The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-03-25

Ous Il was 81 llldl COutQ lAOt
stir for a long time. As soon as they got
wagon on fire and killed the cattle; then
made Sophia and I ret on horses and tied
Us on, took our two little sisters up in
front Of them and started off as fast as
the horses could go. We Travelled all
day, going due south, ] should judge.
One squaw tried to save Rebecca's life,
but the Indian she hit with the ak said
he would have her scalp, and SO she was
shot.
"After travelling two days we crossed
a railroad track (probably A., Z. & S. F.
The day after we got pover -the-urailrosd,-
Medicine Mai with small party left, anu
were gone until late in -the afternoon.
When they came up to US they had three
fresh scalps and q number OF articles of
wearing apparel that must have belonged
10 man, woman and small child also
had lot of..canned fruit and oysters. At
ter keeping US riding nearly two weeks
the main camp near the Staked Plains was
reached. Stone Calf had, command. and
when they brought rs In all the tribe
turned out and had a great time. The
sane night they had a big scalp dance
over the scalps of our family, and made us
all look at il.
1.-Two days after the main hedy of In
dians were reached, they took sisters
Julia and Nancy away from the campand
l have never seen them since. Sophie
saw them onca, about December, butenly
for few minutes. All of rs were one
day placed on horses, and after the Indian
fashion, nrade 10 ride as fast as horses
could go. and the Indian who caught us.
had to take care ofus for good.
"SoOn after this the whois bndy Started
north to get ont Of ashe way of the troops
which, tNas reported, were close athand.
stone Calf, with Sophie, was left behind
with about 100 more, and the rest, under
charge of Gray Beard, Eagle Head, Heaps
of Bird aud Lean Bear, still kept on north.
In about week, while ehcarnped on Wolf
Creek, the soldiers again made the Indians
run. l did not see them, but heard the
guns. All of this time was on horse
back and a good deal of the time very
sick; had to ride all the time, and at night
was often whipped and beaten, because /
could not carry as much wood and water
as some of the -squawS. ALI this time
was under charge of Long Back. At
timesl was nearly frozen, having nothing
but Blanket to keep warm with at night.
Sometimes there would be foot OF snow
Oil INC SIBuiltt, WI
lust as hard. This was about December
LIST. My feet We're frozen, and the nails of
nv right foot all came off. In january
met sister Sophia for a short time, and she
told me-we were better, to be killed" Oh, 3
The reported asked Catherine if she
thought they would kill her, AMI she an
swered, ono, ] always thought the sol
diers would release us some time. and told
Sophia not to be afraid. In the latter part
of January received "a letter from Gen.
Neil, brought to the camp by a KiOwa
scout, telling me TO keep up good spirits
and the soldiers would soon capture us.
A second letter was received soon after
this, but the Indians would not let me
open il. They, FUSED to let me look att,
butwould not let me take it into my own
hand. AS soon as these letters were re-
ceiyed. felt ever so much better. From
this time until Romeo met us, the Indians
treated me much better. We had but little.
to eat. Horses and dogs were all the meat
we had. When the kiowas were IN camp
with the letter, they would not let me ont
of the lodge, for fear they would steal me
and take me to Fort Sill. d. ....---....,-
lone squaw was at times very kind to
me, but all the rest used TO strike me
every chance they had. They used TO
paint me every few days.
about month ago was sure the midi
ans were going to surrender, as Stone
Calf and Eagle Head with their bands
Joined ours and all started north. did
not see Sophia all this time. but knew she
was near me, az the sqGaw that had been
good to NE said, Little sister with Stone
Calf At last Medicine Water came to my
lodge and teld me | was to be given up.
asked him to let me see Sophia, and he
answered, SISTER dead | did not believe
him, and one day Stone Calf told me she
was alive and well. About two weeks ago
saw a foHr-horse wagon coming toward
our camp. and as soon as it was near
enough started to run out and meet it,.
The Indians would not let me, but made
me 90 into a tent. Soon Romeo came TO
me and spoke to me in English. 1t was
the first time heard it for months. He
said might go with him and he would
take good care of me.
IL got into the ambulance, and there
for the first time in two months saw So
phia. We at once left the Indians behind,
and in two days came in sight OF the sol
diers' tents. where | saw Gen. Neil, Mrs.
Miles and all the rest who were so kind to
me. ! could not help crying. Mrs. Miles
is as kind as mother to us"
"Did they take all the clothes away from
YOU at the time you were captured?'
A" Yes: and only gave me an old blanket
to keep warm with. d"
Can you identity the Indians who made
the attack Oh your family ~ -f.J 81
Il have seen them all fifty times since,
and can tell them all.' trt III
How many of them was there?'
Seventeen men and two squaws." 4
"Have you seen the sqrlaw that hit your
father with an ak, since!n
"Only once"
"Was Medicine Water one Of the war
party %, w e-E-F A.t 3 .sf
: {" lie seemed to be the leadern w
"Did they scalp all the family after they
were kiIled?'' &
"All except Johanna. She had been
sick and her hair was very short.n
How was Sophia treated after she left
yOu?n ----..--------
From what she tells me, she had a
much easier time than did. She was only
whipped once or twice, and did not have to
carry so mitch wood and water"
.sWhere viii you go. now that you are
rescued from the Indians?" O. 81
II don't know yet" she replied. Z"
would prefer to remain here than to go
back to Georgia. If and Sophia can Get
a good school education here, | would
rather stay here than 60 anywhere-they
are so goodtome.P =C,-Ev II. gr
got desiring to trouble her any further.
for she seemed very much gfatigled, the
reporter withdrew, extending his thanks
to both Catherine and Sophia, as well as
Mrs. Miles. a.k a3E.f. ~
And this is the full story of the Smoky
Hill massacre. which has been untold fol
nearly nine months.
The details of the recapturc of the two
younger girls are well known by every
reader of the Times, and require no repeti
ton at this time, r
d" The Cry of Cougar. 5s
A gentleman living on the mountain
about mile and a.half southwest Of thi: