Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-02-07
A MAR r ATIVE

! A NARRATIVE
Of the Sufferings ofMrs Jane Adeline Wilson
during her Captivity among the Camanchs
! Indians.
was born in Alton, Illinois, on the
18th day of June, 1887, and am, there.
fore, in the seventeenth year of my age.
My fathers name was William Smith
my mothers maiden name was Jane Cox.
| had five brothers and four sisters. l
think it was in the year 1916 that we
moved to Missouri, and settled at boat
landing or ferry called jamestown, on the
North Grand River. My father kept 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. NV
eldest brother, who was in a ranging
company, now came to settle my father S
affairs and make provision 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 | have
three sisters elder than myself. Their
names are Elizabeth, Cynthia, and Caro-
line. My brother James and sister Ellen
are younger than myself. Ellen was four
years old when my parents died. Caro-
line is dwarf, and the neighbors thought
that the medicines the doctors gave her
stopped her growth. She was a dear
child and we all loved her because of her
misfortune. Here Jane was unable to
restrain her feelings, and burst into tears. I
lived with several neighbors until the
first of last February, when was mar
ried to Mr.. James Wilson, young far
mer, just beginning life, with a little
property, consisting of horses and cattle.
He was but nineteen years of age when
we were married. We knew but little of
life, for | was not yet sixteen. | fear
we were crazy in getting married while
We were so young. Poor girl when
her thoughts went back to this period Of
her life, she wept as if her heart would
break.
We had heard that people became rich
very fast III California, SO we concluded
to move and commence life in that distant
country. We gathered together the little
property we possessed and Joined a party
of emigrants consisting of fifty two men,
twelve women and several children. The
father and brother of my husband were
among this number. There were in all
twenty-five wagons, and the whole com
pany was placed under the command of
MIR. Henry Hickman. We started from
Hunt county on the 9th of April last, and
took the route for Ell Paso. We arrived
at the Goundalupe Mountains about the
lst of June. Here the Mescalero Apaches
stole from us nineteen head Of cattle; six
men started in pursuit, but were driven
back by the Indians. We went thence
10 Ell Paso. My husband not being able
to travel with Mr.. Hickman's train he
deteripined to remain at Ell Paso till the
arrival of another of California cmigrants.
Five of Mr.. H. s men staid with u.s.
While here, the Mexicans stole nearly all
the property we had, and left us unable
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
our return, with the fragments of our
property which the thieves had spared.
On the first day of August, my husband
and his father left us, and fell into the
hands of the Indians. | saw them 10
more after this. was told that they
had been murdered. You may perhaps
be able to imagine my feelings when |
found myself thus bereaved and destitute
in land of strangers. My misfortune
seemed greater than | could bear, but |
knew not that heavier trials were in store
for me.
Unable to continue my journey, 1 re-
turned to Ell Paso, where | remained till
September 8, when | started once more
for Texas with my three brothers in law.
in company with 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 l hopedin
few days more to be in the midst of nv
friends.
As we had seen only one Indian on the
route we efatteret. ourselves thatwe should
not be molested by any of the tribes
which infest this route. When near the
borders of Texas, some of our party stole
three animals from Mr.. Hart, and ran
off. Mr.. Hart, anxious to oyertake the
thieves, started in pursuit, taking with
him my eldest brother-in-law, a lad some
fourteen years of age, leaving myself a
Mexican, and the two boys to follow as
rapidly as We could. We were at this
time within three days journey of mill
tary post at Phantom Hall, and were
considered out of danger. A discharged
soldier being unable to keep up with us
was some distance behind, but l saw
nothing Of him after this. The day after
MIR. Hart left us, as we were travelling,
about noon, we. saw two Camanche Indi-
ans charging upon us in front, and at the