Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-02-23


to proceed OH our journey. We could do
nothing now except to make our way
back to Texas.
/ About the last Of July we started OH
our return. with the fragments of our
property which the thieves had spared.-
j On the first day Of August. my husba nj
and his father left US. and fell into the
| hands of some OF the Indians. saw
them no more after this. | was told that
they had been murdered. You may per-
aps be able to imagine my feelings when
| found myself thus bereaved and desti-
tute in land of strangers My misfor-
| tune seemed grea ter than could bear, but
| knew not that heavier trials were i'm
store for me.
! Unable TO continue my journey. re-
turned TO Ell Paso. where | rem ined ill
September Sth. when started once more
for Texas with my three brothers in law,
III company with a small party consisting
! OF five Americans 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 b; in the midst OF
friends.
As We had seen only one Indian on the
route. we hattered ourselves that we
shonll not be molested By any of The
tribes which infes: this route. When
near the borders of Texas, some of our
own parry stole three animals from Mr..
Hart. and ran off. Mr.. Hart. anxious to
overtake the thieves, started in pursuit
taking with him my Oldest brother.n.
law. lad some fourteen years OF age
! leaving myself. Mexican, AMI the two
. boys to follow as rapidly as We could
We were at this time within three DAYS
journey oi military post a! 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 afser this. The
| day after Mr.. Hart left US. as we were
travelling. about noon, we saw two Co
minche Indians charging upon US in front
! dui dt the same time two others were
seen driving up behind. We were all
very much frightened, AMI the Mexican
jumped out of the wagon and went to-
wards the lniianS. in order, if possible.
10 gain their friendship.
Ihs mules in our wagon, four in mum.
Der. becoming frightened by the war
whooP Of the savases. turned out of the
ROAD and commenced running as fast as
they could. One of then, fell down be-
tore we had gone far. and the Others were
tien Obliged to stop. The Indians now
came upon US, aud ordered the Mexican
! 10 take the mules out of The harness.-
While this was going on. go, out OF the
wagoa. and looked on in breaihless sus.
pense. After the mules were unharness-
ed' The Mexican was stripped Of his clo-
ihlnS, ms hands tied behind his back.
ana ordered 10 sit down upon the ground.
Ohe oil them then went behind him and
shot him with gun. while another stab
oea ..in several times with large butch
er hniie. His sea p was cut off before he
Was dead. and put into his own hat; the
nat was then worn by one of the murder.
ers- l was supplied with horror as |
5azed OIL this spectacle. and supposed
tnds my turn would come next. But the
indians having secured the punder of
the wagon. mounted US on the mules and
ordered US to go with them.
AS L left. looked back and saw the
poor Mexican welterins in his blood, and
sti breathing.
We took a northeast direction and
travelled slowly till sunset. when we en-.
camped Here the plumber consisting of
oiarkets' bedding. clothing. brides, aud
some money which had IN my pocket.
was divided among the Indians. Some
articles considered useless were thrown
into the fire. My clothing was taken
away. except barely enough to cover my
person. In the distribution Of the cap
lives. the eldest boy. about twelve years
of age. was claimed by the chief; | bs.
came the property Of one Of the others.
should have mentioned that one of our
captors was Mexican, who had been sto
len from the stale Of chihuahua when an
'n'dnt. de was now as savage as the In
dianS. and claimed the youngest boy as
his prize. The scalp of the Mexican was
then stretched on stick and dried by the
! fire.
Alter giving US some meat for our sup.
per. 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 Ny fee,
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.
aud travelled in tho same direction. The
boys were mounted on good animals. and
had bows and arrows. Their faces were
painted Indian fashion. and they looked
like young savages. They appeared to
enjoy this new mode of life and were
] I'll .sI. n