Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1875-05-12


ton, but when the postmaster
came to read it ne concluded it a
hoax, and flung it aside among
some waste papers, where it lay
for two years. At tie end Of that
time the postmaster died, and his
widow in overhauling his effects
came upon Colonel Ewing's letter,
She had never heard The name Of
Slocum, but thinking there was
something in it, she sent the mis-
sive to the Lancaster Intelligencer,
IA copy Of which, containing the
letter, fell into the hands OF the
Rev. Samuel Bowman, who was
intimately acquainted with the
Slocum family, and he mailed the
paper to her brother, who lived in
Wilkesbarre.
The reception Of the letter threw
the whole community into excite
ment, there being not particle of
doubt as to the identity of Frances.
AS two years had passed since the
letter was written, and as it stated
that the old lady at that time was
under a premonition of death an
inquiry was addressed to Colonel
Ewing by John j. Slocum, the
nephew of Frances. A prompt re-
ply, dated at Logansport, came to
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 to reach her. Arrange
ments were at once made to do so.
Mr.. Isaac Slocum and Mrs. Mary
Town, brother and sister of Frances,
resided in Ohio, but not in the
same neighbour. Joseph Slocum,
of Wilkesbarre, another brother,
started in his carriage, taking his
1 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, and, accompanied by an
interpreter, made a call upon the
lady, who received them pleasantly,
but evidently with suspicion. The
brother found her to all appearan-
ces perfect Indian, but he had
fixed in his mind an unerring test
of her identity. Previous to her
being carried away, fifty-nine years
before, her brother Ebenezer had
crushed the fore-fnger of her left
hand with hammer. Taking hold
of her hand and raising it, Isaac
saw the Disagreement. "What
caused thatp he asked. "My broth
err struck it with a hammer long
time ago." was the answer.
He remained some time in con-
versation, but the woman did not
seem at ease, and he returned to
the village of Peru to await the ar
rival of his brother and sister.
When they came the three made
her another visit. She treated
them with the same kindness as
before, but was stoical and un-
moved, and when she saw tears in
their eyes and every indication
of a coming "scene," she looked
anything but pleased. The only
time she showed any signs of emo
ton was when she was asked heI
name. She replied it was forgot,
ten. "Is it Frances Z" Her dusky
features suddenly lit up, and she
nodded her head, ayes, yes, Franco
Fraca." The visit was prolonged
for several days, and some months
later was repeated, some of the
neices and nephews joining the
party.
On the day when little Frances
was captured, fifty-nine years be
9 fore, she was carried through tn,
, woods, and final halt was made
near the Genessee river. In thu
following spring she was taken t.
Sandusky, where she stayed un
til the autumn, when her Indiai
a friends removed to Niagara, where
, she lived a year. In accordanc,
, with the nomadic habits of her PEG
. pie, her home was continually chang
ed. Her greatest dread was beinl
4 discovered by her relatives an,
taken away, and there is no doub
9 that when the weary mother wa
y hunting up and down the eartt
she more than once came With
hail OF her lost child, who CAREFUL
avoided her. 1t was fortunate the
never met.