The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-02-18
Vbrillins Narratipe.
A NARRATIVE

Indians.
was born in Alton, Illinois, on the 10Th
day of june, 1887, and am, therefore; in the
18th year ofm age. My fathers name was
William Smith, my mothers alden name wal
Jane Cox. had five brothers and four sis
ters. think it was in the year 1910 that we
moved to Missouri, and settled ut a boat land
ing or ferry called jamestown, on the North
Grand River. My father kept the ferry.
About eight years ago we moved from this
place to Texas, and settled near Paris; in La
mar county. Here my father and mother died
within ope day of each other; leaving six Or
phan children behind them. Three of my
brothers had died before the death of my pa
rents. My eldest brother, who was in rang
ing company, now came home to settle my
fathers affairs and make provision for our
support. lie secured home for us with dit
tcrent ncighbors, 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. ! have three sisters
older than myself. The names are Elizabeth
Cynthia, and Caroline. My brother Jane
and sister Ellen are younger than myself l. :
len WAS four years old when my parents died :.
Caroline is Il dwarf, and the ne ighbors thought
that the medicine the doctor gave her stopped
her growth. She was u dear child and We all
loved her because of her misfortune. (lIcrc
Jane was unable to restrain her feelings. and
burst into tcars) lived with several neigh
bors until the first of last February, when
was married to Mr.. james Wilson, young
farmer just beginning life with little proper
sy, consisting of cattle and horses. lie was
but nineteen years of age when we were mar
ried. We knew but little fife for was not
yet sixteen. l fear we were crazy in getting
married while we were so young. poor girl !!
when her thoughts went back to this period
OF her life she wcpt us if her heart would
brcak.)
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 pos
srssed and Joined a party Of emigrants con-
ssting of fiity-two men, twelve women and
several children. The father and brothers of
my husband We're among this number. 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. Wcarrivcd at the Gauda-
lupc Mountains about the LIST Of June. Here
the Mcscalcro Apaches stole from us nine
teen head of cattle; six men started in pursuit,
but were driven back by the Indians. We
went thence to Ell Paso. My husband not be-
ing able to travel well with Mr.. Hckman's
train, lie determined to remain at Ell Paso till
the arrival of another party of California emil
grants. Five of Mr.. HIS men staid with us.
While here, the Mexicans stole nearly all the
property we had, and left us unable to pro-
coed on our journey. We could do nothirg
now except make our way back to Texas.
About the last of July we started on our
return, with the fragments Of our property
which the thieves had spared. On the first
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 found my
'e'f thus bereaved and destitute in land of
strangers. My misfortune seemed greater
than could bear, but knew not that heavier
trials were in store for me.
Unable to continue my journey, returned
to FL Paso, where | remained till September
:, when once more started 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
commanded this train, having some business
in Texas which required his immediate attcn-
ton, travelled very rapidly, and l hoped in
a few days more 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 molcsted 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 off. Mr.. Hart, anx-
ious to overtake the thieves, started in pur-
suit, taking with him my eldest brother-in-
law, a lad some fourteen years ofage, leaving
myself, Mexican, and the two boys to fol-
low as rapidly as we could. We were at this
time within three days journey of military
post at Phantom Ill., and were considered
out of danger. A discharged soldier being
unable to keep up with us was some distance
behind, but l 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 toward the Indians, in order, ifpos-
sible, to gain their friendship.
The mules of our wagon, four in number,
becoming frightened by the war whoop of the
savages, turned out of the road and COM
menced 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 OIL, got out of the