Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-03-26
INDIAN ATROCITIES.

rhe Sad Fate ofthe Gormain Family
The story as Told by One Of the
Young Ladies' Just Rescued from the
SRvRges.
From correspondent of the Kansas
City Times, who has Just arrived here
from the Cheyenne Agency, your CORE
spondent has learned the following con
cerning the two German girls, recently
restored from. captivity with the Chey.
enne tribe:
Catherine, the elder, has suffered un-
told cruelties from the demons who
have had her in their possession. She
told the following story;
"My fathers family consisted of him
self, Lydia G., his wife, and seven chill
dren Rebecca, aged 81 Stephen, 10; Jo.
hanna, 10; myself, II; Sophia, II; Julia,
| z, and Nancy, B. We left our old home
in Morgantown, Fannin County. Ga,
about five years ago, and removed to
Howell County, Mo, From there we
went to Kansas, and, when overtaken by
the Indians, were going to Colorado for
my sister JohaDna's health.
1--WE encamped on the banks of the
Smoky Hill River, in Central Kansas,
about fourteen miles from the track of
the Kansas Pacific Railroad, and within
thirty miles of Fort Wallace, on Thursday
night, Sept. 10, 1874 The next morning
/ went down the rivers bank to drive up
the cattle and, when returning, heard
shots and yells. Running toward the
wagon saw my poor father shot through
the back and my mother tomahawked by
big Indian. They were both scalped
while yet living. An old squaw ran up
and stuck an AK into fathers head and
left it there. Rebecca seized an AK and
attempted to defend herself She was
soon overpowered and knocked down in
sensible. While lying on the ground,
| covered with blood, she was made the
victim of the most horrible outrages,
after which the Indians tore her clothes
of, and covered her up with bed-elothes
from the wagon. These were set fire to,
and my darling sister was burned to
death. Stephen was killed next, his scalp
being taken. Sister Johanna and myself
were placed side by side, and they came
up to inspect us and see which one they
should kill. The choice fell on poor Jo-
hanna, and she was shot through the
head.
"Tying us-Sophia, Julia, Nancy and
myself-they hurried us across the prai
ries, going south. My clothes were torn
from me; l was stripped naked and paint
ed by the old squaws, and made the wife
of the chief who could catch me when
fastened upon horse which was set
loose on the prairie, l don't know what
Indian caught me. l was made the VIC.
tim of the grossest outrages by nearly all
in the tribe, and was beaten and whipped
time and time again. They made
me carry wood and water, like the
squaws. l had to kill dogs and cook them
for the Indians to eat. We had nothing
but dog-meat and horse meat.
During the time we were away from
the home camp on the Staked Plains ]
nearly froZe. The snow was very deep
and had nothing to keep me warm but
a blanket. Both my feet were frozen,
and my nails came off from my feet.
| Sophia was with me hut little of the
time; where she went don't know.
81 am positive that l can identify
every one of the seventeen members of
the party that murdered my family.
Medicine-Wate was with them, and
believe was the leader. l do not care tc
go away from here, as l have no home
They are very kind to me at the Mission
and feel that good Mrs. Mills is as s
| mother to me-"
Sophia is spry little girl for her age
and does not apparently appreciate hel
condition.
This virtually ends the Indian troubles
as all have surrendered except struggling
bands WGctfta, Kan, (Hdrch 15) Cor
Chicago Tribune.