Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-04-30
NEW SERIES, NO. 70.
TERMS $3.50 strictly In adyaness
AL4eMo, SS.00 at the years snds
Romantic Adventure among the
Indians.


The Springfield Qll,) Republican 'narrates
remarkable adventure Of Mr. William Baily.
OF Lynvllle, ILL.,, who has recently escaped
from cruel bondage among the Indians Of the
southwest. The Republican voucbes for the
character of Mr.. Baily, and the credibility of
his story 1t appears that Mr.. Baily, with
nine other persons, went some year and half
ago to engage driving teams from the gulf of
Mexico to the Rio Grande. While asleep on
their first trip, the Indians stole their mules.
They followed the Indians next day and killed
party Of six whom they overlook, when thew
were attacked by three hundred savages who
had been scattered in the woods. and the whole
party were killed except Mr. Baily, who was
taken prisoner. After going back and plum,
oering the wagons, the Indians stripped Mr..
baiiy and bound him hand and foot and placed
MN on pony. They then returned to their
homes in the Wachita mountains. which thew
reached after eleven days hard riding. About
d week after they went on another robbng ex-
petition, and attacked a train on the Santa Fe
road, killing every person with it and taking
possession of the goods and mu les. Mr.. Raily's
treatment during captivity is thus described
The prisoner was kept strictly confined dur
ing the day, and was tied up every night with
pieces of raw hide by the hands, to limb of
tree as high up as he could reach and stand
on the ground During the day he was al
lowed to lie down and sleep few hours Dur
ing the time Mr. Baily was with them they
went on five expeditions, taking him always
along with them. The last merchant train
they robbed they took two men prisoners who
had bravely defended themselves till their
weapons were all discharged, and who had
killed twelve of the red skins. These two were
then taken and tied to stake AID skinned
alive Mr.. Baily was placed close to them and
compelled to witness this horrible scene. Every
time he would close his eyes, they would punch
him with spears and bayonets until he would
open them and look on this picture of revolt
ing horror. They then took the skin reeking
with warm blood and slapped him around the
face with covering him with blood and telling
him if he tried to escape this should be his
fate
One of their excursions was against the
United States mail wagons. They killed the
five men with them, tore open the letters, got
out the money, and after cutting out the pic.
lures from the bank bills, threw them awav.
They kept all the newspapers that had any pic.
lures in them-throwing everything away that
was not embellished -
After this they did not tie their prisoner up
" night, but kept guard over him. One night
while engaged in the excitement Of war Dance
they forgot Mr., Baily, and he took advantage
of the confusion to crawl out Of the encamp-
ment, seize pony, and make his escape. He
was soon missed and followed for five DAYS
They came so close to him on the fifth day as
to fire at him, and he was obliged to quit
his horse and take to the mountains, where he
found concealment in small cave. After re-
naming here for u day and half, he started
for the Kickapoo settlement, about six hundred
miles distant, which he reached in abou a
month, and where he was very kindly furnished
with food and clothing by the Kickapoos.
During this journey he subsisted on birch roots,
which he dug with his hands While with
the Camanches he was fed on raw horse flesh.
from thence he made his way to st. Louis,
Mo-, through the country occupied by the
Choctaws, Shawnees and Cherokees, by each Of
whom he was generously treated. He travelled
steadily on foot for over two months. Mr.
Baily is young man, about twenty-five years
of age, and if the above story is true, he has
:, manifested energetic spirit, and uncommon
y power of endurance.