Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-01-07
l1SG8h D A II NlOUS.
History of the West Branch.

transpired in the early settlement of Union
county from History of the West Branch
Valley, recently published
Captain James Thompson was an early
settler in Buffaloe Valley, and, during a
predatory incursion of savages, was taken
and carried into captivity. Several ineor-
rect publications of his sufferings have
been made, but the following is believed to
be correct, as it was taken down from his
own lips, in 1882, by Sames f. Linn, Esq,
OF Lewisburg, and entered in his journal
Some time previous to his capture he
had removed his wife and children to
Penns Creek, for greater security against
the Indians. In March, 1871, he was
going from Lewisburg (then Derrstown) to
his farm, preparatory to moving down the
| country. On the road between the farms
of John Linn and Col. John Kelly, he was
suddenly surprised by four Indians, and
compelled to 90 along with them. When
they came to hollow, half mile from
Kelly's house, they discovered fresh
track in the soft clay One of the Indi-
ans exclaimed, "Squaw." Two of them
Immediately set off on run, and two re-
manned to guard him, one behind and one
before. They soon heard female scream,
when the one behind struck him on the
back with his gun and cried, +" Waugh,
(run.) They started off on run, and on
coming to the top OF hill, saw the other
two with woman, when they pushed off
Immediately fr an Indian town on Towan-
da creek. They crossed the White Deer
md ntba,- 4aIp ,orth of R,H,1no
Valley, and came to the river near the
mouth of Lyeoming creek, which they
crossed in canoes. During the night they
tied his arms behind him, and fastened the
cord to grubs in the ground.
One night, while encamped on Lycom-
ing creek, not being tied very securely, he
succeeding in releasing his arms Two of
the Indians lay on one side of the fire with
the girl-(Mary Young, the daughter Of
Matthew Young, who lived on farm ad-
joining Captain Thompson's and two on
the other side with him lie first endea-
vored to get one Of their tomahaYks, but
discovered that they were all lying on their
arms. lie then got a stone, which they
had used for crushing corn, raised on his
knees, preparatory to giving one of them
mortal stroke on the temple, and securing
a tomahawk. But on account Of his head
being wrapped in a blanket, he struck too
/ high to effect his object. The Indian gave
yell, which awoke the other. He now
attempted to run, but the cord, with which
he was tied, AMI stretched between the two
grubs, intercepted him, and as he stepped
back 10 get around it, one Of the savages
caught him by the collar Of the coat, and
in the struggle tore it to the bottom. He
! drew his tomahawk to strike him on the
/ head, but des:s ed, and spoke to the one
! he had wounded in his own language, and
| then drew it again, desisted, and spoke to
the wounded Indian, and then drew it the
| third time He expected to receive it this
| time, and was resolved to try and catch it
! and wrest it from his hand But they
finally concluded not to kill him, rcserying
him for more formal execution. They
/ then tied hollow gourd, containing shot,
to his waist, telling him that was his death
/ tcarrdHt.
After this they tied him so tight that
he lost all feeling in his hands and arms
They continued on towards their place of
! destination One day they shot wild
tu.-teY, aud taking out the entrails, rolled
them rornd a stick without any cleaning,
roasted them n the fire, and gave them to
the prisoners 70 eat Before this they had
only a few grains OF corn per day, and this
change of diet, said Mr.. Thompson, was
quite deieacy
When they got to Towanda the Indians
became less careful, thinking he would not
attempt to run away again. In the even
ing they made him gather wood he man.
aged to go further away for each load, till
he got as far as he thought it was prudent
to try, and watching an opportunity when
! they were not observing him, darted on
! into the woods as fast as he could run, with
toos,,ty-t,co grains of corn his pocket, for
provision, to travel a journey of many miles
through the wilderness.
! He said he could have made his escape
ON several occasions before, but he could
! not think Of leaving Mary Young priso-
ner with them She frequently told him
to escape, and not try to rescue her, as it
would defeat both. She was resigned to
her fate.
He took a different route at first from
that toward home, 10 deceive the Indians
in pursuit. In running he stepped on
rotten stick, which broke and made noise;
at the same time he heard two trees rub
bino together which he took to be the In
dians in pursuit. Being terribly trlghten-
ed he ran into a pond, and hid himself IN
the brush, with nothing out but his head,
where he lay till he was satisfied they were
not coming that way. He then proceeded
on his journey, keeping along the noun
tains, lest he might meet Indians IN the
valleys. One night he ran almost into an