Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-24
A THRILLING NARRATIVE.
Capture and Escape of Young
Lady from Camanohe Indians.

The Leavenworth Bulletin gives an
account of the capture and escape OF
Miss Sarah Jane Luster from the Ca
manche Indians, which possesses much
interest. She was living in Texas with
family named Babb. Some months ago,
during the absence of Mr.. Babb, band
of Noconah Camanches came to the
house. They were invited in by the
children of Mrs. Babb, but refused until
satisfied that there were no men about
the premises. Then they went in and
attempted to carry off one of the chill
dren. Mrs. Babb, inspired by mother s
love for her children, resisted, and clung
10 the child with desperation; where
upon one of the savages went behind,
seized her by the hair drew her back and
cut her throat
This horrid deed was committed under
the eye of Miss Lustcr, who had taken
refuge in the upper part of the cabin,
and so shocked her as to cause groan
Of agony, thus leading to the discovery
of her presence. She was Immediately
captured (leaving sleeping babe in the
cabin and taken to the Indian camp.
Miss Luster formed the heroic purpose
of immediate escape from the horrors of
her captivity. She soon discovered a
horse of great speed, kept for running
purposes by the Indians, conceived a
plan to mount it, and leave in the direction
from which the Indians had brought
green corn, from six days absence (;
thus showing settlement within three
days ride. Her preparations all COM
plete, she was frustrated by the barking
Of dogs, and compelled to retire to her
lodge. The second effort was made du-
ring a dark and stormy night, that drove
both savages and dogs within doors. She
could not take both the children, but the
eldest, boy, mounted the horse and left
The first day and night exhausted the
strength of the boy, and he was left to
find his way back, or perish upon the
road After three days and nights of
continuous riding, she, becoming COM
pletely Frustrated with fatigue and anxi-
ETY., tied the horse by a larat to her
bonnet, and laid down for rest; she fell
asleep to awake a captive once more to
the Indians; this time 20 :he Kiowas
She was taken to the camp of her new
captors, only to reorganize her plans of
escape, preferring death in an effort for
liberty rather than life in her horrid cap.
tivity.
Once more she escaped with her chosen
steed and after days of weary travel and
nights of slecpless anxiety, reached the
Santa Fe road, sixty miles east of Cow
Creek, Col. Leavenworth' headquarters
Her escape was Immediately reported
by the Kiowas, to the Colonel, and, at
tho same time by white man, who had
seen her at the rancho.
Col. Leayenworth Immediately sent an
escort bringing her to Council Grove.
Miss Lpster, together with another
liberated captive named John Charles
Fremont Houston, are at Council Grove
now.
The latter was captured by a small
band of Tan.a. gwsy Camanches, or liver
eaters, and was rescued from them by
Tah.a mama ca, head chief Of one of the
Yam.per-re-ker, or rooseaters, and de-
livered him to Col Leavenworth, from
whom we learn that both of these es-
capped captives are en- route to this city
and will be at Planters this evening or
tomorrow.