Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-03-21
THE PRISONERS ADVENTURE.
A STORY OF WYOMING VALLEY.


| THE PRISONERS ADVENTURE.
| STORY OF WYOMING VALLEY.
One evening III December, 1889,
George p. Ransom, ,Ja James Butterfield,
and John Brown, all young men, paid
a visit to the house of friend near
the Wyoming Valley, for the purpose
of spending an hour or two in the So
ciety of three young ladies. Ransom,
although less than twenty years OF
age, had already made his mark in
his country's history. He, in com
pany with others, reached the scene
of the famous Wyoming massacre OF
l778, shortly alter the Indians had
withdrawn. Among the dead and
mangled, one of the first forms that
he discovered was that of his beloved
father, who had commanded a company
in battle, and whose name is engrav-
ed on the celebrated Wyoming mon
umen!
Young Ransom had joined Sulli-
vans army, was in the battle of New
| ton, and ON the occasion of which we
speak, was absent on furlough. The
three young men were cordially re-
ceived by the young ladies-,as Is
generally the case on similar ucca-
sions-and all was proceeding as
merrily as several marriage bells,
when three laundering knocks start
led them all Young Ransom knew
Immediately the meaning of this. By
some means the enemy had gained
knowledge of his whereabouts, and
had come to take him and his friends
prisoners. They instantly looked
round for some way to escape, but on
going to the windows, they found
them guarded, and before they could
hit on any expedient, the door was
burst open and band Of Tories and
Indians swarmed in.
The whole party were made priso-
ners and Immediately hurried up the
mountain, the captors apprehending
an attempt at rescue from the fort at
Wilkes. Barre, which was but short
distance away Before the arrange
ments for the night were concluded,
the young ladies were released and
shortly after all three came into the
fort. Here the alarm gun was in-
stantly fired, but the only good it &C,
complished was to apprise young
Ransom and his friends that the girls
were with their friends.
Before the party lay down for the
night, one of the Tories told Ransom,
in most emphatic manner, that if one
of the prisoners should effect his es-
cape, the others should most certain
ly be put to death. In the middle of
the night, when all but himself were
asleep, Randall succeeded in unloos-
ing his bonds, and could have darted
away in the bushes without the pos
sibility of re-capture. But he had no
reason to doubt that his escape would
be fatal to his companions, and he,
therefore, re-tied his things, resolved
to share the fate of his companions,
in captivity.
The next morning was bitterly cold
and tempestuous, and the prisoners
were nearly starved. But they were
loaded down with packs, and COM
PEELED to plod onward until Tioga
Point was reached when an old horse
was slaughtered, and they Jared sump-
tuously so long as it lasted.
The destination was Niagara, the
headquarters of the leading Indian
tribes. Before reaching this point,
large body of Indian families Was en-
countered, and young Ransom was
told that he must undergo the de-
lightful ceremony of "whipping"-
He was thus singled out as target
for special indignities, as he was in
the uniform of the continental army,
and was thus known to be an active
enemy.
Ransom was seated on a log, and
told that he might dodge the blows
as much as he pleased ; but that in
case he left the log he should be put
to death. The chief was the first
who, muttering some unintelligible
jargon, gave him blow, the queen
did likewise, and then came some
thing over forty Indians, followed in
turn by about as many squaws and
horde of children, who showed the
venom of vipers. As each was allow
ed to strike but one blow, Ransom's
adroitness enabled him to avoid near
ly all of them.
1t was nearly two weeks later that
the prisoners reached Niagara. Here
they were removed to Prisoners Is
land" in the St. Lawrence, forty-five
miles above Montreal, where there
were hundred and sixty-six Ameri-
can prisoners. They were guarded
by Tories belonging to Sir John John