The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-02-22

| che Indians.
was born in Alton, ILL.,, on the 18th o
June, 837, and am. therefore. in the sew
enteenih year of my age. Ny father.
name was William Smith; my mother,
maiden name was Cox. had five broth
ers and four sisters. / think it was in
1889 that we moved to Missouri and set
tied at boat.landing or. ferry. called
J jamestown. on the North Grand river
Ny father kept the ferry
About eight years ago we moved from
that place 10 Texas, and settled near Par.
is, in Lamar county. Here my father
and mother died within one day Of each
other, leaving six. orphan children behind
them.I Three of my brothers had died be.
fore thezdeath Of my parents My, eldes,
brother, who was in ranging company
now came home 10 settle my fathers al
fairs and make provision for our support
lie secured homes for US with the 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. 4
have three sisierse selder 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 neiehbors thought
that the medicine the doctor gave her
stopped her growth. She was dear child
and we all loved her because of her mis-.
fortune. (IIere Jane was unable to re.
strain her feelings, and burst into tears }
lived with several neighbors until the
first OF February, when was married to
Mr.. James Wilson, young farmer JUS,
beginning life with a little property, con.
sisting in cattle and horses. lie was bu,
nineteen years of age when we were mar.
ried. We knew but little of life, for was
not yet sixteen. fear we were crazy in
getting married 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 poople be.
came rleh very fas. in California; so we
concluded to move, and commence lie in
lhat distant country. We gathered to-
gether the little property we possessed,
and Joined party of emigran,s consisting
OF SO men, 12 women, and II children
The father and brother Of my husband
were among this number. There were in
all 20 wagons, and the, whole company
was placed under the command of Mr..
Henry Hickman. We started from Hunt
county on the 10th of April last, and tool,
the route for Ell Paso We arrived at the
GuadalouPe mountains about the frs. of
IIoro tho
from US 10 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 llickman's train, he determined 10 re-
main at Ell Paso till the arrival OF another
party OF California emigranis. Five of the
men stayed with US. While here, the
Mexicans stole nearly all the property we
had, and lett US unable to proceed on our
Journey. We could do nothing now. ex.
cept make our way back to Texas. About
the last of1July 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 lei,
US, and fell into the hands Of the Indians.
saw them no more after this. was told
that they had been murdered. Youmay
perhaps be able to imagine my feelings
when found myself thus bereaved and
destitute in land of strangers NV mis-
fortunes seemed greater than could bear.
but knew not that heavier trials were in
store for me. ~
Unable to continue my journey, re-
turned to Ell Paso, where l remained till
September 9th, when started once more
for Texas with my three brothers in law
in company with small party CONSISTING
Of five Americans and one Mexican. MIR
Hart, who owned and commanded this
train, having some business in Texas which
required his immediate attention. Travelled
very rapidly, and hoped in a few davs
more to be in the midst of nv friends. ;.
AS we had seen only one Indian ON the
route, we fiattered ourselves that we should
rot be molested by any of the tribes which
lntest this route. When near the borders
OF Texas, some of our own parry stole
three animals from Mr.. Hart. and ran off.
MT. Hart. anxious to overtake the thieves.
started in pursuit, taking with him nv eld.
est brother-in-law, "a lad some ID wears of
age. leaving myself, a Mexican. and the
two boys to follow az rapidly as we could.
We We're at this time within ahree day.
Journey Of a military post at Phantom Iill,