Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-03-02

eiiue w HSOu, WIZ, IL Will De Iemem Dered
was taken captive by the Camanche Iudi.
ans, and after almost incredible hardships
and dangers, has recently been released
She is represented as being young woman
of prepossessing appearance, modest and
unassuming, and Of remarkably strong
mind. Although the narrative is quite
long, we publish it entire, believing that
nothing could be more interesting.
| A Narrative
! Of the suferings of Ms Jane Adezine
lftlson, during her captirity among
the Can01ache Indians
was born in Alton, Illinois. on the
18th day of June, 1887, aud am. therefore.
IN the 18th year of my age My fathers
name was William Smith my mothers
maiden name was Jane Cox I had five
brothers and four sisters. think it was
IN the year 1916 that we moved to Mis-
souri and settled at boat landing or fer
ry, 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. 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 fer US with different neighbors, but
took the youngest sister, our pet, with him
to place her witt. 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 older than myself, named Elizabeth.
Cynthia, and Caroline Ny brother
James and sister Ellen are Younger than
myself Ellen was four years old when
my parents died Caroline is dwarf
and the neighbors thought that the medi-
cine the doctor gave her stopped her
growth. She was dear child and we all
loved her because of her misfortune
(Here Jane was unable to restrain her
feelings, aud burst into tearsl | lived
with several neighb RS until the first of
last February. when | r~as n4arried TO Mr.
James Wilson, young farmer Just begin
nlng life with a little property, consisting
IN cattle aud horses. He was but -
years of age when We were married We
knew but little of life, for | was not vet
10 fear we were crazy in getting mar
ried while We were SO young poor girl,
when her thoughts went back to this pc.
riod Of her life she wept as if 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 party of emf
grants, 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
two wagons. and the whole company was
placed under the command of Mr.. Henry
Hickman We started from Hunt county
on the 9th of April last, and took the
route for El Paso. We arrived at the
Guadaloupe Mountains about the lst of
June. Here the Mascalero Apaches sole
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's train he
determined to remain at FL Paso till the
arrival of another party of California en-
igrants. Five of Mr. II s men staid with
us While here, the Mexicans stole nearly
all the property we had, and left us una
BILE 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 lst day of August, my husband
and his father left US, and fell into the
hands of the Indians. ] 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 bereaved and destitute in
land of strangers. My misfortunes seem
ed greater than [ could bear, but knew
not that heavier trials were in store for
me.
Unable to conclude my journey, 1 re-
turned to Ell Paso, where | remained till
September Sth, when | started once more
for Texas with my three brothers in law,
in company with small party consisting
or FIVE Americans and one Mexican Mr..
train, having some business in Texas which
required his immediate attention, travelled
very rapidly, and | hoped in a few days
more to be in she midst of my friends
As VIZ had seen only one Indian on the
route we Aattered ourselves that we should
not be molested by any one of the tribes
which infest this route. When near the
borders of Texas, some of their party 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-in-iaw, lad some fourteen
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 cut of
danger A discharged soldier being una
bic to keep up with US was some distance
behind. huJ I saw nothing Of him after
this he day after Mr. Hart left US. as
I tvCa