The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-02-10
= Fran the KaeeuPia. III, Salesman.
Eighteen Years Captive Among the
Indians.

We were visited. few days ago, by a
man by the name of Joseph Barney, who
says that he is in search of son, whom
he supposes toliye somewhere near Alton.
He made his escape, on the 5th of last
Nav, from the Fla Head Indians, near
the head of the Flat Head river, in Ore
gon. He stated that he had been with
this tribe of Indians eighteen years.
We listened for some length of 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 employ of fur company.
He is a native of France, and speaks
English but poorly but we give what he
communicated to US as nearly as posi-
bic. He was in company with man
by the name of John Robertson, both of
whom were captured. They attempted
to defend themselves, and killed two In
dians, but they were overpowered-there
being twenty five Indians TO contend with.
They were secured hand and foot, and
placed on ponies, and starred to the north
westward, and travelled five weeks, when
they came to the hunting grounds of the
tribe, where they were given up to the
chief, who shook hands with them, and
manifested much joy at their capture
The chief offered them his two daugh-
ters if they would marry and remain with
the tribe. Finding escape utterly i'm
possible for the time being, the terms
were accepted, and the marriage took
place. The fruits of this marriage were
two children, both of which are still liv-
ing, daughter. sixteen, and a son, four
teen, both of which he left with the tribe.
Two years ago Robertson attempted to
escape, but was retaken, scalped, and
burned alive, leaving three children with
the tribe. Seven years ago Barney at
tempted 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 states that
he was engaged with his tribe in three
battles-two with the Blackfeet, and one
with tribe the name of which we do
not KNOWN one of which he says over
seventy Blackfeet were killed. .sez
The most of the time of his captivity he
lived on the head of the Columbia river,
and at times as far up as the head of the
Flat Head river. During these eighteen
years he saw neithersalt, bread, potatoes,
coffee, tea, or anything of the kind; liv-
ing upon meat of moose, deer, skunk,
ratlesllake,, turkey, prairie hens, DC
At the time he made his escape he was
near Lake Superior, about sixty miles
from a trading post.of the American Flu,
Company. The chief his fa.herin-law
was a doctor, and on the 18Th of May left;
and while he was gone, Barney succeeded
in making all the Indians dead drunk
with the whisky which had just been re-
ceived, giving one and halt pint to each
Indian. After they were asleep, he took
his bow and arrows, tomahawk, pipe, two
and half pounds tobacco, flint and steel,
and two pounds of meat, being all there
was in the hut. He started and travelled
all night, having his dog along the next
morning he killed his dog. to prevent his
returning TO give clew to his track.
About IL O'Clock the same day, when
about 35 miles, he was overhauled by hi:
father-in-law's (the chief's) dog, which
he killed with his bow and arrow, and
carried his carcass away from the path,
and then concealed himself in the brush
While he was thus concealed the chiei
muttered to himself, in his language, 81
will pass this mountain, and at the fooi
of it | will take the left hand.' Over.
hearing this, Barney availed himself Of
the information. Following the chief te
the foot of The mountain, he found, sure
enough, he had taken the left hand road
which he ascertained by the tracks of his
pony. He continued his Journey to the
east until about two hours before day
break on the next morning, when he sal
down fatigued and hungry after day,
light he killed a rattlesnake eight feet
four inches in length, which he roasted
and ate for his breakfast. He kept on
the same direction, when about o'c}6el
he was oyerhauied by another dog be.
longing to his father-in-law, which he
killed Immediately, and passed on. Or
the next day about O'Clock, he was over
taken by another dog, which he dispatch
ed in the same manner as the others. Ht
travelled thus four days without daring t.
build fire in the day time. He wa
seven weeks travelling before he came t,
any tribe Of Indians, during which time
he had spent one week in despair, no
travelling or expecting ever to reach th'
habitation ofwhites.
j At the end of the above time he cam,
to a tribe which be called the Tomahawks
He was kindly treated by them. Fo
fear of being taken again, assured then
he belonged to the Flatheads, and was il
search of two crazy Indians who hat
made their escape. After asking SOM
question in English concerningthe steraz.
Indians" he departed, and after min
miles travel, came to the Missouri river
He made raft of logs and crossed over
Travelling due east. he continued his jour
ney nine weeks before he arrived at w bit
Lake, in Minnesota, during all of whicl
time he had subsisted upon game, whiel
he killed with his bow and arrow. HI
remained there three days, and sold hi
accoutrements for clothing, and thel
made his way to this Safe. He arrive,
here IN the cars.
Barney IS man of considerable intel
ligenee, and seems to have vivid recol
lection of nearly all that passed .durinl
his captivity. He seems familiar wit
Indian life, gives many of their signs 70
determining courses, cures for diseases
DC. He would like to see his childrei
again, but would rather forego the pleas
upe than 60 back and remain with th
tribe. He was married soon after. b
came to this country, and lived in otseg
eouaty, New York, where his wife died
after which he was employed BY the Flu
Company. He vas 63 years Old, bu
seems active and hardy. He describe