Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-06-13
RESTORATION OF A WHITE WOMAN
FROM THE INDIANS.

One Of the four women who were captured
and carried off by the Indians, in their foray
into the white settlements on the line between
Iowa and Minnesota some weeks ago, has re- |
turuvu tno errtIririeu's mo eato WI.
Charles L. Flandreau, agent for the Sioux In
dams, of the Mississippi Her narrative is
very interesting, and calculated 10 arouse
feelings of the deepest Indignation against her
band of savage captors. 1t seems that the
agent went 10 distribute provisions to some 700
tamished Sioux, who were fairly frantic for
food, when one of the bands brough; Mrs.
Marble, the woman in question, 10 the agency,
having purchased her from her savage captors
for keg Of powder. Several chiefs we're
sent out at once 10 look for the other women,
reward of $500 being offered them for their
recovery. Mrs Marbles statement is 10 the
following effect
"On the 18th of March last party of
Indians came up 10 the residence of her hus-
band at Spirit Lake, Iowa. murdered him and
took her off as prisoner to their camp il the
vicinity OF the lake. At the camp she found a
Mrs Thatcher, Mrs. Noble, Miss Gardner,
all of whom had been taken prisoners at the
lake. Mrs. Thatcher's husband had escaped
being killed by temporary absence; so with
Mrs. Noble. Miss Gardner's entire family
had been murdered. The Indians broke up
their camp and proceeded to Heron Lake, dis
tant about twenty Ave miles, where they en-
camped and left their squaws and prisoners
and started on an expedition, Mrs. Marble sup
poses, to the Des Moines, at Springfield, where
they committed other murders, returning will,
much plumber. They then left Heron Lake
and travelled 500 miles, being month on the
route.
'lmmediately on starting from Heron Lake,
Mrs. Marble and associates were forced TO car.
ry heavy packs, and perform the egrading and
mental services in the camp. The pack she
was compelled to carry consisted ofiwo bags oil
shot, each weighing twenty-five pounds. On
top Of this was placed the additional weight OF
an Indian nrchin Of some three or four years
of age. The snow was very deep, the prison
ers but thinly clad, and most of the time suf.
J fering 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 hut scanty supply, ill-suit-
ed to the weather and the exposure they were
lOICGu W uIucIgos ~ times tne unfortunate
captive would fall to the ground exhausted
} and utterly unable TO proceed further. Then
the inhuman wreiches would place the muzzle
of loaded gun at her head, and threatened
her with instant death unless she would mme.
diately continue her weary march. When q
horse stolen at The settlements would die, OF
} be killed by the Indians for food, the prisoners
would be allowed TO recruit their exhausted
strength, by supply of horse flesh, 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 theil
rePast. Mrs. Marble states they we're often
forced 10 eat the wing feathers, plucked from
The ducks shot by the Indians, and shriyelled
before the fire, TO save themselves from star.
walton.
"When the Indians would encamp for the
night, the captives were compelled to carry
wood and water, and build fires, put up the te
PEGS, &c. They were, however, never allow.
ed 10 prepare the food, At first they very nat
urally rebeled at the treatment they received
but the Indians beat them with clubs into.sub
mission to their orders. Mrs. Marble state,
! that she soon discovered that the only way tt
secure herself from ll-treatment, was to per
form the duties assigned her with cheerfulnes
aud alacrity. Herself, Mrs Noble and Mis-.
Gardner, pursued this course, and we're treate,
more kindly than their associate, Mrs, Thaich