The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-12-02
For the Courier.
BEULAH, WEsTMoRELAND, Go. !
PENN, Nov. 20, 1869.

= VI tue NOu'leI.
BEULAH, WEsTMoRELAND, Go.
PENN, Nov. 20, 1859.
A hundred years since, when the
prairics of tho West, were unexplored
and unnamed, and when Ohio and
Indiana, were almost an unbrokcn
forest, the region FROM which l
write was, the Far West, where few
hardy and adventurous settlers wero
trying, amid many difficulties, to
make homes. The Indians were
many and bold, the settlers were few
and exposed.
There, on the left slope oil the lit
tic valley which | see from my win
dow, might have been scena "clear-
ing" the cabin on tho hack of the run
being the home OF a Jersey emigran:
named Byram. In the winter of '73
tho dcprcdations of the Indians were
such that the settlers we're compelled
to flee for safety TO the Fort, four
miles distant. Spring came, and By
ram ventured forth, his little daugh-
ter accompanying linn, to visit their
rude home. Thcir reconnaissance
made, they started for home, little
Abby with y basket sfcggs, and tho
father with his axe and his trusted
rifle. Stopping moment to make
up breach in the fence of his little
wheat field, in moment tho Indians
were rushing upon them. Byram
raised his rifle but the thought OF
little Abby made him throw it down.
They were captured without resist
ance.
A long and sore journey, on foot
through forests and streams and over
mountains, was the result whether
to death or captivity, they knew not.
The wife and mother returned with
the opening summer, and occupied
that lone cabin, so sure that death
had been the fate OF her husband and
child, that little daughter born soon
after the capture was named for the
lost one-Abby.
The captives were treated BY the
Indians with unusual favor. The
life of Byram, was spared, and the
chief adopted little Abby as his own
daughter.
Some months terthey were given
up to the British as prisoners of war,
the father sent to prison, and the
daughter made servant in the fami-
ly of n British officer.
After lying two years in prison
for Rebels, Byram was released, on
condition that ho would take charge
Of a company of disabled and sick
prisoners, Of whom they wished TO
get rid, and conduct them in mid
winter through New York SHOWS and
forests TO the headquarters Of the
American army. He undertook the
charge with great reluctance, and,
after incredible bardships-worse
than Imprisonment or captivity-he
got through to Philadelphia with his
daughter and the Survivors of his
company.
A letter, sent rot by Telegraph nor
by Railroad, at length reached tho
lonely mourning wife, and while she
was reoding it the negro man Tom
came running with tho tidings "La!
Missus Massa Edward is coming -
The Reunion was to both like life
from the dead.
Little Abby had boen left at an
unclos in Now Jersey and some timo
later returned to her childhood's
home, after an absence of six years.
This account received from the lips
Of little Abby Il few years since
this time very aged yet sprigh by
lady, living on the old farm near tly
place Of capture, surrounded by atho
merous posterity. J. NJ. NJ.
Samuel S. Boyd; Solicitor OF Pat
ents, 208 Pine Street. st. Louis, Mo-,
officially reports tho follovinp PAT