The Nevada journal., 1854-03-17

OF THE sCFFERIyGs OF MRS. JANE ADELTNE wn-
son, DURING HER CAPTIVITY AMONG
THE CAMANCHE INDIANS.
] was born in Alton, Illinois, on the ~ h
day of June, 1887, and am, therefore, in
the seventeeth year Of my age. My faith
er's name was VIM. Smith my mothers
brothers and four sisters. think it was
in 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.
One of my brothers, who was in ranging
company, now came to settle my fathers
affairs and make provisions 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 ffem his place where
he left Us, he WIS attacked by the winter
fever, and died in one week have three
sisters older than myself. Their names
are Elizabeth, Cynthia and Caroline. My
brother James and sister Ellen are younger
shan myself. Ellen was four years old
when my parents died. Caroline is a
dwarf, AMI the neighbors thought that the
medicine the doctor gave her stopped her
Growth. She was dear child, and we
all loved her because of her misfortune.
f Here Jane was unable to restrain her
feelings, and burst into tears | lived
with several nelghbors until the first of
last February, when | was married to
James Wilson, young farmer, Just be-
ginning life with little property, consist
ING in horses and cattle. He was but nine
teen years Of age when we were married.
We knew but little about life, for was not
vet sixteen, fear we were crazy in get
ting marri-d while we were so young
TPoor 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 in California, so we concluded
.s move and commence life in that distant
country. We gathered together the little
property We possessed and joined a party
Of emigrants consisting of tiity-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 COM
pany was placed under the command Of
Henry Hickman. We started from Hunt
County on the 6 h of April last, and took
the route for Ell Paso. We arrived at the
Guadalupe 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
che Indians. We went thence TO Ell Paso.
My husband not being able to travel well
with Mr.. Hickman's train, he determined
10 remain at FL Paso till the arrival OF
another party of California EN- migrants.-
Five of Mr.. Fl s men staid with us. While
here, the Mexicans stole nearly all the
property we had, and left us unable to pro-
ceed on our journey. We could do moth
ing now except make our way back to
Texas.
About the last of July we started on
our return, with the fragments of our prop
erty which the thieves had spared. On
the first day of August, my husband and
his father left US, and fell into the hands
ofthe Indians. saw them no more after
this. was told tina: they had been MUIR
dered. You may perhaps be able to i'm.
agine my feeling when found myself thus
bereaved and destitute in the land of stran.
gers My misfortune seemed greater than
I conld bear, but knew not that heavier
trials were in store for me.
Unable to continue my Journey, return
ed to Ell Paso, where | remained TIL Sep
tember, when started once more for Tex
as with my three brothers .in-law, in com
papy with a small party consisting of hve
Americans and MEXICAN. Mr.. Hart, whc
owned and commanded this train, having
some business in Texas which required hi
immediate attention, travelled very rapidly
and hoped in few days more to be il
the midst of my friends.
AS we had only one Indian on the route
wa fattered ourselves that we should no
be molested by any of the tribes which in
fest the route. When near the border
Of Texas. some of our party stole tnre'
animals from MIR. Hart, and ran OH. MI
Hart, anxious to overtake the thieves, start
ed in pursuit, taking with him my eioes
brother-in-laws lad some IA years OF age
leaving myself, a Mexican, and the tw' "!
bows to follow as rapidly as we could. W.
were at this time within three days Jour
new of a military post at Phantom Hill
and were considered out of danger. A dis
charged soldier being unable to keep ul
with us was some distance behind. ONT
.u .e4h;nn nf him after this. NE ga,