The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1854-02-22
MRS. WILSON'S NARRATIVE
OF HER CAPTIVITY AND sUFFERtNGs AMONG
TIE CANANcHE INDIANS.

OF HER CAPTIVITY AND sUFFERENGs AMONG
THE CANANcHE INDIANS.
was born IN Alton, Illinois, ON the l2 Ii
day Of June, 1887, and am, therefore, in
the seventeenth year Of my age. About
eight years ago we moved from this place
10 Texas, and settled near Paris, in Lamar
county. Here my father and mother died
within one day OF each other, leaving six or
phan children behind them. [ lived with
several neighbors until the first of February,
when | was married to Mr.. James Wilson.
young farmer, just beginning life. with a
little property. He was but nineteen years
OF f.age When we. were married; | was not
slxren.
We had iicard that people became rich
very fast in California; so we concluded to
move and commence life in that distant
country. We gathered together the little
property we possessed, and joined q party
"f emlsrants, consisting Of hfty-rwo men,
Twelve women, and several chdred. There
Were IN all twenty-five wagons, and the
whole company was placed under the com.
mand OF Mr.. Henry Hickman. We started
'rom Hun county on the 9th Of April last,
and took the route for El Pase. We arri
we'd at the Guadalupe mountains about the
LIST OF June. Here the Mascalero Apacbes
stole from us nine teen head Of cattle Six
men started in pursuit, but were driven back
by the lndianss We went thence to Ell
faso. Ny husband not being able to trav.
q well with MIR HickmaL's train, he de-.
termlned to remain at E Paso till the ar
rival Of another party OF California emf.
grants While here, the Mcycans stole
nearly all the property we had, aud left us
: unable to proceed on our journey. We
could DO nothing now except make our way
back to Texas. ~ ,
Aboat the last OF July we started no our
return, with the fragments Of oIr property,
which the thieves had spared. On the first
DAY OF August, my husband and his-father
lelt us, and fell into the hands of the Indi.
ans. | saw them no more after this.
was told that they had been muriered.>-
You may, perhaps, be able to imagine my
feelings when found myself thus Sereaved
and destitute in land OF strangers. Ny
mlsfortu1es seemed greater than / could
bear, but knew MT that hsaver trials were
in store for me. 1855 a&
Unable to continue my journey. return
ed to FL Paso, where | remained till Sep
iember 8, when | started once more for
Texas with my three brothers-in law, in
company with a small party, consisting Of
five Americans and one Mexican. Mr..
Hart, who owned the command of this
train, having some business in Texas which
required his immediate attention, Travelled
very rapidly, and hoped in few days
snofe 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 moIested by any of the tribes which
idfest thi. route. When ne n the borders
OF Texas, some Of our party stole three an
nimas from Mr.. Hart, anxious to oyertake
the thieves. started in pursuit, taking with
him my eldest orother.in.law, and lad some
fourteen years of age, leaving myself, a
Mexican, and the two boys to follow as rap.
idly as we conuId. We were at this time
within three days journey Of military
post at Phantom hill. and were considered
out Of danger. aH&
- ulSNhdiScu soiulcTb DelnS unaD.e 10
keep up with u.s. was some distance behind;
but saw nothing OF him after this. The
day after Mr.. Hart left MS, as we were tray
elllng about noon, we saw two Camanche
lndiscs charging upon US in front and al
The canne time two others were seen driving
up behind We were all very much fright
shed, and the Mexican jumped out Of the
Wagon and went towards The Indians, in
order, Il possible, to gain their friendship,
The mules Of our wagon four in mum btr,
becoming frightened by the war-whoop OF
The savages, turned out Of the road and
commenced running as fast ss they could
One Of them fell down before We had gone
tar, and the Others were then obliged to
stop. The Indians now came upon is and
ordered the Mexican TO take the mules out
Of The harness. While this was going on,
/ got out Of The wagon. aud looked on ii
hreathless suspense. After The mules we're
.4Lainyssrd, lAe Mexican was stripped ot