Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-05-09


leg.
RECOVERY OF MISS OLIVE oAT-.
MAN FROM THE MoHAYE INDIANS.
We have received the following inter
esting account of the rescue of a beautit
full young American girl, named Miss
Olive Oatman, from slayish captivity
by the Yuma Indians. The whole mar
rative is of painful interest:
STEAMER SEA BIRD. AT SEA,
March 9th, 1856.
Editor of tie Herald:-By the last arri-
val from Fort Yuman, am enabled to
give you the details of the rescue from the
Mohave Indians, of a young and beauI-
full American girl who had been a prison
er for Eve years.
On the 10th of March, 1851, a family
of emigrants, named Oatman. from Iowa,
en- route for California, composed of Lo-
renza Oatman, wife and seven children,
(three boys and four girls. )while encamp.
ed about one hundred and twenty miles
from the mouth Of the Gila river, were
attacked by the Mohave Indians, and all
but one boy and two girls were mas
sarced in cold blood. The boy in the
dark succeeded in escaping and was pick
ed up on the following day by party Of
emigrants, about forty miles from the
scene of the murder. The little fellow
was perfectly exhausted when found,
covered with blood and without hat or
shoes. After recovering sufficiently to
tell the tale some of the men started on
to ascertain if anything could be done.
and on arriving at the fatal place, found,
alas that the boys version was too true.
the bodies being then half eaten by cay
otes. Enough, however was ascertained
to show that the two youngest girls were
missing. The boy is now living near
Los Angeles, and distinctly remembers
that horrible night.
For years nothing had been heard of
these two young girls. aud their late ap-
peared to be wrapped in mystery. About
i've months sine an article was published
in the Los Angeles Star, stating that the
Youma Indians had offered to exchange
two female prisoners with the officers Of
Fort Yuma for beads, blankets, &c., and
that the latter had refused to trade
with or purchase the unfortunate sufferers
A.. who was at that time en- route for Fort
Yuma. Immediately inquired into the
subject but found the charges against the
officers wholly without foundation and
fearing by some possibility there might
be some prisoners, never before heard of,
sent out runners to the different tribes,
Offering heavy ransoms for their recovery;
in answer Of which Yuma Indian of the
name of francisco, came in saying "He
could fnd young girl ten days travel
from the Fort" Beads, blankets, etc.,
were Immediately given him, and in twen-
ty days he returned with Miss Oatman.
When brought in she was dressed as all
the females of the Yuma Mohave Indians.
and on white mans approaching. threw
herself PROSTATE on the sand. and would
not rise until suitable female garments
we're brought her. She has almost en-
tirely forgotten her native tongue, being
only able to speak two or three words.
Being asked in the Indian language her
name, she replied, "OIive Oatman 5" is
tattoed on the chin and bears the mark Of
hard slavery. Her arms. wrists and
hands are largely developed. Was a
slave for three years with the Mohaves,
who sold her to the Yumas. Her youngest
sister died about six months before the
rescue Of Miss Olive. The hair Of
the young lady being OF a light
golden color, the Indians colored it black
using dye made from the bark of the
Meskeet tree. She was eleven years old
when taken prisoner, which make her
sixteen now, though she is more fully de-
veloped than many girls of twenty.
The officers at the Fort have clubbed
together making up purse for her, and
furnishing such clothing as is necessary;
also, have placed her in charge of fe'
male residing there, and where every
care and attention will be paid to all her
wants, and until any of her friends or re-
Iations may come forward to relieve the
poor girl from her despondent position,
and endeavor to wean her from all savage
taste or desire to return to Indian life.
Jos. A. FoRT,
Pacific Ex Co.'S Messenger, Southern
Coast.
1t is but justice to add that great praise
is due to the officers at the Fort for the
prompt manner in which they came for.
ward and paid the ransom, and contrib
uted money, clothing, etc., to Miss oat.
man.
A s1oHT OF A GREAT MAH.-Goethe like
many celebrated men. was annoyed by
the visits of strangers. a student once
called at his house and requested to see
him. Goethe, contrary to his usual GUS
tom consented to be seen and after the
student had waited sometime in the ante>
chamber, he appeared, and without
..oa1.;,.. 4ook q chair and .seated himsalf