Southern shield., 1855-01-06
From the Macoupin ql.) Statesman. Eighteen Years a Captive
 Among the Irdians.

We were visited, a few days ago, by a man by the name of Joseph Barney, who says that he is in search of son, whom he supposes to I've somewhere near Alton. He made his escape on the 9th of last May, from the Flat Head Indians, near the head of the Flat Head river, in Oregon. He sta ted that he has been win this tribe of Indians eighteen years We listened for some length of time to his history, many portions of which Ire truly thrill ing. He was taken prsoner in 1886 on the Upper Missouri liver, while in the employ of a fur company. He is a native of France, and speaks Eng fish but imperfectly, Lut we give what he communicated to us as nearly as possible. He was in company with a man by the name of Johu Rgburts0n, both of whom were captured. They attempted to defend themselves, and killed two Indians, but tley were over- powered-there being twenty-five In dians to contend with. They were se- cured hand and foot, ard placed on ponies, and started to tie northwest ward, and travelled. five weeks, when they came to the hunting ground of the tribe, where they were given up to the chief, who shook hanls with them, and manifested much joy at their cap ture. 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 impossible for the time being, the terms were accep- ted and the marriage took place. The fruits of this marriage were two chil- dren, who are still living, a daughter, sixteen, and son, fourteen, both of which he left with the tribe. Two years ago, Robertson attempted to escape, but was recaptured, scalped and burn ed alive, leaving three children with the tribe. Seven years ago, Barney attempted to escape, but was recap tured, 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 captiv- lty, Barney was engaged with his tribe in three battles-two with the Black feet, and one with tribe the name of which we do not know-in one oi which he says over seventy Blackfeet were killed.
 The most of the time of his captiv- ity he lived on the head of the Colnm- bia river, and at times as far up as the head of the Flat Head river. During this eighteen years, he saw neither salt bread, potatoes, coffee, tea, or anything of the kind; living upon meat of moose deer, skunk, rattle-snake, turkey, prai rie hens, &c. At the time he made his escape he was near Lake Superior about sixty miles of trading post O the American Fur Company. The chic (his father aw) was doctor, anC on the 18th of May left, and while h' was gone, Barney succeeded in making all the Indians dead drunk, with th' whiskey which had just been received giving one and a half pint to each In dian. After they were asleep he tool his bow and arrow, tomahawk, pipe two and a half pounds tobacco, fin and steel, and two pounds of meat being all there was in the hut. H started and travelled all night, havin, his dog along; the next morning h killed his dog, to prevent his returning to give clue to his trace.
 About11 o'clock the same day, whe
 about thirty-fve miles, he was over hauled by his fatherin-law's tn chiefs dog, which he killed with hi bow and arrow, and carried the carcas away from the path, and then conceal ed himself in the brush; while he wa thus concealed the chief passed by hin