The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-03-02
A Thrilling Narrative.

cital of the suferings of young married
lady, of about seventeen years of age
during her captivity, by the Camanche
Indians. 1t appears that Mrs. Wilson
with her husband and family, were re.
turning by land from disastrous jour
ney to California, from which they were
obliged to desist, by the depredations
committed on them by Indians and Mex
leans. They had left their home in Tex
as on the 9th of Apri!in 1852.
About the last of July we started on
our return with the fragments of our prop
erty which the thieves had spared On
the 6rst'day of August, my husband and
| his father left US, and fell into the hands
| Of tic Indians, / saw them no more after
this. I was told that they had been
murdered. You may perhaps, be able to
imagine my feelings when l found myself
thus bereayed and destitute in a land of
strangers. My misfortune seemed great
er than | could bear, but knew not that
heavier trials were in store for me.
Unable to continue my journey, I re-
| turned to El Paso; where | remained till
| September 8, when | started once more
f! 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 I hoped in a
few days more to be in the midst of my
friends.
As we had seen only one Indian on the
route, we fattered ourselves that we 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, and lad some
fourteen years of age leaving myself, a
Mexican and the two boys to follow on as
rapidly as we could. We were at this
time within three days journey of a mil
itary post at Phantom Hill, and were con-
sidered out of danger
A discharged soldier, being unable to
keep up with US, was some distance be-
hind, but | saw nothing of him after this.
The day after Mr.. Hart left US, as we
were travelling about noon we saw two
Camanche Indians charging upon US in
front, and at the same time two others
were seen driving up behind. We were
very much frightened and the Mexican
jumped out of the wagon and went to-
ward the Indians, in order, if possible to
gain their friendship.
The mules of our wagon, four in num-
Der becoming frightened by the war
whoop of the savages, turned out of the
road and commenced running as fast as
they could. One of them fell down be-
fore we had gone far, aud the others were
then obliged to stop. The Indians now
came upon US and ordered the Mexican
to take the mules out of the harness.
While this was going on, got out of the
wagon and looked on in breathless sus-
pense. After the mules were unharness-
ed, the Mexican was stripped of his cloth
ing, his hands tied behind his back, and
ordered to sit down upon the ground.
One Of them went behind him and
shot him with gun, while another stab
bed him several times with large butch
er knife. His scalp was cut off before he
was dead, and put on his own hat; the hat
was then worn by one of his murderers. [
was stupefed with horror as | gazed on
this spectacle, and supposed that my turn
would come next. But the Indians hav-
ing secured the plumber Of the wagon,
mounted us on the mules and ordered us
/ to 90 with them.
/ As | left, looked back and saw the
poor Mexican weltering in his blood and
still breathing.
We took northeast direction, and
Travelled slowly till sunset when we en-
camped. Here the plumber, consisting
of blankets, bedding. clothing, brides,
and 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 COW
er my person. In the distribution of the
captives the eldest boy, about twelve
years of age, was claimed by the chief; l
became the property of one of the others.
/ should have mentioned, that one of our
captors was Mexican, who had been
stolen from the state of chihuahua when
an infant He was now as savage as the
Indians, and claimed the youngest boy
for his prize. The scalp of the Mexican
was stretched on a stick and dried by the
fire.
After 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 savages. My feet were
tied together, and | was obliged to lie be-
tween the other two. did not sleep any
during the night, for / was afraid of be-
ing killed.
The next day we resumed our journey
! au6 Travelled in the same direction The