Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-01-09
a e!rRAMnlE S1gORYe
Pom the Macoupin (Ill.) Statesman.
A DISTINGUISHED STRANGER.

A DISTINGUISHED SIkANGEh.
We were visited few days ago by a
man by the name Of Joseph Barney, who
says he is in search Of son, who, he
supposcs, lives somewhere near Alton.
He made his escape on the 18th Of last
May from, the Flat Head Indians, near
the head of the Flat Hoad river, in Ore.
gon. He states that he has been with
this tribe OF Indians 1s years. We lis.
tened for some length Of time to his his.
tory, many portions Of which are truly
shrilling. He was taken prisoner in
1886 on the Upper Missouri river, while
in the employ Of Fur Company. He
is a native Of France and speaks Eng,
iish but poorly; but we give what he
communicated 10 US as nearly as possi'
ble. He was in company with man
by the name Of John Robertson, both Of
whom werc captured. They attempted
to defend themselves, and killed two In.
dians, but they were overpowcred; there
being twenty-five Indians TO contend
with. They we.e secured hand and foot
and placed on ponies, and started TO the
north westward, and travelled five weeks
when they came to the hunting.groupd
Of the tribe, where they were given up
to the chief, who shook hands with them
and manifested much Joy Of tho. can,
tute. They we're unhc.,al il c.and and confined
in hut, wnsre they were fed but no,
allowed to escape. The chief offered
them his two daughters If they would
marry and remain with the tribe. Find
ing escOpe utterly impossible for the
time being, the tern1s were accepted
and the marriage took place. The fruit:
OF his marriage were two children, both
of which are still living, a daughter six
teen years old, and son fourteen. both
of which he left with the tribe. Twl
years ago Robertson attempted to escape
but was rs.taken, and scalped and buriet
alive leaving three children with th'
tribe. Seven years ago Barney attempt
ed to escape but was recaptured, ant
would have been put to death but for thu
. interposition OF his wife, who was th'
daughter Of the chief. During the tim'
Of His captivity. Barney states that hi
was engaged with his tribsin three bat
ties, two with the Black Feet and on
with q tribe the name Of which we d.
moi know, In one Of which he says owe
seventy Black Feet wsSe killed.
The most of, Abe lime Of his .caPtiyit.
he lived atthe head Of The Colnmbi'
r. or, ani at times a. far up as the bea'
Of the Flat Head river. During thes
eighteen years he saw neither salt, bread
potatoes, .colfes, tea Or anylhingSof til
Kind: liyins upon the meat Of moose
deer. skuaE, ra,tlesnakes, turkies, prai
Re hons, ssc... AT the time he made hi
escape hs was near Lake Superior, abou
,ixty miles from the trading post Of th
American Fur Company. The chic
1his f,thsr.in. .law} was a doctor, and o.
liz lb.h Of May leit. and while he wa
zone. Barney succeeded In making al
"a Indians dead drunk with the whisk,
which had Just been feceiveds siyin
each one pint and . halt. s After the
were aIi sslesp he took his bow and aI
row. topiskswk, pipe. two and 2 hal
ncuuas .of tobacco. Flint and steel, an
tvo pounds Of rnsat, being oil there va .
lathe hui 10 started dnd Travelled q