Washington sentinel., 1854-02-09
Mrs. wilson's Narrative
Of her capticity and sufiain9s among the Ca
ganche Indians.

mafche Indians.
/ was born in Alton. Illinois, on the 18th
day of June, 1887, and am, therefore, in the
seventeenth year of my age. 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. ! lived with several neighbors
until the first of last February, when / was
married to Mr.. James Wilson, a young farmer,
just beginning life, with a little property. He
was but nineteen years Of age when we were
married l was not sixteen.
We had heard 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 party of emigrants, con-
sisting of fifty-two men, twelve women, and
several children. There were in all twenty-five
wagons, and the whole company was placed
under the command Of Mr. Henry Hickman
We started from Hunt county on the 9th Of
April last, and took the route for Ell Paso
We arrived at the Guadalupe mountains about
the lst of June. Here the Mascalero Apaches
stole from us nineteen head of cattle. Six men
started in pursuit, but we're driven back by the
Indians. We went thence to Ell Paso. My
husband not being able to travel we'll with Mr..
Hickman's train, he determined to remain at
Ell Paso till the arrival of another party of Cal
ifornia emigrants. While here, the Mexicans
stole nearly all the property we had, and left
us unable to proceed on our journey. We
could do nothing now except make our way
back to Texas.
About the last of July we started on our re-
turn, with the fragments of our property, which
the thieves had spared. On the first day Of
August, my husband and his father left us, and
fell into the hands of the Indians. / saw them
no more after this. / was told that they had
been murdered. You may perhaps, be able
to imagine my feelings when I found myself
thus bereaved and destitute in land Of stran-
gers. Ny misfortune seemed greater than
could bear, but knew not that heavier trials
were in store for me.
Unable to continue my journey, | returned
to I'll Paso, where | remained till September
:, when | started once more 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 com.
manded this train, having some business in
Texas which required his immediate attention,
travelled very rapidly, and | hoped in few
days more to be in the midst of my friends.
AS we had seee 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 of. Mr.. Hart, anxious to overtake the
thieves, started in pursuit, taking with him my
eldest brothcr-in-law and a lad some fourteen
years of age, leaving myself, Mexican, and
the two boys to follow as rapidly as we could.
We were at this time within three days. Journey
of a military post at Phantom hill, and were
considered out of danger.
A discharged soldier, being unable to keep
up with US, was some distance behind; 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 all
very much frightened and the Mexican jumped
out of the wagon and went ttowards the Indians,
in order, if possible, to gain their friendship.
The mules of our wagon, four in number, be-
coming 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 before we had gone far, and 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 suspense. After the mules were
embarrassed, the Mexican was stripped Of his
clothing, his hands tied behind his back, and
he was ordered to sit down upon the ground
One of them went behind him and shot him
with gun, while another stabbed him several
times with large butcher knife. His scalp
was then cut off before he was dead, and put
into his own hat; the hat was then worn by
one of his murderers. / was stupifed with
horror as / gazed on this spectacle, and sup
posed that my turn would come next. But the
Indians, having secured the plunder of the wa
gon, mounted us on the mules and ordered me
to go with them.
As left, looked back and saw the poor
Mexican weltering in his blood, and still breath
ing.
We took northeast direction, and travelled
slowly till sunset, when we encamped. Here
the plumber, consisting of blankets, bedding,
clothing, bridles 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, ex
cept barely enough to cover my person. In
the distribution of the captives, the eldest boy
about twelve years of age, was claimed by the
chief; 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 in
fant. He was now as savage as the Indians,
and claimed the youngest boy for his prize
The scalp of the Mexican was stretched on
stick and dried by the. fire.
After giving us some meat for our supper
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
Ny feet were tied together, and was obliged
to lie between the other two. | did not sleep
any during the night, for was afraid of being
killed
The next day we resumed our journey, and
travelled in the same direction. The boys were
mounted on good animals, and had bows and
arrows. Their faces were painted Indian
fashion, and they looked like young savages.
They appeared to enjoy this new mode Of life,
and were never treated with excessive cruelty. |
was mounted on good horse, but being
obliged to sit astride the animal, the journey
was exceedingly painful.
l had fine head ofhair, which valued very
much, but the chief ordered it to be cut off. |
was not little mortified in seeing it decorat.
ing the heads of the heartless savages NV |
head was thus left entirely unprotected from