The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-22
INDIAN CAPTIVEs.
History of the Captivity by the Indians of Two
tAtt.o Giris--IEow Their Release Was LIZ
iccted--an Aaectionnte Sanayv.

! History OF the Captivity by the INDIANS of TIVE
i.istso Girls--IIow Their Release Was LIZ
fccted--an Aaectionntc Sanaw.
| WASHINGTON, Nov. 90, 1862
| About noon to-day an Old gentleman, accompanied
By two pretty little girs aged respectively about five
and years. called at the White House and asked
| for an Interview with the President The affection
ate displayed by the old gentleman Tor his little
| companions might well have led any one to sup
| pose that he was their grandfather other near
| relative. But a few moments talk with him would
dspel the idea The interesting little pair not
| of his blood, but proved TO be capnves ransomed
| from the Kowa Indians in 1868. The old gentleman
| was Col j. Il. Leavenwortn, formerly one OF the
Indian agents Of government. who came to the
Executive Mansion for the purpose OF enlistlug the
sTmpathles of the President in behalf or his two
little WARDS
The story OF these little children Is OF more than
common interest. In January, 1853, band Of the
Kiowa Indians made rad into Denton county
Texas, killing and capturing q number Of white
men, women and children Among these captiyes
were two famties-tne Fitzpatricks and the Longs
10 either OF which our two little ransomed children
must belong, for all the rest known to have been
victims 10 the raid referred to have been accounted
for. Fitzpatrick with his wife, infant boy and TWO
little daughters was journeyng through Denton
taken by the Indians, sealped and put to death.
The poor wife was obliged to witness her husband s
slaughter, and FELL weeping and faintng, upon the
road side. In this condition she herself was
buchered, and the brains OF her little boy dashed
| out on rock. The two girls were committed to
the tender mercies OF the Kiowa sauawS, who
wrapped them up in blankets ana bore them OIL
into captivity.
Colonel Leayenworth, the agent OF our govern.
ment at the time In that region, heard OF the
outrage that had beea committed ana commenced
proceedings to obtain the release OF the capiives.
Our story, however, must be confined to the two lit
tie girls referred to above.
Coionei Leavenworth happen ed to meet the Kiowa
cheitain, Para.ga-solt, and abruptly catechized him
relative to the murder OF the whites IN Denton
county and the abduction OF children.
"Why did you kill the white man and his wife and
pappoose, who were travelling along the road
IN Denton, and carry away their two little Chi.
drenSn SAID LoavenWorth to the cheltain in indian
dialect.
at this Para-ga-soit held down his head and. turn
ing to a squaw that was with him, said 70 ncr:--
.'How does the Gray Eagle tine Inoian name given
! TO Colonel Leayenworth) know this ~
| Colonel Leavenworth, who understood the tongue
perfectly on hearing this remark Of the cnleftain,
| knew that Para-ga-sot was the leader OF the band
4
severely for having been concerned In it. The In
dlan held down his head remorsefulIy and remained
1 silent. Colonel Leavenworth asked the ch!eftain
what he had cone with tae two little children, and
heard that they were In the custody OF some OF the
/ sguaws OF the tribe. The Colonel then demanded
! their release, at tho same time oaering TO pay
| handsome ransom, though our government did not
allow any remuneration 60 be paid for captiyes held
| by the Indians. Colonel Leayenworth Know well
that there would be hope OF obtaining their
release otherwise, ana that had ne demanded theil
4 nth fnrFN ItNfIta
have slaughtered the children rather than give them
up. The Indian chief promised to release the little
/ girls and departed.
| one day while Colonel Leavenworth was absent
| from mis- agencF, some twenty mites away, some Of
the Indians brought 10 his secretary the two little
| girls and released them. As The children were toe
young for man TO take care OF, the secretary sen
| them 70 friendly squaw, called Cheyenne Jenny
| with directions to watch over them In the most at
! tentiye manner Tines had not been long under tns
care Of tins squaw when the Indians again and
| carried the children OF Colonel Leayenworth on
returning his agency and hearing OF TINS act was
hotn grieved and inceused, but felt more tran ever
DESTROYS OF releasing the poor little orphan children
! warded with SUCCESS. Three OF the indian
chiefs brought the children to him and
fortunately, however, Leavenworth found himself
IN the same embarrassing tx az his secretary. lie
Wep cv nroe r over Gre sn1 g a1
nursing. All went well for a while, and the Colone
hoped tnat his wards would be safely cared for
such time as he could send them INTO some civilized
place their proper training would be attended
10. But one day Cheyenne Jenny came running /,
tho agency, with tears IN her eyes and moaning bit
terry. IL WIS the same story over again. Tne In
dams han visited her place and run OF witt
me children once more. Ihe poor squaw, WIT
had become deeply attached to the girls, seemed
| heart broken, and Colonel Leavenworth himSel
| was scarcely less affected. Alter all bis exertion
II was too bad TO have the little orphans, VINO had
| been twice released again captives In this strai
friendly Indian chief volunteered his assistance
| lie tod LeAYenwouh not to lament for he Uh
cnleD would See thai the children should be givel
! up Tor gOod. This CHIEF started of IN pursuit. ant
In the meantime Colonel leayenw ortb had sent mcs
senger3 ior military support, but ia vain On INNS
! preie&ts the military authorities or the dstriS
refused 10 give aid ana after while Colonel Lea
wentworth found himself alone and surrounded b.
nearly $4,000 Indians, some OF whom were friendly
10 him. he knew not what hour would brinl
FORTH and considered that was Just about ~ likely
| he himself would DO slaughtered that the cnil
| depart with INN IN safety. In this dreadful
situation he maintained the most perfec
| composure, showing not the leAst slgi
| Of fear, though internally anticipating the mos
| direiu results Aftcr waltiDg FOR two days In thl
| dreadful state or suspense, tue sounds OF ap
proacnlng band OF INDIANS were heard, and TIL
band Itself came IN view, led by three cnieftaius
two OF whom carried with them the captive children
| Not word was spoken. The two chieftains, WIFI
! the children, quletly came forward and laid tn
| girls beside Colonel Leavelworth in MS ambulance
| The Colonel was allowed TO depart with his restored
| wards aud soon after came on 10 this city, wher
| he placed them in q protestant Orphan Asylum. u
this house for riendess children the litte girls ar
| attn Kept. They have been named respectively
/ Helen qnd Heloise Lincoln. The surname OF Lincoln
4 was given tnem by Mr. Ortiz, member or Conres
| from Indiana, after the lately nartyred President.
Colonel Leavenw ortbs intention ~ 10 ask Congress
70 appropriate $4,000 from the indian funds, VIII