The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-01-28

u
strictly true. The mans name is Bannister
Gibson he was born in Perry county, Pa.
His parents were wealthy and we'll connect
ed, and the son enjoyed unusual facilities
of education. In the spring of 1854 he
moved to the State of Illinois, and worked
at his trade in Rock Island county. Being
q millwright, he assisted in the erection of
several mills in the county. In the year
1860 he moved to the, state of Minnesota,
and on the breaking out Of the Indian war
he enlisted in the state militia for the pro-
lection of the frontier against the depre-
dations of the savages. In an engagement
with them he was shot down and left for
dead on the field, and was SO reported by
the commanding officer Gibson, though
shot through the head and shoulder was
not killed, but was made prisoner by the
indians, who transferred him from one
tribe to another, using him in the capacity
of a servant, and in any way that they
could make him useful to them. After
many weary months of captivity he was
sent to Alaska, in which region of intense
cold, and many hundred miles away from
any white settlement, he succeeded in max
ing his escape, and after many perilous es-
capes from death by wild beasts and star
walton, he succeeded in reaching the route
of emigration to California, to which state
he went but being unable to work at his
trade on account of the lameness of his
hand or to ay,ora ora IN onv ,,thar
that would support him, he came to the
conclusion to return to his native State.
He travelled slowly. Several years were
passed among the mountains and in cross
ing the plains, during which time he lived
in true Indian style, mixing with them
freely, and learning to speak their Ian
guage, and becoming much attached to
their mode of life. In the fall of 1869 he
arrived at Muscatine, on the Mississippi
river, and crossing at that point took up
his residence in hollow maple tree on the
river bottom, where he spent the winter,
subsisting on muskrat and mink, and from
the sale of the furs getting some Other
necessities of life. 1t seems strange that a
man who had once enjoyed the com forts Of
life should be willing to endure the priva
tion and hardships of such home ; YET
Gibson seemed to be perfectly satisfied
with his condition, and showed but littls
disposition to seek for change. In the
spring the high water drove him from his
domicile in the tree, and he took up his
abode in straw stack on the farm o
Henry Murdoch, where he was staying
when saw him. He spends most of his
time in fishing, in which employment he is
quite successful, and in exchange for his
fish receives many little articles, provisions
clothing and an occasional newspaper from
the farmers, among whom he is regarded
with much favor. Gibson has been a fine
looking man, six feet il height, with {
pleasant expression Of countenance, anC
pleasing address is well informed on al
subjects of general interest, and would, ne
doubt, if once more surrounded by the re
fining influences of civilized life, become 9
useful citizen. But such has been the in
fluence of the wild life he has led for thu
last ten years, that it is doubtful if he will
ever return to his friends, who he think
believe him to be dead, as he has neve
written to them. AT the time of my meet
ing with him he promised to write me ;
sketch of his life for publication, but as
have never heard from him since, Civ
these few items as nearly as can remem
ber them, and should they ever meet tn
eye of any of his friends in the East, will
cheerfully give them all the information il
my power"
Gro. M. KELLER, Asst. Marshal.