The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-11-14
Wife from the Wild.

In the early history Of a certain
mining town of the Montana frontier,
is embalmed a wild little bit of ro-
nance, which correspondent of the
Alta California derives from the recital
of one who witnessed what he relates.
When said town was but camp,
where company of hardy miners had
"struck new prospect" an Indian
tribe of the vicinity overtures for
treaty, whereby they were to receive
arms and tobacco in exchange for
their protection of the gold-seekers
from other savages. Confident of their
ability, to defend themselves, the min
ers declined negotiations and the In
dians were melted by this to either
tempt a qurrrel, or induce a bargain
for another kind of exchange for, on
several successive days, they rode in
state through the camp in picturesque
ly warlike procession; central figure
Of the barbarous pageant being a
white girl about 15 years old, dressed
in Indian fashion and with superb
hair reaching almost to her feet.
Whether this spectacle meant defiant
taunt, or a challenge for ransom, was
what could not be at once decided by
the miners generally; but one of their
number, an Englishman who, because
he had been educated at German uni
versity, was known in camp as Dutch
Pete" was so moved in his chivalrous
sensibilites as to halt the chief of the
red braves with his rifle and demand
an immediate surrender OF the beauti-
ful white captive. Through an inter-
prefer the painted warrior answered
that if the girl were his captive she
had been such since her earliest infan-
cy, when he had taken her from
train of emigrants on the plains; and
as for surrendering her, he should do
nothing of the kind without fght,un-
less his white brothers chose to buy
the young lady with adequte arms, am
munition, and tobacco. The miners
were at first inclined to try the virtues
of rifle and powder without mercantile
stipulations; but, upon satisfying
themselves that the girl, despite her
complexion, was a veritable savage,
and had no thought of appealing, for
rescue, they allowed the Englishman
to work upon their abstract civilized
humanity for a barter. The articles
demanded were accordingly given to
the mercenary old chieftain; who
then, with characteristic lack of senti-
ment, directed the whites TO take
their human prizes Upon compre-
hending the disposition thus made of
her, that prize not only exhibited no
qualification at the change, but kicked,
screamed, and bit at her new masters
like a young colt. Seeing the stolid
Indians departing, she gave way to
such frenzy of wrath and vengeful
grief that it was actually necessary
to confne her in a strong cabin under
bolt and bar. A majority of the min
ers believed that they had made a
most Improbable trade, and doubted
that the "young wild beast" as they
called her, would never rest until she
had killed either herself or some one
else, but the Englishman volunteered
to pay her whole cost. if desired, from
his first gold dust, and tame he- into
civilization and usefulness by sheer
force of kindness. In the latter part
of his undertaking he experienced
danger as well as difficulty; for the
white savage once bit the palm of his
right hand through and through when
he offered food to her in her prison,
and again scalded him fearfully in
the face with pot of boiling coffee.
Patiently and with unvarying kind
ness he persevered, however, and by
slow degrees taught her to speak some
English, and to understand that only
the tenderest of treatment was intend
ed for her. In short, after about six
months of tanning, the girl was sufii.
ciently reclaimed from wildness to ac-
cept the situation more intelligently,
and act as cook for the encampment,
though never able to realize that she
had not been born an Indian. With
the rapidity Of growth, peculiar to
good mining "placers,' the encamp-
ment presently developed into town
oy IhS diIlNdi VI new cdupdnleS anu
enterprises. Other women emigrated
thither from California and the East,
missionary established a church, a
capitalist opened hotel, and the law
organized its system. All this occur
red in few years, during which time
the belle from the wild was educated
converted to christianity by a mission
airy, and then became the wife of the
Englishman who had been her so faith.
ful benefactor. The two are even now
the host and hostess of a prosperous
eating-house Of the town, and may be
seen by any traveller willing to test
their excellent fare.
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