The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-12-22
From bie -IlacoHPtR (Hl.J SfaffSa9H
Eightcen Years Captive aiEcEg the gn-
iiaas.

We were visited, few days ago, BY man
bv The name Of Joseph Barney, " ho says That
he is IN search OF son, whom he supposes 10
live soueu here near Alton. He made his
cape. on the 9th of MAY last, from the Flat
Head Indians, near the Flat Head river, in Ore
ron. lie stated that he has been with this
tribe OF lndlaus eighteen years. We listened
for some length Of time 10 his history, many
portions Of which are truly thrilling. He was
taken prisoner in 1888, on the upper Missouri
river, whiip in the employ oil fur company.
He is native OF France, aud speaks English
poorly but we give what he communicated to
as as neariy as possible He was with man
L., the name 4f john Robvttson, both of whom
were captured. They attempted to defend theni
selves, and killed two oi the Indians, but they
were overpUwered-there being twenty-five In
dams 10 contend with. They Wrre secured hand
and foot, and placed on ponies, and started to
the northward, Travelled five weeks, when they
came 70 the hunting ground OF the tribe, where
they were given up to the chief. who shock
hands with them, and manifested much JOY at
their capture. They were unbound and confn-
ed in hut, where they were fed, but not al
lowed to escape The chief offered them lis
two daughters ii they would marry and remain
bic for the time, the terms wer. accepted, and
tn marriage took place. Tie lrnits Of this
marriage yyere tWo children. both Of which are
still living, a daughter sixteen, and son four
teen, both of which hp left with the tribe
Two years ago. Robertson attempted 10 escape,
bat as retakeg, ScalpeG, and hnrled alive, lrav-
ng three chiidrtn with the tribe. Seven years
ago, Rarnry attempted to escape, but was recap
tu5ed and would have been pat to death bnt for
the interpoSition Of bis wife. who was the
daughter OF the chief During the time Of his
captivity, Barney states, that he was engaged
with MS tribe in three battles-t"o with the
Black Feet. and one with tribe the name of
which we do not known one OF which he
SAYS over seventy Black Feet were killed.
The most Of the time Of his captivity he liv-
ed on the head of the COLUMBIA river, aud at
times as far Up IS the head OF Fiat Head river.
During this eighteen years, he saw neither salt,
bread, potatoes, coffee, TIA. or anything OF the
kind, living upon meat OF mooSe, deer, skunk,
rattlesnake, turkey, prarie hens, &c. AT the
time he made his escape he was near Lake Su-
perior about sixty miles from trading post OF
The American Fur Company. The chief ibis
iather-in-Iawl was doctor, and on the 10Th OF
Nav left and While he was gone, Barney sue
cepded in making all the indians dead drunk
with the whiskey which he had just received,
giving one and half pint TO zach Indian. AZ
ter they were asleep, he took hiS bow and ar
row, tomahawk, pipe, two and ball pounds OF
tobacco, flint and steel, aud two pounds otmeat,
being all there was in the hut. H. started and
travelled all night, having his dog along the
next morning he killed his dog, to prevent his
returning to give clue to his trace,
About | / o'clock the same dav, when about
thirty-ive miles, was overhaulrd by his father
n-law's Hhe chipi's) dog which he killed with
his bow and arrow, and carried the carcass away
from the path aud concealed himself in the
hrush while he was thus concealed the chief
muttered to himself, in his language-"l will
rass this mountain and at the foot OF II / will
take to the leit hand" Over hearing this, Bar
nev avalrd himself Of this information. Fol-
lowing the chief to the mountain. he found. sure
enough. that he had taken the left hand road,
which he ascerlained by the tracks OF his pony.
He continued his journey TO the east until about
two hours before davbreak on the next morning.
when he sat down, iatisued and hungry after
DAYLIGHT he killed rattlesnake eight feet four
inches m length. which he roasted and ate for
breakfast. He kept on in the same direction,
when about five o'clock he was overbauled by
bis brotber-in-!aw's dog he killed it Immediate
ly and passed on. On the next day, about five
O'Clock he was oyefhauled by another dog be-