Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-10-30
A WIFE FROM THE WILD.
The Romance OF a Montana Mining
TOWn.


In the early history Of a certain min
ing town of the Montana frontier is en-
balmed wild bit Of romance, which a
correspondent Of the Alta Californian,
derives from the recital Of one who wit
messed what he relates. When said town
was but camp, where a company Of
hardy miners had struck a new pros
pect," an Indian tribe of the vicinity
made overtures for treaty, whereby
they were to receive Arms and tobacco
in exchange for their protection OF the
gold-seekers from other savages. Conh-
dent of their ability to defend themselves,
the miners declined negotiations; and
the Indians were melted by this to either
tempt quarrel, or induce bargain for
another kind of exchange; for, on sew
eral successive days, they rode in state
Through the camp in picturesquely war
like professions, central figure of the pa
geant being white girl about fifteen years
old dressed in Indian fashion, and with
superb hair reaching almost to her feet.
Whether this spectacle meant defiant
taunt, or 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 a German uni
versity, was known in camp as Dutch
Pete was so moved in his chivalrous
sensibilities as to halt the chief OF the
red braves with his rifle and demand an
immediate surrender Of the beautiful
white captive. Through an interpreter
the painted warrior answered that the
girl was his captive; she had been such
ever since her earliest infancy, when he
had taken her from q train Of emigrants
ON the plains; and as for surrendering
her, he should do nothing Of the kind
without fight, unless his white
brothers chose to buy the young
lady with adequate arms, ammunition
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 verl-
table savage, and had no thought Of ap-
pealing for rescue, they allowed the
Englishman to work upon their abstract
civilized humanity for a barter. The
articles demanded were accordingly
given to the melancholy old chieftain,
who then, with characteristic lack OF
sGn.2 sIn ,ha;r brmon nr;ze Unon
on~, ~ hond;na tbe d;sposition thus
oonpi Ip I ns NJ tbat nr;ge not only OK
inss.l lnaue y, "r. r,,;Gast;pn ot the change
hloiieu ~ s sso"aanad and h;t at ber new
.n".saea puv h,enIi I;Ie a yonng coli Seeing the
.oi;I l.aH'SiS Tnd;ans an donart;ng sbe gave way
ssoiu L"u'dna f.anasioe ap'' wre,b and vengefnl
W sSoI NJ 4 waS octmaIIv necessary 10
Sr,ee .n%s :, s,rong cah;n nnder holt
COMPS heI n'i A . ma;oriiv Z of the miners
AM anu a,.,sd DaI' ,bot ,bsv had made most I'M.
oenssuI ne,aiio e'',s troJa onJ donLtod that The
Rron.aoie R LII 5iJue boastn % os t5ev called
youms s,lJ T avar rest until she had killed
nei' MTu'u huaoIc ~, 81 % sn,na' one olse lint the
sI e,lnei herse'a n.narod " SU E ~ nov ber whole
r.n ''s.,"n e J"s;.oJ from his frst cold dust
eos1' .n,'o Il ueIn ha. NO c;v;l;1at;on and use,
anu slIa aa%e h,, NJ 49, E sorca oS kindness lin
.ulhess ,un 1.oy W Snu "r, &c b;s undertaking he
lile ia'.ea PaLs do,Oor W % ao weil os d;fIicSlty.
eAperlenIeu uanssl o. 800 b;t tbe noln, of
lor 'ne wh'te SamJ Sa1ase thron1S oS and thronSh
nls risn. anaad nan ED - ber in nrison
wnsn ny ono aoaIJoJ him faarfnllv in ibe
allu agaIi L ssa ga, oe hn;I;ng coffee pa
Iace mi.n ! ;,h pEih - rnDory;pg k;ndness he