Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-02-18
his. l was told that they had been mur

| 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, | re-
turned to Ei Paso, where l remained until
September 8, when started once more for
Texas with my three brothers in-law, in
company with small party consisting of
five Americans and one Mexican. MIR.
Hart, who owned and commanded this
train, having some business in Texas which
required his immediate attention, travelled
very rapidly, and | hoped in a few more
days TO be in the midst OF my friends.
As we had seen only one Indian on the
route we flattered 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 off, Mr.
Hart, anxious TO overtake the thieves,
started in pursuit, taking with him my el-
dest brother in-hw, 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
|
| Phantom Hill, aud were considered out Of
danger. A discharged soldier being unable
TO keep up with us was some distance be-
hind, but | saw nothing oil him after this.
The day after Mr.. Hart left us, as we were
| travelling, about noon, we saw two Ca
manche Indians charging US in front, and
at the same time two others We're 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, if possible, 10 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
| commenced running as fast as they could.
One oftbem fell down before we bad gone
/ Tar, 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 strip
ped OF his clothing, his hands tied behind
his back, and 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 a large
butcher knife. His sea- p was cut off be-
/ fore he was dead, and put into his own
hat the hat was then worn by one Of his
/ murderers. | was stupefed with horror as
gazed on this spectacle, and supposed
that my turn would come next. But the
Indians having secured the plunder of the
wagon, mounted us on the mules and or
dered US TO go with them.
As left looked back and saw the roor
Mexican wel!ering in his blood and still
breathing.
We took northeast direction, and trav-
eled slowly till sunset, when we encamp-
ed. Here the plunder, consisting Of blank
els, bedding, clothing, brides, and some
money which had in my pocket, was di-
vided among the Indians. Some articles
considered useless We're thrown into the
fire. My clothing was taken away, ex-
cept barely enough TO cover my person.
In the distribution OF the captives, the eld-
est boy, about - 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 a Mexican,
who had been stolen from the State OF Chi
|, huahua when an infant. He was as savage
as the Indians, and claimed the youngest
boy for his prize. The scalp Of the MeXi-
can was stretched on a stick and dried by
the fire.
After giving us some meat for our sup
per, the Indians began 10 secure US for the
night. The boys, with their arms tied
tightly behind them, were taken under
guard by two OF the savages. My feet
were tied together, and was obliged to lie
between the other two. l 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
t like young savages. They appeared to
5 enjoy this new mode Of life, and were new
er treated with excessive cruelty. ! was
mounted on good horse, but being obliged
, TO sit astrde the animal, the journey was
exceedingly painful.
7 l had fine head of hair, which | valued
very much, but the chief ordered it to be
E cut off; | was not little mortified in see
r ing it decorating the heads of the heartlesS
: savages. My head was thus left entirely
unprotected from the intensely hot rays OF
5 the sun.
Nothing of interest occurred except re-
7 peated acts Of inhumanity toward me, until
the twelfth day after my capture. AT this
9 time we were joined by two Indian men
; and squaw. These were all the Indians
: | saw till after my escape. Up to this
: time my suffering had been so severe as 10
/. take from me all desire TO live, but now
] they were greatly increased. The squaw,
+. from whom / might have expected some
l compassion, was evidently the cause OF the
, new cruelties which / now began TO expe-
S rience.
My horse was taken from me, and was
mounted on an unbroken mule without a
: birdie. l had saddle, but it was worn
out and good for nothing except 10 torture
me. This animal would frequently top
r me over IFS head OF its own accord, but moi
: being wild enough TO crafty the malice Of
E the Indians, the chief would sometime:
5 shake the Mexican's scalp before its eyes