The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-04-11
Interesting Narrative.

Interesting Narrative.
We were visited few days ago by man
by the name of Joseph Barney, who says thai
he is in search of a son, whom he supposes Is
near Alton He made his escape on the 5tt
of May from the Flat Head Indians, near the
head of Flat Head river in Oregon. He stated
that he had been with this tribe of Indians
eighteen years. We listened some length O.
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 EN-
| ploy of a fur company. He is a native o.
France, and speaks English but poorly, but we
| give what he communicated to US nearly as
possible. He was in company with man by
the name of John Robertson, both of whom
were captured. They were secured hand and
| foot, and placed on poneys, and started to the
northwestward, and travelled five weeks, when
they came to the hunting ground of the tribe,
when they were given up to the chief who
shook hands with them, and manifested much
| JOY at their capture. They were unbound and
confined 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. Finding escape utterly impossi-
BILE for the time being, the terms were accepted
and the marriage took place. The fruits of this
marriage were two children. both of which he
left with the tribe. Twoyears ago. Robertson
attempted to escape, but was retaken, scalped
and burned alive, leaving three children with
the tribe. Seven years ago, Barney attempted
to escape, but was recaptured 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 was
engaged with his tribe in three <hattles-two
with the Black Fleet, and one with tribe of
which we do not known one of which he says
over seventy Black Fleet were killed.
The most of the time of his captivity lie
lived on the head of the Columbia river, and
at times as far up as Flat Head river. During
these eighteen years, he saw neither salt, bread
potatoes, coffee, tea or anything of the kind.
living upon meat of moose, deer, skunk, rat
tlesnake, turkey prairiehens, &c. Atthe time
about sixty miles from trading post of the
American fur company. The chief his father
in-law) was doctor, and on the 18th of May
last, while he was gone, Barney succeeded in
making the Indians dead drunk with the whis
key which had just been received, giving one
half pint to each Indian. After they were
asleep, he took his bow and arrow, tomahawk,
pipe, two and q half pounds of meat being all
there was in the hut. He started and travelled
all night, having his dog along, the next morn
ing he killed his dog to prevent his returning to
give clue to his trace.
About II O'Clock the same day, when about
35 miles, he was over hauled by his father-in-
laws (the chief's) dog which he killed with
way from the path, and then concealed himself
in the bush; while he was thus concealed the
chief passed by, him, as he passed the chief
muttered to himself, in his language-"I will
pass this mountain, and at the foot Of it will
take the left hand" Overhearing this, Barney
availed himself of this information. Following
the chief to the foot of the mountain, he found
sure enough that he had taken the left hand
road, which he ascertained by the tracks of his
pony. He continued bis journey to the east
until about two hours before dag break on the
next morning, when he sat down, fstigued and
hungry; after daylight he killed rattlesnake
eight feet four inches in length, which he roasted
for breakfast. Kept on in the same direc-
ton, when about FIVE o'clock he was overhauled
by his brother-n-law's dog, which he killed
Immediately and passed on. On the next day,
about O'Clock, he was overhauled by another
dog belonging to the tribe, which he dispatched
in the same manner as others, after which he
proceeded without any molestation, travelling
four days without daring to build fire, only in
the day time. He was seven weeks travelling
before he came to any tribe of Indians, during
which he had spent one week in despair, not
travelling or expecting to reach a habitation of
whites.
At the end of the above time he came to a
tribe which he calls the Tomahawks. He was
kindly treated by them. For fear of being
taken again, he assured them that he belonged |
% the Flat Heads, and was in search of two
crazy Indians who had made their escape After |
asking some questions in English concerning
he crazy Indians, he departed and after nine
niles travel, came to the Missouri river. He
made raft of logs and crossed over, travelling
lue east, he continued his journey nine weeks
before he arrived at White lake, in Minnesota,
Turing which he lived on game killed with
DOW and arrow. He remained three days, and
old his accoutrements for clothing, and then
made way for this state. He arrived here in
be cars.
Barney is man of considerable intelligence.
md seems to have a vivid recollection of nearly
IL chat passed during his captivity He seems
amiliar with Indian llfe and gives many of
heir signs for determining courses, cures for
diseases. &c. He would like to see his chill
lren again, but would rather forgo the pleasure
han to go back and remain with the tribe. He
married soon after he came to this country ,and
wed in Otsego county New York, where his
wife died, after which he was employed by the
ur company. He is 63 years old, but still
GEMS active and hardy. He describes the
ountry where he has been as being the hand
omest he ever saw. Truly he mas seen the
elephant" " and if his story is correct, be can
ell of more trials, tribulations and adventures
han any one now living
U~-~~@-~-~-~-~--~-~---~-~-
The recent complaint of shirt-maker in {
Jew York to mayor Wood, that she had been (;
windled out of two dollars by her employer,
as brought out some interesting facts touch ]
,g the wages paid to shirt-makers in that city. t
| contemporary says: The standard price is S
8elve and half cents piece, and the gar
lent must be we'll made, as it has to undergo
thorough inspection, with bosom and collars, ,