF frsace,
ma ~saSs Z sish but poorly; but we give Tns, ne
COMMUNICATED to =. a. s,ss Jobp Robertson, both
- sam we're captared They attempted 20 detena
shsmselves and killed two lndians put tnoy Wete
ovs.poSs s,sS They were secured baud and foot,
snd nlsced on psnies, aud started 70 the Noftnwet
ward, and travelled FIVE weeks when they came %
siysn up to the chief WHO shook hands with them,
and manifested much joy a. their csptrre. They
wrs sa but no. allowed to escape The
Cd them his two daughters IL they would marry and
remain With the tribe. Finding escape utterly inn
cepted and the marriage took place. The fruits OF
this marriage were two children both OF which are
siil living, daughter sixteen, and son fourteen,
both of which he left with the tribe. Two years
ago. Robertson attempted to escape, but was re Ia
KEN scaped and burned alive leaving three children
the sss onS
put TO death but for the interpostion OF MS wire,
who was the daughter of the chief. During the
sased With his tribe in three battles-two with the
Black Neet, and one with tribe the name OF which
do not Known one OF which ne says over "
The uost ofthe time of bis captivity he lived on
the head OF the Columbia River, and at times az isl
the head Of the Fiat head kVs notsto oe
caiFss tea snythspg Of The kinds Living upon meat
OF moose. deer skunt, rattle snake turkey pIs,ne
han. DC Al the time he made his escape be wa
near Like Superior about sixty miles from .rsdins
post Of the American Fur Company Tie Chief anis
In. and While be was gone. Barney sccceeded 10
making oil the Indians dead drunk with the wniske
which had just been Received, giving one ana nh
took his bow and arrow, tomaha wk, pipe, two ana
half pounds tobacco flint ard steel, and two pounos
of meat being sll there Yves in the hut He started
and travelled all night having his dog along; the
next morning he killed his dog, to prevent MS re-
turning to give clue TO his trace
five miles he was ovorhauIed by his father.
1.-THE chiefs) dog whish he killed wi h his bow and
and then concealed himselfin the brush; while he
was thus concealed the chief passed by him; az he
passed the chief muttered to himself his
will take the left hand" Overhearing this Barney
availed himself of this Information. Following the
Ghetto the foot Of the moupa,n ne foudd, sure
he ascertained by the tracks Of his pony. de con
tnued his journey to the ess until about two hours
before daybreak on the next morning, when he SAT
down fatigued and hungry; after day light he kill
retteena eight feet four inches in length which
he roasted and ate for breakfast He kept on In the
same direction, when about o'clock be was over
hauled by his brotberin.law's dog, which be killed
immediately and passed on. On the next day, about
5oclock he was overhauled by another dog belong
ing to the tribe which he despa chez in the same
manner as the Others; after which he proceeded with
out any molestation, travelling four days without
daring TO build fire. only in the day time. He wa
seven weeks travelling before he came to any trbt
of Indians during which time he had spent weel
in DESPAIR not travelling expecting ever to reaci
habitaton OF the whites.
At the end of the above time he came to trib
which he calls the Tomahawks He was kindly treat
ed by them For fear of being taken egain, assure
them that he belonged to the Flat Heads and II
sesrsh of two crazy Indians who had made their es
cape. After asking se.'e questions in English con
corning the sscrAny indians" he departed and afcer
miles travel came to the Missouri River He mad
ataft of logs, and crossed over. Travelling due east
he continued his journey nine weeks before he al
rived at White Lake in Minnesota, during all O
which time he had subssted on game, VIII CHI he kill
ed with his bow and arrow. He remained Their
three days. and sold his accoutrements for clothing
and then made his way foI this State. He arrives
here In the
Barney 10 a man of considerable intelligence, an
passed during his captivity. He seems familiar wit
Indian hfe and gives many of their signs for deter
mining courses. cures for diseases, &c. He woul
like to his chi dren ssain. but would rather foreg
the pleasure than to 60 back and remain with tn
tribe. He was married soon after he came to thi
country, and lived in Otsego county, New Yorh
where his wife died; after which he was empoye
by the Fur Company. He is 6S years od, but st
seems active and hardy lie describes the countr
where he has been a. being the handsomest he eve
saw. Truly he has "seen the elephant" and If hi
story IL correct he tell of more trial s,trbuli
tons and adventures than any one now living