The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1856-06-25
Miss Olive OatIna n.
INTERESTING NARRATIVE OF HER CAPTIVITY.

/ Several weeks ago we gave an accoun
(copied from a. San Francisco paper) of tn
rescue Of young white girl, Miss Olive Oat
maa, from the Mohave Indians. The Lo
Angeles Star gives the annexed interesting
narrative of Miss Oatmah's captivity among
| the Apaches, and subsequently the Mohaves
1t appears that her defenceless situation wa
entirely respected during her residenc,
among the Indians. After her release wa
effected, she travelled on foot three hundred
miles, in ten days, to Fort Yuma, accompan
led only by the Indian guide, Francisco
three days Of which time they were entirely
without food Of any kind:
So much interest has been manifested in
the story Of the captivity of Olive Oatman
that we visited her few days since, wher
she gave us an intelligent account Of her ad
ventures, which is here embodied. This ac
count we obtained only by asking questions
as her timidity and want of confidence pre-
vented her from giving the details unassisted
Her faculties have been somewhat impaired
by her way Of life, but her friends assured
us that in the short time she has been among
them she has made very perceptible improve
ment.
The Oatmans started from Iowa in com
pany with the family of Mr.. Thompson, with
whom they travelled together as far as Tue
son, in Sonora, where Mr.. t. resolved to lay
by, to recruit his cattle and wait for other
trains to come up, so as to insure the safety
of the road by numbers. But the Oatnans
pushed on, impatient to get through, and met
their fate on the Gila, about two hundred
miles from the Colorado.
Olive is rather pretty girl, with skin as
fair as most persons who have crossed the
plains. Her face is disfgured by tatooed
lines on the chin, running obliquely and per-
pendicularly from her mouth. Her arms
were also marked in similar manner by
one straight line on each. The operation
consisted in puncturing the skin and rubbing
dye or pulyerized charcoal into the wounds.
1t was about sunset when the attack was
made, which resulted in the capture Of her.
self and her little sister, Mary Ann. Olive
was thirteen, and Mary Ann seven years Of
age. The Indians stripped her Of her shoes
aud nearly all her clothing-her sister had
no shoes on at the time-and they started
off with the speed Of horses in northerly
direction into mountainous region. They
travelled all night without resting. At noon,
next cay rnzy stopped few minutes to
breathe, and then hurried on again until
night-fall, when they came into camp. She
thinks they travelled hundred miles. She
was barefoot, and the sharp stones lacerated
her feet, and her blood sprinkled the whole
distance Whenever she Jagged they would
come behind and beat her, to urge her on.
Her sister soon gave out, but being small,
the Indians carried her in their arms. The
reason Of their hurrying On SO rapidly, was
fear lest they might be pursued. The clothes
left to her were worn out, and fell from her
back ID two weeks, and then she matted to-
gether the bark Of trees, aud tied it round
her person like the Indians. It was slight
covering, but did not leave her entirely ex-
posed.
Among these Apachcs Olive supposes they
Fcsfainsd one year. At any rate, the same
xind Of season returned asthat when she mr.
rived. Time among the Indians is not noted.
II they note It at all, it is only By moons
The country was mountainous, and barren Of
grass or timber. The Indians live in the
small valleys. The girls were treated cruel
N by these indians. They were overtasked
and when they could liot understand what
was said TO them, they were beaten. There
was no timber nor running stream. The on
" fuel to be had was scattered sage bushes,
and when it rained the water would collect
in the holes Of the rocks, and these two little
girls were compelled to pack all the wood
and water from long distances on their backs.
They felt themselves to be slaves. The In
dians told them they should never see their
friends. again, and concealed them as much
is possible. There was no snow, but they
uttered from cold in the winter. The Mo
hases and Apaches were friends, and some
times visited each other. II was during
one 81 these visits that the .Mohaves learned
Of these captiyes, and offered to purchase
them. The .Apacles consented, and receiv-
ed inexchangs STEW pounds Of beads, two
horses aand Two blankets. They were ten
days travelling, like horses" as she describes
Is 70 the Mohavs villages, barefoot and over
! rough mountainous country, each day stop
ping short time at noon TO resh She thinks
they Travelled $50 mica in anorthwest dissc-
ion. On this journey they ate no,iling nm
ii the fourth day, when they received piece
Of meat shout = largo as her hand, and this
kept them siiye. There were no roots nor
berries, and they dared not ask the Indians
fos food & Tho Indians would I'LL such game
as came ia theis way, but thsy III not offer
il v their captives. She adeessi61s them as