The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-23
A Very Remarkable Story---If True.
which 1t Is not.
From the Cleveland Herald, Aug. 30.

From the Cleveland Herald, Aug 30
One of the most extraordinary narratives
that we have had the fortune to relate has
Just come under our notice. 1t was told US
by the hero himself, and the most searching
investigation fails to shake the truth of the
story, astonishing as it may seem to be. If
there is any deception in the case, we fail to
see its object.
About twenty-six years ago some Canada
Indians were in Cleveland, and did some
trading with the people. In the course of
the trade the Indians fancied they had been
cheated, and, in order to revenge themselves,
stole three year old boy from the city and
carried it off to Canada. As far as can be
learned the child was stolen from small
brown house, but in what part of the city
or any further particulars 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 Pottawa.
tonnes, who kept him about month. By
these he was again sold to the Paw Paws,
in which tribe he remained month, but as
there was some fears that he would be traced
and taken by the whites, he was traded off
to the Winnebagoes of Illinois and Wiscon.
sin.
How long he remained in the keeping of
this tribe has not been ascertained, but he
was eventually transferred from them to the
Chippewas of Wisconsin, who again sold
him to the Sioux of Minnesota.
Twenty-Five years ago he was sold by the
Sioux to the Snakes and Copperheads of
Iowa. When this tribe removed to Mis-
souri,, he accompanied them, and afterwards
went with them in their migration through
California and Oregon. That portion of the
tribe with which he remained, finally pro-
ceeded as far north as the Russian possess
sions near Bhering's Straits, and there, with
portions of the Greeks, Utahs, and other
large bands of Indians, they at present re-
main. Their principal point of settlement
is about three hundred miles from the North
Pacific Ocean, and about twenty-five hun
dred miles to the northwest of St. Paul.
One of the points in the Russian territory
where the tribe occasionally visits is Rus
sian Fort" which is laid down on the map
as near Colville River. The hero of this
strange adventure says the Fort is in the
vicinity of small river, the name of which,
other than given by this tribe he does not
know.
The Snake and Copperhead Indians trade
with St. Paul, having semi-annual train
to that place. The train has about two
thousand Indians. One party starts from
St. Paul about the same time that the 9TH
er starts from the hunting grounds, thus
meeting them about half way. The furs
are packed on ponies, elks, and dogs.
On their last semi-annual trip, the hero
of these adventures received pass from one
of the chiefs" Ma chew a ava ITO
seek out his relatives, and, if found, to re-
main with them while. The pass requires
his presence in st. Paul at their next trip
in 1860. Seven of the tribe accompanied
Mo-kes.e-que-qua"- that is the Indian
name of the young man-to Chicago. From
that place he has footed it most of the way,
and arrived here yesterday. At Fremont
his features were recognized by man as
bearing strong resemblance to one Joseph
Todd, who is said to have resided in Ceve.
land 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 inquiries. He says he has
no desire to leave his Indian associates, as
he has wife and two children among them.
He speaks English well, having learned it
as he says, in his trading at st. Paul. He
says that his hair was cut, and his clothing
changed to conform to white usages, before
leaving st. Paul.