East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-02-07
A T,,ri.Iing story.

The Cleveland papers na'e iohS ""N
interesting accounts of the return to that
city of man and woman by the name
of KrmBALL, who formerly resided at
Syracuse, n. Y. Their story was sub
stantially as follows:
In ls4S, in campany with party of
sixty-three, the Kimballs started Tor Cali
fomia by the overland route. In the
party were their father, an old man, and
three sisters. They passed on westward
J in the usual manner without accident,
until the Eth day of July. They were
then on the plains, far from any settle
ment, end as they were pursuing their
way, were suddenly surprised by large
party of Indians. The little party was
Immediately put in as good condition for
defence as the time would permit the
females being placed in the CENTER
Down came the Indians like whirlwind,
but they met 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
cluding men and women. The Indians
took what plunder they wanted, tied the
prisoners in pairs, and continued their
rambling expedition. The next day they
halted and prepared to dispose OF their
prisoners. The old man Kimball was
made to "run the gauntlet for his life
He was too feeble for escape, and, wound
ed and completely exhausted, was tied to
a stake and burned. The younger Kim
ball was then brought to the desperate
trial. He was strong and active, and
successfully underwent the ordeal. The
Indians, pleased with his prowess, allowed
him to make q second trial for the lie OF
any female he might choose. The poor
man was almost in despair his wife and
three sisters were sitting on the ground
and he was called upon to choose the one
he would save, with the certainty that
death bv torture would be the fate of the
others. He choose his wife, and saved
her The Indians murdered his sisters
in his presence. 1t was poor privilege
he had so dearly bought. They wer'
obliged to perform menial duties for thell
captors, and the woman was often treated
with brutality. Following the Indians
from place to place without an oppor'
tunity to escape, they lived till lS59
when their party met United States
surveying company. Kimball told his
story to the whites, and one of them, al
old resident in the country, offered hi'
aid in eliecting their escape. The Offer
was gladly accepted, and the attempt
after many months Of intense suffering
was successful.
Kimball and his wife reached this city
on Saturday without money. The rall
road authorities had "passed" them thus
far on their Journey Depot Officer Clark
Warren took them in charge, cared fol
them during the day, and the officers o
the G.. & e. r. r. "passed" them Owe
! the road OH the afternoon train. n large
number of persons visited them in th'
sitting room at the depot, and listened t
their story. Mrs. Kimball exhibited
! mark on her forehead made by blow
, from an Indian war club. One of he
arms was broken in the same manner
. Her feet were calloused, and the sole
: were as hard as the sole of shoe. Their
were various other indications that thei
} story was strictly true, and none WIN
{ heard them doubted it. They hav
| friends in New York, who have doutles
i long supposed them dead.