The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-06-12
A Terrible Story ofBrutality and sus.
farin0

A Terrible Story ofBrutality and suf.
fsring.
One Of the four women who were cap
tursd and carried OF BY the Indians, In THAR
foray into the White settlements on tho line
between Iowa and Minnesota, some weeks
ago, has returned to the settlements In the
care of Mr.. Charles T, Flandrcau, agent for
Sioux indiana, ofthe Mississippi. lier mar
rstive 10 very interesting. and calculated to
arouse feelings Of the deepest indignation
against her band Of savage captors. It
seems that the agent went to distribute pro-
visions TO somo 700 famished Sioux. who
wers frantic for food, when oneiof tho bands
brought Mrs.. Marble, tho woman in ques-
ton, to the agency, having purchased her
from her n'agc cAptos for keg ofpowder.
Several chiefs were sent out at once 70 look
for other women, reward Of $500 being
offered them for their recovery. Mrs MAr-
pies statement Is to the following ELECT
"On the 18th Of March last, Q party Of
Indians came up to the residence Of her hus-
band ut Spirit Lake, Iowa, murdered him
and took her OF o. pri-ener " their camp
in the vecinity Of the lake. At the camp
she found Mrs. Thatcher. Mrs. Noble
. Mrs Gardner, all Of whom had been taken
prisonerat the lake. Mrs Thatcher hus.
band had escaped being killed by tempon-
~ absence 20 with Mrs. Noble Min
Gardeners entire family had been murdered.
The Indians broke up their camp and pro-
cseded to Heron Lake, distance about Is
miles, where they sncamped and left their
squaws and prisoners. and started on IN ex-
petition, Mn. Marble supposes, to the Des
Moines' at springfield. where they commit
ted other murders, returning with much
plumber. They then left Heron Lake and
travelled 500 miles, bcinga month on tho
rout.
"Immediately on starting from Heron Lake,
Mrs Marble and associates were forced to
carry heavy packs, and perform tho degrH.
ding and mental services in the camp. The
packs she WIS compelled to carry consisted
Of two bag Of shot, each weighing q pounds.
On top Of this Wa placed the additional
weight Of an Indian urchin Of s,me three
or four years Of age. The snow was very
deep, the prisoners but thinly clad. and most
of the time suffering from hunger. The
warm clothing they had on them when they
were made prisoners, was taken from them
by the squaws, and In its place they received
but scanty supply, ill.suited to tho weather
and the exposure they were forced to under
20. At times the unfortunate captive
would Gall to the ground, exhausted and ut.
terly unable TO proceed further. Then the
inhuman wrctches would place the muzzle
of loaded gun ut her head, and threaten
her with instant death unless she would i'm.
mediately continue her weary march
When horse stolen ut the settlements would
die, or be killed by the Indians for food, the
prisoners would be allowed TO recruit their
exhausted strength by o supply Of horse.
aesh, but with these exceptions they suffered
greatly from want Of food, and were glad to
snatch up the bones thrown down by the
Indians after their repast Sirs. Marble statee
they were often freed TO eat the wing ieath-
crs, plucked from the ducks shot by the In
dians, and shriyelled before the ERE to save
themselves from starvation.
When the Indians would cncamp for tho
night, the captives wero compelled to carry
wood and water. and build fires, put up tho
tepees, &c. They were however, never al
lowed TO prepare the food. At first they
very .turally rebelled ut the treatment they
received, but the Indians beat them with
clubs into submission to there orders -
Mrs Marble states that she soon discovered
that the only way to secure her self frOm
ill.treatmsnt, was to perform the duties as
signed her with che ,riulncss and alcrity.-
Herself, Mrs. Noble and Miss Gardiner, pur.
sued this course. and wuro treated more
kindly than their associate. Mrs. Thatcher,
who was in delicate health and utterly un.
able TO do the amount Of work required Of
her This led ~ most tragic and horrible
occurrence, when the party crossed the big
Sioux. They arrived ut this stream about
Is days after leaving Lake Heron. The In
dams cut down several trees on each side Of
the river and TINS made bridge across It.
When Mrs. Thatcher attempted to cross,
she was thrown into the river; she succeeded
10 swimming to within short distance Of
the opposite side when one of tho Indians
deliberately shot her through the head
The body Of the unfortunate woman was
left floating down the stream. Her death
was hailed by the Indiin woman with loud
shouts Of joy and exulation. The feelings
Of the surviving prisoners, at this horrld
murder, cannot DO imagined. They beheld
in Mrs. Thatcher's death, tho fate reserved
for them, when oyerpowered by fatigue
they would be unable to proceed"
Subsequently, they reached Skunk Lake,
where they met the chief who purchased
Mrs. NJ. and restored her IN civilized llfc.-l
She Is entirely destitute. The camp Of Ink.
pa.du.tah, her captor, numbered fifteen
lodges.
Mrs. Marble is about 25 years of age, Of
medium sire, and very pleasant looking
She Is native Of Darke county, Ohio, and
moved to Michigan about ten years ago.
She has been twice married. Her FIRST bus
bands name was Phips. After his death |
she married Mr.. Marble, with whom she |
moved 70 Linn county, Iowa, and ultimately
70 Spirit Lake, in Dickson county. Mrs. |
N. Is reduced to restitution, her husband
has been murdered, and as to whether her
parents are alive or not, she ID ignorant.