The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-03-16
THE LOST SISTER OF VIONING
or.
THE CAPTIVITY or FRANCIS SL0CVM.

Among the inhabitants Of the beautiful val
ley of Wyoming, at the period OF It's invasion
by that blood thirsty band OF tories and savages
who, with harbarity seldom equalled, laid
waste and DESTROYED every yeStige Of that love
II settlement, numbering the inhabitants and dri-
wing off their cattle, was Quaker by the
name of Jonathan Siocam. whose peaceful dis
position and many acts Of kindness TO the lndI-
ans, saved has dwelling from the torch. and his
family from annoyance, while his neighborS
wera hutchered, their houses burnt, and their
children taken captive. This imponiy, how
ever, was Of short duration. Mr.. Slocum had
a son, Giles, who was IN the battles, and It is
Supposed that the Indians becoming aware ofthe
TACT, determined on bloody revenge. In the
family Of Mr.. s. was the wife Of nei2hbor,
who had been taken captive by the Indians, and
her two sons, one fifteen and the other twelve
wears OF age. CDe morning in November, some
four months after the bloody massacre which
made the valley desolatIon, party OF redskln
warriors was seen prow1ing around the vicinity
OF WiikSbarre Fort. The two hoys had gone to
The grlndStone 10 sharper a knlir, and the wo-
men We're engaged in their domestic duties,
when Mrs. Slocum was slartlrd bv shot, and a
shrek from one of the boys. Stepping to the
door, she behed swarthy warrior, in the act
Of fscalpng th, Oldest boy With the knife be had
been grinding. Horror stricken at the sight
she staggered back, and was followed by the In
dian, with the still Warm and reeking scalp in
his hand. Looking about him for plundrr, he
discovered nothing TO tempt his cHpidltY. worth
the risk OF carrying off, but little son OF Mrs.
Slocum, who stood in his way as he turned TO
the door Seizing him in bis arms, be was about
to depart, when Mrs. S., with all mothers
feeling caught him by the arm aud beSought
him, in tones of earnest entreaty, not to deprive
her Of her bov. ssSpe'' said she, she can do
thee no good, be is lame"
Dropping the boy, he took mp little dau9h-
Ter of five years, who had crouched in fear be-
hind high-backed chair, and was making his
way ont when the mother again stepped him,
and pleaded for her child. In the most pathet-
&c tones, she impIored him to leave her bright
eyed darling, the light her home, and the Joy
otner household. As we'll might she have vast
ed her words upon The stern rocks or the idle
wind the rugged nature of the savage was not
10 be moved by the earnest appeals OF the pale
faced squaw. Grasping with one hand the
mantle which enwrapt him, and with the other
the dress of her child, she cIHng 10 both with
tenachy which had we'll nigh accomplished
her purpose: finding himselfImpedrd in his exit,
and fearful of approaching assistance, the savage
drew his tomahawk 10 finish at blow her i'm
fortunlty and ber life. Reading in his eyes his
stern determination, and wrought TO pitch Of
agony beyond which her system refused to go,
she yielded her grasp, and sank in a swoon at
BIS feet. The Indian, relieved of her annoy
ahce, now took bis departure with little Fran
ees IN his arms, and as he passed through the
yard, seized upon the other son of Mrs. Kings
iey, whom he also bore off a prisoner. All
lhls was the scene of but few moments, vet
now much Of terror and heart-bTeaking agony
was embraced within that short period of time.
How many years of terrible Suspence and deep
ctsPar bad their birth in those few brief mo-
mentS Mrs. Kingsley who had stood terri
NED oeholder of the scene, when she saw her
second and only living child, torn from her
and carried into captivity, sank under the al
nlclon and gave herself up to stolid apathy,
mule short OF despair. One of Mrs. Slocum's
children had, with sagacity beyond her years,