Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-03-08
From the Cleveland Herald, Jan. -.
A Thrilling Story.

/ On Saturday morning the western train
brought TO this city man and woman, wIo
related story that, if true, and there is no
reason TO doubt il. has few equals even in
romance. The persons were man and wife,
their name Kimball, and they formerly re-
sided in the neighborhood Of Syracuse, N.
4. Their story WAS substantially as fol-
lows:
In l84S, in company with party Of
sixty-three, the Kimbslls started for Cali.
fornla by the overland route. In the party
was their father, an old man, and three sis
tiers. They passed on westward in the u.s.
ual manner, without accident, until the l7th
day OF July. They We're then on the plains
lar from any settlement, and as they were
pursuing. their way, were suddenly -
pnsed by large party OF Indl1
little party was Immediately put IN a. Z &
condition for defense as tie time would per-
mil, the females being placed in the centre.
Down came the Indians like whirlwind,
but they met resistance as obstinate a.
de peraion could produce. The white men
fought for their wives, aud fought nobly--
so well, indeed, that when the contest was
ended, there were, of the party of sixty.
three, but thirteen left, including men and
women. The Indians took what plunder
they wanted. tied the prisoners ia pairs,
and continued their rambling expedition
he next day they halted and prepared 10
dispose OF their prisoners.
The old man Kimball wes made 10 ~
The gauntlet for his life. He was foo ~.
bie for escape, and, wounded and complotUIy
exhausted, was tied TO stake and burned
The younger Kimbal was then brought to
a desperate trial He was strong and ac-
i've, and successfully underwent the ordeal.
L he Indians, pleased with his prowess, al
lowed him TO make a second trial for the
life OF any female he might choose. Tho
poor man was almost in despair; his wife
and three sisters We're sitting on the ground.
ana he was called upon 10 choose tho one
he would save, with the certainty that death
by torture would be the fate Of the others.
lie choose his wife, and saved her. The
Indians murdered his sisters in his presence.
1t was poor privilege he had so dearly
9oneht, They were obliged to perform
nenal duties for their captors, and the wo-
nan was often treated with brutality. Fol-
owing the Indians from place to place with.
'ut an opportunity to escape, they lived till
loo9, when their party met a United States
urveying company. Kimball told his story
Q tue whites, and one Of them, an old resi-
lent IN the country, offered his aid in effect
NJ their escape. The offer was gladly &C.
epted, and the attempt, after many months
i intense suffering, was successful.
kimball and his wife reached this city
N Saturday without money. The railroad
authorities had passed . them thus far on
heir journey. Depot officer, Clark Warren,
ook them IN charge, cared for them during
he day, and the officers of the G. & r. Il.
passed them over the road on the
fiernoon train. A large number visited
hem IN the sitting room at the depot, and
stened to their story. Mrs. Kimball ex-
lblied mark on her forehad, made by
low from an Indian war club One Of her
rms was broken in the same manner. Her
-et were caloused, and the soles were as
ard as the sole Of shoe There were
afious other indications that their story
'as strictly true, and none who heard them
oubted it. They have friends in New
ork who have doubtless long supposed
lem dead.