Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1854-02-18


time two others were seen driving u
behind. We were all very much frigh
tened, and the Mexicans jumped out Q
the wagon and wentioward the Indian
in order if possible, to gain their friend
ship. 3'".i '' a'' '
The mules Of ourwagon, four in mum
bcr becoming frightened with the wa
whoop ofthc savages, turned out of th'
road and commenced running as fast a
they could. One of,hem fell down be
fore we had gone fur, and the other'
were then obliged to stop. The indians
now came upon Us and ordered th'
Mexican 10 take the mules out Of the
harness. While this was going Oh.
got ou. of the wagon, and looked on If
t6reathIcss suspense. After the mules
wero embarrassed, the Mexican was
stripped of his clothing, his hands tied
behind his back, aud ordered to sit down
upon the ground. Ono of them wen
behind him aud shot him with gun
while another stabbed several times
with a large butcher.knifc. His scals
was cut off before he was dead, and pu
into his own hat; the hat was then wort
by one of his own murderers. | was
stupefed with horror as gazed on shi:
spectacle. and supposed that my turn
would como next. But the Indians
having secured the plumber ofthe wa
gon, mounted US on the mules, and or
deled us to 60 with them. .s.u
As ileft, lonked back and saw the
poor Mexican wcltering in his blood,
and still breathing.
We took northeast direction and
travelled slowly till sunset, when we
encamped. Here the plunder, consist
ing Of blankets, bedding, clothing, bri
dies, and some money which | had ii
my pocket. was divided among the In
dians: Some articles considered use
less were thrown into the fire. My clio
thing was taken away, except barely 9
nough to cover my person. In the dis
tribution of the captives, the eldest boy
about 1a years ofage, was claimed by
tho chief became the property O.
one of tho others. i should have mon
toned that one Of our rcuptors was Mex
ican, who had been stolen from the state
Of Chihuahua, when aninfant. He was
now as savage as the Indians, and clai
met, the youngest boy for his prize
The scalp Of the Mexican was stretch
cd on astick and dried BY the fire.
After giving us some meat for ou'
supper, tho Indians began to secure US
for the night. The boys with their arm:
tied tightly behind them, were taken un'
der guard by TWO of the savages. My
feet were tied together; aud was obi.
ged to lie between the other two. die
not sleep any during tho night, for wa:
afraid Of being killed.
Tho next day wo resumed our jour
ney. and travelled in thesams direction
The boys were mounted on good ami
mails and had bows and arrows. Theil
faces were painted Indian fashion, anc
they looked like young savages. The,
appeared to enjoy this new mode cflifi
and were never treated with excessive
cruelty. l was mounted on gooc
horse, but being obliged to sit astride
the animal, tho journey was exceeding
ny painful. ...
Ihad fine head Of hair which valu
ed very much. but the chief ordesed it le
be cut of. was not aiittle mortified
in seeing it decorating the head of the
lieartlcss sayages. My head was thu
left entirely unprotected from the in
tonsely hot rays ofthe sun.
Nothing Of interest occurred excep
repeated acts Of finhumanity toward me
until the 18th day after my capture
AT this time we were joined by two In
dian men aud squaw. These were al
the Indians saw until after my escape
Up to this time my sutferings had beer
SO severe az to take from me- all desii,
10 live but nowirhe ywere greatly increu
sed. The sqhaw, from whom ! nigh
have expected some compassion, wa
evidently tho cause OF tho new crueltio
which l now began to experience. b
My horso was taken from mo, and
was mounted on an unbroken mus with
out bridle. had saddle but it wa
worn out and good for nothing but t.
torture me. This animal would frc
quently top me overi its head of its ow,
accord, but not being wild enough t
crafty tho malice Of the Indians, tn
chief would sometimes shake the Mex
cans scalp before it's eyes. Tho beas
would then roar aud plunge in the Ut
most fright, and would be thrown upo
the ground with great violence. l hav
been tossed from tho mules buck as ma
ny as half dozen times day, aud ono
l was SO stunned that | lay considera
bio time beforc my senses returned
My repeated falls greatly amused til
Indiana, whose horrid peals Of laughte
might have beon heard q, agreat dis
tancc. ... ..-.... .......
never saw them exhibit the frs
sign of pity toward me, 1t made n
difference how badly | was hurt, if