The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-04-18
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THE LOST SISTER or WYOMING; ;
Or. the Captivity of Frances
ts3o.e0 rs sm sloc"m. .sa gsa
Among the inhabitants of the beautiful
valley of Wyoming, at the period of its in
vasion by that blood-thirsty band of tories
and savages who, with barbarity seldom
equalled, laid waste and destroyed every ves-
tiage of that lovely settlement, numbering
the inhabitants and driving off their cattle,
was a Quaker by the name of Jonathan
Slocum, whose peaceful disposition and
many acts of kindness to the Indians, saved
his dwelling from the torch, and his fam
ily from annoyance, Will his neighbors
were butchered, their houses burnt, and
their children taken captive. This impuni-
ty, however was Of short duration. Mr..
Slocnm had son, Giles, who was in the
battle, and it is supposed that the Indians
becoming aware of this: fact, determined on a
bloody revenge. In the family Of Mr.. s..
was the wife of neighbor, who had been
taken captive by the Indians, and her two
sons, one fifteen, and the other twelve years
of age. One morning in November, some
four months after the bloody massacre which
made the valley desolation, party OF red
skin warriors was seen prowling around the
vicinity of Wilkesbaere Fort. The two boys
had gone to the grindstone to sharpen a
knife, and the women were engaged in their
domestic duties when Mr.. Socum was
startled by shot, and shrek from one
'of the boys. Stepping to the door, she be-
held swarthy warrior, in the act of scalp
ing the oldest boy with the knife he had
been grinding. Horror-stricken at the sight,
she staggered back, and was followed by the
Indian, with the still warm and reeking
scalp in his hands Looking about him for
plunder, he discovered nothing to tempt
his cupidity, ortht the risk ofcarry ing off,
but little son of Mr. Slocum, who stood in
his way as he turned to the door. Seizing
him in his arms, he was about to depart,
when Mr.. S., with all mothers cling,
caught him by the arm and besought him
in tones OF earnest entreaty, not to deprive
her of her boy. See!' said she, "he can do
thee no good, he is lame" !" Dropping the boy,
he took up little daughter of five years,
who had crouched in fear behind high
backed chair, and was making his way out
when the mother again stopped him and
plead for her child In, the most pathetic
tones, she implored him to leave her bright
eyed darling; the light Of her home, and the
joy Of her, household. !. AS well might she
have wasted her words upon the stern rocks
Of the idle wind; the rugged nature of the
savage was not to be moved by the earnest
appeals of pale faced squaw. Grasping
with one hand the mantle which enwrapped
him, and with the. other the dress OF her
child. she clungl to, both, with tena city
which had well nigh accomplished her pur-
pose. Finding himself impended in his ex-
it, and fearful Of approaching assistance,
the savage drew his tomahowk, and raised
it to finish, alta blow, her importantly and
her life. Reading in his eyes his stern
determination, and wrought to pitch oil
agony beyond which her system refused to
60, she yielded her grasp, and sank in a
] swoon at. his feet. The Indian, relieved
of his annoyance, now took his departure,
with little Frances in his arms, and as he
passed through the yard. seized upon the
other son of Mrs. Kingsley, whom he also
bore, off 2 prisoner. All this was but the
scene Of a few moments, yet how much OF
terror. and heart breaking agony was EN-,
braced within that short period of time
How many years of terrible suspence and
deep despair, had their birth in those few
brief moments. Mrs. Kingsley who had
stood, a terrified beholder Of the scene; when
| she saw her second and only living child
torn from her and carried into captivity
sank under the afflicton and gave herself
up to stolid apathy, little short Of despair
One Of Mrs. Slocum's children had with q
sagacity beyond her years, at the first ap-
pearance Of the savages, snatched UP the
youngest child and fed to the Fort where she
gave the alarm. and a party started for the
house, but the Indians were already beyond
the reach Of successful pursuit, si, ssts5,9' 4
In short time after the above melaa-
choly Bereavement, Mrs. S!oeam was CALI
sedHpon to partwitll her husband aud father,
who were both shot and scalped by party
sof Indians. whiles foddering cattle near the
house Thus, in the short space, Of six
weeks, was that happy household broken
Up and destroyed. and it's surviving members
wrapped in misery aas with 4 mantle.z Her
religion suatainsasMrs. Elocam in hefsday
of trial, and she threw herself and heF nine
remaining children upon the mercy of her
Heavenly Fathernand bowed herhead with-
sontsa rnnFmur. to his decreesa Fofths dead
she did not mouTh; they were at rest. and
no sorrow q useless Espinipg could restore