The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-04-09
NUMBER IL.

being not a particle OF doubt as to the
identity Of Frances. A. Two years had
passed since the letter was written, aud as
it stated that the old lady at that time was
under preInonition of death. an inquiry
was addressed to Col Ewing by John J.
Slocun, the nephew Of Frances. nromuk
reply, dated at Logansroit. came 30 hand
saying that the old lady was still! alive. and
would be glad to see them. The letter
contained minute directions As TO the course
they were to take 20 reach her. Arrange
6nents were at once made 30 do 50. Mr..
Isaac Slocum and Mrs. Mary Town, brother
and sister of Frances resided in Ohio. but
not in the same neighboIhoOd. Joseph
Slocum, of WillIesbarre, another brother,
started in his carriage, taking his sister,
while Isaac went in advance. it being
agreed that they should meet at Deaf
Mans Village. Isaac reached the place
ahead Of the others, aud, accompanied by
an interpreter, made a call upon the lady,
who received them pleasantly, but evident
~ with suspicion. The brother found her
to all appearances 4 perfect Indian, but he
had fixed in his mind an unerring test of
her identity. Previous to being carried
away, fif1y-nne years before. her brother
Ebenezerhad crushed the fore-fnger Of her
left hand with hammer. Taking hold Of
her hand and raising il, Isaac saw the dis
figurcment. s'Ehat caused that - he
asked. 'NTy brother struck it with ham
mer a long time ago. was the answer.
lie remained some time in conversation.
bat the woman did not seem at ease, anI
he returned to the village Of Peru to await
the arrival orhis brother and sister. when
they came the three made them another
visit. Size treated them with the sama
kindness as before, but was stocjal aud
unmoyed, and when she saw Gears in their
eyes aud every indication Of a coming
scene she looked anything bat pleased
The only time she showed any signs OF
emotion was when she was asked her name.
She replied that it was forgotten. is it
Frances - Her dus!<y features suddenly
lit up and she nodded her head. eyes,
YES, Franca, Frauca." The visit was pro-
longed for several days, and some months
Iatcr was repeated. some OF the nieces and
nephew j1i i>E the parry.
On The day when lt;le Frances was CAP
tured, lif. f.y-nine years before, she was car
ried rapidly through the woods. and final
halt was made near the Genesee River. La
the following spring she was taken to San
dusky, where she stlycd until autumn,
when her Indian friends removed to Mag
ara, where she lived a year In accordance
with the nomadic habits of her people, her
home was continually changed. Her great
est dread was of being discovered by her
relatives and taken away, and there is no
doubt that when the weary mother was
hunting up aud down the earth, she more
than once came within hail of her lost child
who carefully avoided her. It was fortu-
nate they never met.
Frances had been married 10 n Miami,
by whom she had four chiidton. She was
wealthy and held in the highest veneration
by her tribe and descendants, many Of the
latter being around her. After a time she
seemed to form quite an attachment for her
brothers, who of course, were old men, and
she offered them half her land If they would
live near her. They in turn pressed her to
join them further east, but she thanked
them and declined. She was an Indian in
everything except birth, and such she lived
and died.