Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-12-27
Is YEARS A CAPTIVE AMONG THE I,DI,yS

from the Flat Head Indians. near the beal
, of the Flat Head River, in Oregon. He
stated that he has been with this tribe o.
indians eighteen years. We listened for
some length of time to his history. many
portions of which are truly thrilling He
was taken prisoner in 1886 on the Upper
Missouri River, while in the employ of a
fur company. lie is a native of France
and speaks English but poorly but we
give what he communicated to US as near
ly as possible He was in company with
man by the name of John Robertson.
both OF whom were captured They at,
tempted to defend themselves, aud killed
two Indians, but they were overpowered
there being twenty-five Indians to con-
tend with. They were secured hand and
foot and placed on ponies. and started to
The northwestward, and travelled five
weeks when they came to the hunting
ground of the tribe, where they were Civ
en- up to the chief, who shook hands with
them, and manifested much Joy at their
capture. They were unbound and con-
hned IN hut, where they were fed. but
not allowed to escape The chief offered
them his two daughters, if they would
marry and remain with the tribe. Find
ing escape utterly impossible, for the time
being, the terms were accepted and the
marriage took place. The fruits of this
marriage were two children, both of which
/ are still living, a daughter. sixteen. and a
/ son, fourteen, both of which be lef. with
! the tribe Two years ago Robertson at
| tempted to escape, but was retaken scalp
ed and burned alive, leaving three children
! with the tribe. Seven years ago. Barney
attempted to escape, but was recapturcd.
! and would have been put to death but for
the interposition of his wife. who was the
daughter of the chief During the time
of his captivity, Barney states that he was
engaged with this tribe in three battles
two with the Black Feet, and one with a
| tribe the name of which we do not know
in one of which he says over seventy
Black Feet we're killed.
The most of the time of his captivity
he lived on the head of the Columbia Riv-
or, and at times as far up as the head of
the Flat Head River. During this eigh-
teen years, he saw neither, bread. potatoes.
coffee, tea, or anything of the kind liv-
ing upon meat of moose, deer, skunk, rat
tie snake, turkey. prairie hens, &c At
the time he made his escape he was near
Il
trading post of the American Fur Com |
pany. The Chief. Qhis athcr-in-law) was
a doctor, and on the 18th of May left, and |
while he was gone, Barney succeeded in |
making all the Indians dead drunk. with |
whiskey which had just been received, |
giving one and half pint to each Indian
After they were asleep. he toek his bow
and arrow, tomahawk. pipe, two and half
FOL Htnf cto
pounds of meat, being all there was in the |
hut. He started and travelled all night. |
having his dog along the next morning |
he killed his dog to prevent his returning
to give a clue to his track
About | o'clock the same dav. when
about 35 miles he was overhauled by his
father in-law's (the chiefs dog, which he
killed with his bow and arrow, and carri-
ed his carcass away from the path. and /
then concealed himsefin the bush while
he was thus conscaled the chief passed L
him. and passing muttered to himself IN
his language-"I will pass this mountain
and at the foot of it | viii take the left
hand " Overhearing this information
Following the chief to the foot of the
mountain, lie found, sure enough, he had
taken the left hand road which he ascer-
tanned by the tracks of his pony. He
continued his journey to the east until
about two hours before daybreak on the
next morning, when he sat down fatigued
and hungry; after daylight he killed
rattlesnake eight feet four inches in length,
which he roasted and ate for his break
fast. He kept on the same direction
when about ) o'clock he was overhauled
by his fatherin laws dog. which he killed
Immediately and passed On. On the next
day. about 5 o'clock he was overhauled
by another dog belonging to the tribe
which he dispatched in the same manner
as the Others after which he proceeded
without molestation, travelling four days
without daring to build fire in the day
time. He was seven weeks travelling be.
fore he came to any tribe of Indians, dur
ing which time he had spent one week in
dispair. not travelling or expecting ever
to reach a habitation of whites.
At the end of the above time he came
to a tribe which he called the Tomahawks
He was kindly treated by them. For
fear of being taking again. assured them
that he belonged to the Flat Heads, and
was in search of two crazy Indians who
had made thrir escape After asking
some questions in English concerning the
crazy Indians" he departed. and after
nine miles travel, lie came to the Missouri
river He made a raft of logs and cross
cd over. Travelling due east. he continu-
ed his journey nine weeks before he arrlv-
ed at White Lake in Minnesota, during +
all of which time he had su5sisted upon |
game, which he killed with bis bow and /
arrow He remained there three days |
and sold his accoutrements for clothing and |
then made his way for this State. lie
arrived here in the cars
Barney is man Of considerable intelli
gcnce and seems to have vivid recollec-
ton of nearly all that passed during his
captivity. He seems familiar with Indian
life, and gives many Of their signs for de
termining courses, cures for diseases &c
He would like to see his children again,
but would rather forego the pleasure than
to 90 back and remain with the tribe =