The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1854-02-16

! was born in Alton. Illinois, on the 18th
day Of June, 1897, and am, therefore, in the
l7ih year of my age. My fathers name
was William Smith; my mothers maiden
name was Jane Cox. had five brothers
1916 that we moved to Missouri and settled
at n boat landing or ferry, called jamestown
OH the North Grand Rive: My father KEEP,
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 ncighbors, 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 fe-
yer, and died in one week. I have three
sisters older than myself, named 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 neigh
bors thought that the medicine the doctor
gave her stopped her growth. She was a
dear child and we all loved her because of
her misfortune. NIere 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 be-
ginning life with a little property, consist
ing in cattle and horses. He was but l9
years of age when we were married. We
knew but little of life, for was no; yet l6.
| fear we were crazy in getting marrled
while we were soyoung. poor girl, when
her thoughts went back to this period OF
her life she wept as ii 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 gathered the little property
we possessed and joined a party of emf
grants, consisting of tif'y-two men, twelve
women and several children. The father
and brothers of my husband were among
this number. There were in all twenty-five
wagons, and the whole company was placed
under the comnand of Mr. Henry fIick.
man. We started from Hunt county on the
9th of April last, and took the route for r.
Paso We arrived at the Guadalupe Noun
calero Apaches stole from us nineteen head
Of cattle; 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 well with Mr.. Hickman 5
train, he determined to remain at Ell Paso
till the arrival Of another party of Calfor-
MIA emigrants Five of Mr.. HIS men staid
with us. While here, the MeXicans stole
nearly all the property we had and left Us
unable to proceed OH our journey. We
could do nothing now except make cur way
back to Texas.
About the last Of July we started on our
with the fragments of our property
which The thieves had s7ared. On the lst
day of August, my husband and his father
left us. and fell into the hands of the lndi-
ans. | saw them no more after this. |
was told that they had been murdered
You may perhaps be able to imagine my
feelings when found myself thus bereavcd
and destitute in land Of strangers. My
msfortunes seemed greater than could
bear, but knew not that heavier trials were
in store for me.
Unable to conclude my journey, retuTne
to Ell Paso, where | remained till Septem-
ber Sth, when | started once more for Tex
as with my three brothers-in-law, in compa-
ny with small party consisting OF f1ve
Americans and one Mexican. NJ. IT. TT
who owned and commanded this train, hav-
ing some business in Texas which required
his immediate attention, Travelled very rapid
ly, and hoped in few days more to be in
the midst of my friends.
As we had seen only one Indian on the
route we futtercd ourselves that we would
not be molested by any OF the tribes winch
infest this route. When near the borders
of Texas, some Of their party stole three
animals from Mr.. Hart and ran off. MIR.
Hart, anxious to overtake the thieves, start
ed in pursuit, taking with him my oldest
brothcr-in-law, lad some Ia 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 military post at Phantom Hill. and
were considered out of danger. dlscharg-
ed soldier being unable to keep 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 Camanchc Indians charging upon
US 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, il possible, to gain
their friendship.
The mules in our wagon, four IN number,
become frightened by the war whoop OF the
savagcs. turned out of the road and commen-
ced running as fast as they could. One oi
them fell down before he 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 har-
ness. While this was going on got out
of the wagon, and looked on in breathess
suspense. Aterthe mules were unharness-
ed, the Mexican was stripped of his clothing,
his hands tied behind his back, and ordered
to sit down on the ground. One OF them
sho, him with gun, while another stabbed
him several times with a 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
stupitied with horror as gazed on this spec.
tace, 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.
l.. Il. Il ma