The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-03-01
NEW WORKERS ELEVEN YEARS CAP
TIVE AMONG THE SNAKE INDIANS.


On Saturday morning the Western train
brought to this city man and woman who re-
lated story that, If true land there is no rea-
500 TO doubt it, has few equals even in France
The persons were husband and wife, their
name Klmball, and they formerly resided 10
the neighborhood of Syracuse, n. Y. Their
story was substantially as follows:
In lS4S, IN company with party of sixty
three, the Kimballs started for California by
the overland route. Ia the party was their
father, and old man, and three sisters. They
passed westward in the usual manner with
out accident until the 18th daV Of July They
were then on the plains, Tar from any settle
ment, and 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 defense as the tune
would permit-the females being placed in the
center. Down came the Indians like whirl-
wind, 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 thr-
teen left, including men and women. The In
dians took what punder they wanted, tied the
prisoners in pairs, and continued their ram
bling 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 lie. He was too feeble
for escape, and, wounded and completely ex-
hausted, was tied to stake and burned. The
younger KImball was then brought to the des-
Perate trial. He was strong and active, and
successfully underwent the ordeal. The In
dians pleased with his prowess, allowed him
to make a second trial for the life OF any ie-
male he might choose. The poor man was al
most in despair his wife and three sisters were
sitting on the ground, and be was called upon
TO choose the one he would save, with the GER
tainty that death By torture would be the fate
of the others. He chose his wife and saved
her. The Indians murdered bis sisters in his
presence. 1t was poor privilege be had so
dearly bought. They were obliged TO perform
menial duties for their captors, aud the woman
was often treated with brutality. Following
he Indians from place to place without an OPP
poTtunity TO escape, they lived till 1889, when
their party met a Unted States surveying COM
pany. KimbaIl told his story to the whites,
and one OF them an old resident IN the coun-
try, offered his aid IN affecting their esca De-
The offer was gladly accepted, and the attempi,
after many months OF intense suffering, was
successful,
KImbalI and his wife reached this city on
Saturday without money. The railroad au-
thortIes had passed them thus far on their
journey. Depot officer Clark Warren took
them in charge, cared for them during the day,
and the officers OF the c. & E. Rd. passed them
over the road on the afternoon train. A large
number visited them in the sitting room at the
depot, and listened 20 their story. Mrs. Kim
ball 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 was SO callonsed, and the soles were as
as hard as the sole OF a 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.