Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-04-28
NUMBER Is.

devoureh them. Jouincying, they finally
passed the height of land between Maine
and Canada, and struck upon the head
waters of the St. Francis. At first II was
only . small stream which they could
easily step across. but Sc they descended,
II grew larger and soon became . river.
Then they came to the canoes which the
Indians had left on their outward journey,
and worn cut with hunger and toll as
they were, the captiyes were rejoiced
when they reached them. Their journey
down the river WAS rapid and as they
approached the Indian village. the ln-
dians INDUCED in six uhoops, three Tor
their captives and three for the scalps
which they had taken.
They soon came to the village. Itwas
dark, but the Indians made it light IS day
with their torches. The number OF Indian
warriors At this place was seventy. Tho
caplives were surrounded by swarthy
forms on every side. with terrible coun.
,enances and strange language, no
word OF which they could understand
There was great rejoicing among the
Indians at the success OF the expedition,
and serious apprehensions began to ill
the minds OF tho captiycs lest, in their
drunken revelry, the sayagos might do
them harm. But it seems thoro was
company of English soldiers near land
as soon a. they ascertained the captiyes
had been brought in, they sent Tor them
and shut them into the yard. which greatly
relieved their fears. The Indians took
great fancy 10 Benjamin Clark, and hay-
ing cut of his hair and painted his lace
they dressed him in the garb oil an Indian
chief and gave him his liberty.
1t was fourteen days after Segar and
CLARK were captured before they reached
Canada, and into those fourteen days
were crowded suiferings. both mental
and physical, such as ale rarely expert
encsd in n lifetime. The captivcs were
soon after taken to Montreal and delivered
to the British commander, who paid the
Indians in British gold the stipulated
price for the prisoners. and also for the
scalps which they took from those whom
they had barbarously murdered.
Plato, the colored captive, was sold 10
a Frenchman, and subsequently returned
to Captain Ringe. hi, former master.--
Scgar and Clark were thrown into Jail
with nearly hundred others and wero
guarded by rencgades who had deserted
from the States. They were abusive and
cruel 10 the prisoners, and oftentimes
cheated them out OF their allowance OF
food. They remained in prison rntil late
in the spring OF 1872. After ths glorious
victory at Yorktown when the British
army under CORVALLIS surrendered 10
Washington, which ended tho war. ar.
rangcments were made Tor an exchange
OF all prisoners, and Segar and Clark
were put on board vessel and taken 10
Boston, where they arrived the latter par.
of November. They Immediately set out
for their friends in Newton. where they
were received with great joy. Nearly
fifteen month, had elapsed since they
were captured by the Indians. during
which time. nothing had been heard from
them, and thoy had long been moarned
as dead.
After remaining In Newton long enough
to recruit their strength, they again set
out for Bethel, where they arrived shortly
after the declaration Of peace.
When the Indians were in the town Of
Ncwry on their way 10 oplundcr the settle.
ment at Bethel. they stopped at tho house
OF Benjamin Barker who WAS one OF tho
early settlers Of Newry. At this time
there was visiting at Mr.. Barker's, two
ladies named Miss Mary Russell and Miss
Betsey Mason. The Indians entered the
house and robbed it OF all the vsluables
they could find. and not being satisfied
with this, they took from the young
ladies their beads which they carried
away with them.
When Segar and Clark returned from
their captivity they found these young
ladies at Bethel and married them. Segar
married Miss Russell aud Clark Miss
Mason, alter which they built their houses
upon the farms they had already began
upon, where they spent the remainder OF
their lives. Segar's place was in the
lower part Of Hanover, and Clarks q
short distance above Bethel Hill. We
believe that both farms are yet in posses-
sion Of their descendants. They survived
to a good old age and reared up large
families. They lived 10 sec the wilder
ness give place 10 fruitful fields and tho
town filed with an industrious people.
Clark died few years first, but Segar
lived to be nearly or quite ninety Years
Of age and is well remembered by the
writer OF this sketch.
Among those who now till the sell Of
Bethel. may be found many OF tho grand
children and great grand children OF the
persons named in this true story and
among lhe latter there are doubtless, some
who have but a Limited knowledge oil the
tolls, hardships and pcrils of their FORE
fathers.
In journeying along the banks Of the
Androscoggiu, ,throush the town OF Bethel