Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-09-14
EXTRAORDINARY NARRATIVE.

The Cleveland Herald says: One OF lne most
extraordinary narratives that We have had the
fortune to relate has just come under our no
tice. 1t was told us by the hero himself, and
the most searching investigation fails to shake
the truth of the story, astonishing as 1t may
seem TO be. If there is any deception in the
case, we fail to see its ehject.
About twenty-six years ago some Canada
Indians were in Cleveland, and did some ira,
ding with the people. In the course of the
trade the Indians fancied they had been chca-
ted, and, in order to revenge themselves, stole
a three year old boy from the city and carried
it off to Canada. AS far as can be learned the
child was stolen from a small brown house,
but in what part of the city, or any farther par
ticulars of the theft, cannot be learned.
The captors kept the boy in Canada for
few days and then, fearing his recovery by the
whites, sold him to party of PottawotamIes,
who kept him about month. BY these he
was again sold to the Paw Paws, in which tribe
he remained month, but, there were some
fears that he would be traced and taken by
the whites, he was traded Oft to the w Minneba-
goes of Illinois and Wisconsin. He was G.
ventually transferred from them to the Chip
pewas of Wisconsin, who again sold him to
the Sioux Indians of Minnesota.
Twenty five years ago he was sold by the
Chippewas to the Snakes and Copperheads of
Iowa. When this tribe removed to Missouri,
he accompanied them, and afterwards went
MIA and Oregon, and finally proceeded as far
north as the Russian possessions near Behring'S
Straits, and there with portions of the Greeks,
Utahs, and other large bands of Indians, they
at present remain. Their principal point of set
tement is about three hundred miles from the
North Pacific Ocean, and about twenty-five
hundred miles to the northwest of St. Paul.
One of the points In the Russian Territory
where the tribe occasionally visits is ''RusSian
Fort,'' which is laid down on the map as near
the Colville River. The hero of this arrange
adventure says the Fort is in the vicinity of
small river, the name Of which, other than that
given by his tribe, he does not know.
The Snake and Copperhead Indians trade
with St. Panl, having semi-annual train to
that place. The train has about :, 900 Indians.
One party starts from st. Paul about the same
time that the other starts from their hunting
grounds, thus meeting about halfway. The
turs are packed on ponies. elks and dogs.
On their last semi-annual trip, the hero OF
these adventures received pass from one Of
the Ohiefs-ssM CO. -chew-a-wa"-to seek out
his relatives, and, If found, to remain with
them awhile. The pass requires his presence
in St. Paul at their next trip in 1860. Seven
of the tribe accompanied 'sMo-kos-e-que-qua"
for that is the Indian name of the young
man-to Chicago. From that place he has
footed it most of the way to Cleveland. AT
Fremont his features were recognized by
man bearing a strong resemblance to one
Joseph Todd. who is said to have resided in
Cleveland about thirty years since.
For some time past the young man has been
diligently engaged in tracing up his history,
and what we have given above is the result of
his enquiries. He says he has no desire to
leave his Indian associates, as he has wife
and two children among them He speaks Eng
liSh we'll, having learned it, he says, in his tra-
ding at ST. Paul. He says his hair was cut,
and his clothing changed to conform to white
usages, before leaving ST. Paul.