Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-05-23
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Narrow Escape from Savages.
A REMARKABLE NARRATIVE.

Mr.. William Bailey, formerly of Lyn-
vile, Ogle county, in this State, called
upon us and related the following thrilling
and remarkable narrative. From his de-
scripllon Of places and things which he
saw, we are perfectly satisfied that his
statement is correct in every respect. A
gentleman from this city, who has travel
led over the country he describes, assur-
eG rs that no person who had not visited
these places and witnessed what he des-
crbes, could ever have related what he
related. lie converses in several differ
cnI languages, and appears 10 have paid
close attention 10 what he saw passing
around him, during his scjourn among
the savages. He looked well and hearty,
and with the exception Of his hands be-
ing torn by some wounds from toma-
hawk, he seems to have suffered no dam
age. lie left on the cars last evening for
Logan county, where his mother resides.
Mr.. Bailey left here sumo eighteen
months ago with party OF nine persons
10 engage in driving teams from the Gull
Of Mexico 10 the Rio Grande. They lam
ded at Indianola and hired 10 a man by
the name of Ross TO drive a team for him.
They drove to Nuces River and camped
there. While asleep their mules were
stolen by the Indians. They prepared
the next day to follow them, and came up
with them at sun set. They saw SIX ln-
dians, fred at and killed them all, when
they were attacked by about three hun
dred, who were secreted in the woods
and who Immediately fred on the white
men, killing all but Mr. Bailey. who they
took prisoner. They then took him back
to the wagons, which they plundered OF
all the arms and ammunition IN them.
They took two boxes of Government
Colts revoIvers and twenty kegs of pow
der. The prisoner was stripped OF all
his clothing, and bound hand and foot
upon a pony. They then started for their
encampment IN the Witchataw mountains
which place they reached after eleven
days hard riding.
They remained in camp about a week,
and then started OH robbing expedition
TO attack train on the Santa Fe road.
They remained about FIVE days wailng,
when merchant train came along. They
proceeded TO surprise the train, and killed
every person with it, took the goods and
mules belonging 10 the train and started
for the Kickapoo settlement, traded of
the mules for ponies and returned 10 the
Wmchataw Mountains.
The prisoner was kept strictly confined
during the day, and was tied up every
night with pieces of raw hide, by The
hands, TO The limb of tree, as high as he
could reach and stand on the ground. Dn-
ring the day he was allowed TO lay down
and sleep few hours. During the time
Mr.. Bailey was with them they went on
five robbng expeditions taking him al
ways along with them. The last mer-
chant train they robbed, they took two
men prisoners who had bravely y defended
themselves ill their weapons were all dis
charged, and who killed twelve of the
red skins. These two men were then Ia
ken, tied to a stake and skinned alive.
Mr.. Bailey was placed close TO them and
compelled 10 witness this horrible scene.
Every time he would close his eyes, they
would punch him with bayonets and
spears, until he would open them and look
on this picture Of revolving horror. They
then took the skin reeking with warm
blood, and slapped him round the face
with it. covering him with blood, and tel.
ling him if he tried TO escape ibis should
be his fate.
One of iheir excursions was against the
Unted States mail wagons. They Killed
the i've rIen with them. lore open the let
iers. got out The money, and after cutting
0al tie pictures from the bank bills, threw