The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1875-07-17

lie Judged from certain answers made by
the old lady that her home was somewhere
i'll that State.
The letter reached its destination, but
when the postmaster came to read IL hC
concluded it was Il hoax, and flung il
with some waste papers, where il lay for
two yeHrs. At the end of that time the
postmaster died, and his widow, in over.
hauling his effects, came upon Col. Ew-
ing's letter. She had never heard tho
name OF SIocunr, but thinking there was
something in it, she sent the missivc 10
the Lancaster IRtelIigeHcer, copy of
which, containing the letter, fell into the
hnnds of the Rev. Samuel Bowman, who
was intimately acquainted with the Slo-
cum family, and he mailed paper 10 her
brother, who lived in Wilkcsbarrc.
The reception of the letter threw the
whole community into excitement, there
not being particle of donUt us to tho
identity Of Frances. AS two years had
passed since the letter was written, and ms
it stated the old lady was under pre-
mnnition Of death, mn inquiry was adj
dressed to Col. Ewing, by John J. Slo-
cum, nephew Of Frances. 4 prompt
reply, dated at Logansport, came to hand,
stating that the old lady was still alive,
and would be glad to see them. The let
ter contained minute instructions as to
the course they were to take to reach her.
Arrangements 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 neighborhood.
Joseph SlOCum Of Wilkcsbarre, another
brother, started in his carriage, taking
his sister with him, whilst Isaac was 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 n
call upon the lady, who received them
pleasantly, but evidently with suspicion.
The brother found her to all appearances
an Indian, but he had fixed in his mind
IN uncrring test Of her identity. Previous
to being carried away, fifty-ninc ycarsbc
fore, her brother EbrncZer had crushed
the fureiinger Of her left hand with ham,
mcr. Taking hold of her hand and rails
| ing it, Isaac saw the Disagreement.
"WhGt caused thnt2" lie asked. ANY
brother struck il with hammer long
time ago." was the answer
lie remained some time in conversation,
but the woman did not seem Mt ease, and
he returned to the village ofPcru to await
the arrival of his brother and sister.
When they came the three made another
visit. She treated them with the same
kindness rs before, hut Stoical and un-
moved, and when she saw tears in their
eyes, md every Indication Of II "scenc"
she looked anything but pleased. The
| only time she showed any kind Of emotion
~ IIhnn elm tN.0c ocl-nI ln,
replied il was forgotten ais il Franccs2"
Her dusEy features Suddenly lit up. "Ycs,
| yes, Franca, Franca." The visit was pro-
longcG for several days, and some months
later WAS repeated, some of the nicces and
ncphcws joining the party.
On the day when little Frances was CAP
turcd-59 years bcGorc-she WIS carried
rapidly through the wood, and final
halt was made near the Gcncscc river. In
the following spring she was taken to San
dusky, where sho stRiA until autumn, when
the Indian friends moved to Niagara
where she lived year. In accordance
with the nomadiC habits Of her people, her
home was continually changed. Her great
est drcnd was of being discovered by her
| relatives and taken away, and there is 40
doubt that when the weary mother was
hunting up and down the earth, she more
than once came within hnil of her lost child
who carefully avoided her. 1t was for
tunatc they never met
Frances had been married to q Miami,
bywhom she had four children. She was
wealthy, and held in the highest vencra-
| tiun by her tribe and descendants, many
of the latter being around her. After n
time she seemed TO form quite nh attach
mcnt Tor 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 farther
cast, hut she thanked them and declined.
She was am Indian in everything except
birth, and rs such she lived and died.