The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-03-25
a RGM tNCE 0F THE BORDER,

A RGM tECE OF THE BORDER.
Many interesting stories have been
woven out of the incidents of frontier life.
particularly in connection with the Indian
wars, but not unfreGuently a case is de-
veloped which goes to show that even in
this department the romance of The real
transcends the ideal, and we think the lit .
tie history we have got TO tell, and which
is substantially true, is an instance OF this
character
On Wednesday last, a rather strange
looking party might have been seen per-
amhulating the streets of our city. a
certain popularity in THAR dress and gait
would at first have conveyed the ides
that they were Indians, but when their
faces nd persons were attenliyeiy
examined, one was convinced that, al
though evidently fresh from an uncivilzed
lif', they belonged to the Saxon race -
The man had long bair flowing down his
back in a taugle of ringIets, but neverlhe-
less singularly fine and glossy. He had
an unkempt beard, almost concnaling \
rather handsome face, and looked about
thirty years Of 2ge. The woman was.
perhaps, little older and appeared fell of
vigorous health and had roguish but
rather prepossessing coun!enance. The
boy was about SIX years of age, with
black, sparkling eyes and evidently pos
sessed of no small intelligence. The par
ty visited the office of the Chief of Police,
and during their stay the following par
ticulars concerning their history we're
given, and in a manner 40 simple that no
doubt of their truth could be entertained:
The mans name is Kimball, and his
companions were his wife and child In
1913 he was captured by the Indians,
when on his way to California, and car
ried into the interior. He was not trest-
ed cruelty, but his escape was carefully
pFevented, and years elapsed and he re-
nained still captive. Gradually he
became accustomed to Indian life and
half reconciled TO its wild freedom and
savage accompaniments. After eight or
ten years had passed he met among the
Indians of another tribe a young Ameri-
can woman who. although not only resi-
dent but thoroughly domesticated among
the savages, retained the marks of her
parentage We need not describe the
incidents of their intimacy. Love vows
are quickly consummated under such cir
cunstances. and in due time Kimball be-
came the husband Of the Indian Ameri-
can girl, and they continued TO live
among the Indians, enjoying a fair share
of happiness Kimbali learned that his
wife had been captured on the frontier
when a child, but was so young at the
time that she retained no remembrance Of
her parents or friends, or the circsmstan~
ces under which she was carried off
In the course of time the husbend,
who had learned the Indian language,
taught his wife TO speak Epglish, and an
imaginative mind may picture them sit
ting over the camp fire and talking of the
strange destiny which had shaped their
lives. II is not surprising that they nj
timately framed the design of gaining
civilization The birth of their child
made the father moro anxious TO carry
this into effect, and he has at last sue
ceeded, his wife accompanying him. On
reaching the frontier they were without
money, and were considerably delayed,
but finally managed to-reach this country.
The mans intention was TO reach, if pos
sibly, Springfield, H., where, he says,
he formerly had some relatives, and then
if he could obtain some means, to 90 on
to New York, where he has a brother
living. Their visit to the Chiefs office
was in search of transportation TO Spring
field, and they were referred to the Mays
ors office. Kimball is fully Eersed in
Indian manners, and exhibits also, we
regret to say, . truly savage proclivify
for sire water" otherwise whisky. He
can give the war-hoop dance, Indian
dances, and, in addition, performs sundry
athletic ftats which are quite remarkable,
We must not forget to add that he and
his wife exhibit the livelie=t affection for
each other, and appear contented and hap
py. The boy is exceedingly bright, and
speaks English well, aud Indian better.
st. LOUIS R.pubhcDn.