Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-02-07
"A Thrilling story.

| On Saturday morning the western train
brought TO this city man and a woman
who related story that if true, land there
is no reason to doubt ii) has few equals
even in romance. The persons were hus-
band and wife, their name Kimbail, aud
they formerly resided in lie neishborhood
of Syracuse, N. Y. Their story was sub
stantially asfollows.
In lS4S, in company with party Of
sixty-ihree, the Kimbalis started for Cali
fornia by the overland route. In the par
| ty were their father, an old man and three
sisters. They passed on westward in the
usual manner without accident, until tLe
18th day July. They were then on the
plains, far from any settlement, and as
they were pursuing their way, were sud
denly surprised by large party of Indians.
The little party was immediately y put in
as good condition for defence as the time
would permit; the females being placed in
the center. Down came the Indians like
a whirlwind, but they meta resistance as
obstinate as desperation could produce
The white men fought for their wives, and
fought nobly-so Well indeed, that when
the contest was ended, there were Of the
party of sixty three, but thirteen left, in
c!udiag men and women. The Indians
took what punder they wanted, tied the
prisoners in pairs, aud continued their
rambling expeditions. The next day they
halted and prepared TO dispose Of their
prisoners. The old man Kimball was
made to 'run the gauntlet" for bis life
He was too feeble for escape, and, wounded
and completely exhausted, was tied 10 a
stake ard burned. The younger Kimball
was then brought to the desperate trial.
He was strong aud active. and successfully
underwent the ordeal. The poor man was
almost in despair; his wife and three
sisters were sitting on the ground, and be
was called upon TO choose the one be
would save, wiiha certainty that death by
torture would be the fate of the Others
He chose bis wife, and saved her. The
Indians murdered his sisters in bis presence.
1t was poor privilege he had SO dearly
bought. They were obliged toperform men
ial duties for their captors, and the woman
was often treated with brutality. Follow
ing the Indians from place 10 place without
an opportunity to escape, they lived till
1859, when their party met a United
States surveying company. kimball told
his story to the whites, and one of them,
an old resident in the country, offered his
aid in effyctiug their escape. The offer
was gladly accepted, and the attempt, after
many months of. intense suffering, was
successful.
Kmbal and his wife reached this city
on Saturday without money. The railroad
authorities had .'passed" them thus far on
their journey. Depot Officer Clark War
rem took them in charge, cared for them
during the day, and the officers of the G.
& E. R. r. "passei" them over the road
on the afternoon train. A large number
of people visited them in the sitting room
at the depot, and listened TO their story.
Mrs. Kinlball exhibited mark on her
forehead, made by blow from an Indian
war club. One Of her arms. was broken
in the same manner Her feet were cal
loused and the soles were as hard as the
sole of shoe. There were various other
indications that their story was strictly
true, and none who heard them doubted it.
They have friends in new York, who have
doubtless long supposed them dead
CIeyelaRd Heareld.