The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-01-30
A Thrilling Story.

The Cleveland Herald Of the 2Sth, con-
tains the following remarkable story:
On Saturday morning the western train
brought to this city man and woman who
related story that If true, (and there is no
reason to doubt iD has few equals even in
romance. The persons were husband and
vile, their name Kimball, and they formerly
resided in the neighborhood of Syracuse, N.
Y. Their story,was substantially as follows:
In lS48, in company with party of six
ty.three, the Kimballs started for California
by the overland route. In the party we're
their father, an old man, and three sisters.
They passed on westward in the usual man.
ner without accident, until the 17th day Of
July. They were then on the plains, far
from any settlement, and as they were pur-
suing their way, were suddenly surprised by
q 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, 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 expe.
dition. The next day they halted and pre-
pared to dispose OF their prisoners. The old
man Kimball was made to "run the gaunt.
let" Tor bis life. He was too feeble for es.
cape, and, wounded and completely exhaust.
ed, was tied to stake and burned. The
younger Kimball was then brought to the
desperate trial. He was strong aud active,
and success lly underwent the ordeal. The
Indians, pleased with his prowess, allowed
him to make a second trial for the life of
any female he might choose. The poor
man was almost in despair; his wife and
three sisters were sitting OH the ground,
and he was called upon TO choose the one
he would save, with the certainty that death
by torture would be the fate of the others.
He chose his wife, and saved her. The In.
dians murdered his sisters in his presence
1t was poor privilege he had so dearly
bought. They were obliged to perform
meniai duties for their csptors, and the wo.
man was often treated with brutality. Fol
lowing the Indians from place to place with
out an opportunity to escape, they lived till
1859, when their party met United States
surveying company. Kimball told his story
to the whites, and one of them, an old resi-
dent in the country, offered his aid in effect
ing their escape. The offer was gladly ac-
cepted, and the attempt, after many months
o. intense suffering, was successful.
KimbaI aud his wife reached this city on
Saturday without money. The ailroad au.
thorties had "passed" them thus Tar on their
journey. Depot Officer Clark Warren took
them in charge, cared Tor them during the
day, and The officers of the G. & L. K. R.
"pnssed" them over the road on the after
noon train. A large number visited them
in the sitting room at the depot, and listened
to their story. Mrs. Kimbal exhibited d
mark on her forehead, made by blov from
an Indian war club. One of her arms WIS
broken in the same manner. Her leet were
calloused, 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 doubt
less long supposed them dead,