The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-11-07
THE MEEKER FAMILY.

Thrilling story of Their Captivity-How su
san. the Ute Woman, Effected Their Re
lease-How the Captives Jared Durin
Their Life Among the savages.
correspondent OF the Denver Tribune, Il
chronicling the arrival at Los Pinos Agency O
the women and children captured by the Ut
Indians at the White River Agency, gives tn
following highly interesting narrative of thei
captivity and final release:
The ladies look careworn and fatigued, a,
they naturally would after the exparienc,
through which they have passed during tn.
past twenty-five days, twenty-five of which
thev were captives among savage Indians, in
Wild country, and apparently cut of from cue.
cor. The ladies express themselves as mos
thankful for their early deliverance, which was
almost more than they dared hope for. Said
Mrs. Meeker, 81 hardly knew what to expect
At times the Indians almost ignored us, and
went forward with their councils without re-
garding our presence at ALL again they
leered, and tainted, and threaten,d us;
AZ other times they were comparatively
pleasant There was but one who seemed
determined to protect us. This was Susan,
Johnsons wife, who has shown herself. from
the beginning to tie end of the troubles, a
woman OF tine feeling, and genuinely humane
and kind in her disposition TO her fellow
creatures. can never forget her or repay her
tire family. She is good woman. Yes, as to
the threats, said she, being requested TO pro-
coed, 1--WE hardly expected to see the faces Of
our friends in civilized land; yet we never
lost nope, yet at times were very respondent
indeed We hoped, and yet We feared, at all
The entire story Of the captivity is of inter
est When Gen. Adams approached which
was noticed by the Indians, they rushed the
captives into secure place in the brush, where
100 has
curely guarded while the conference which was
held was in progress. Their camp was on a
tributary of the Grand river. OF course the
arrival of Gen. Adams was hailed with JOY, but
hve long hours passed before they knew
whether he brought them deiverance or he
would be compelled to go away and leave them
with their horrid captors. The council which
succeeded Gen. Adams arrival lasted five hours,
aud was marked by great vehemence on the
part Of the Indian orators who took part. There
were two parties-a peace and war faction
and for while war seemed bound to win the
day In the pow-wow Susan, the squaw, who
Is referred to above, took leading part in the
controversy, and she raised her voice for
peace, and she did good work susan, besides
being Johnsons wife, liz a sister of the great
chief, Ouray, whose counsel is still more
weighty among the Indians She was sup posed
to represent her brother IN measure. Her
words were listened TO with respect and were
allowed to have their full weight Notwith-
standing her entreaties and Gen. Adams
presentation of the case, it at one time seemed
as If the Indians would refuse absolutely to
surrender their captives. They were deter
mined to keep and make the most of them
Susan was followed by her husband, John
son, who also made speech advocating the re-
lease OF the captyes-in fact, made strong
appeal in favor Of the women, setting forth
their great grief and the advantage 10 the In
dams in this release, which might secure
special consideration for them when it should
come to arranging treaty. He quoted and
dwelt with emphasis on Ouray's advice to the
Northern Utes. twas a novel attempt, as NAV
well be imagined, to see a squaw ADDRESSING
the hardy warriors Susan has taken first
rank as leader among them. The instance
was the first one on record Of a squaw joining
an important council and taking prominent
part III it. As is well known, the Utes make slaves
OF the women, and, so far as their councils
are concerned, impose the same silence on
them that St Paul did. 1t is supposed that in
this case Susan was listened to because she was
supposed to represent Ouray, and to Ouray the
Indians now look to cave them in procuring
peace. At any rate she obtained hearing.
and she pleaded well johnson, her husband
an influential chief, is supposed to have been
brought by her to the advocating Of peace
policy, for, as he will be and has been regarded
as in large measure responsible for it, now
to see him come boldly forward and advo-
cate lenlent measures conviDces one that
Is possible even among savaces.
their eloquent appeals, how
ever, IL Is probable that the ladies would not
be released had not Gen. Adams risen from his
seat aud told the Indians that they must give |
an affirmative or he would give immediate |
orders to the soldiers TO pursue their own
course toward the Indians. They then prom |
sed to release the prisoners Internationally. I
with the hope that the General would use his |
best efforts to prevent the invasion of the SOL |
iiers for the present.
The history OF the prisoners during their |
captivity forms most pathetic chapter After
he killing of Agent Meeker, the women at
empted to escape into the brush from the
burning building. Mrs. Meeker was fired at.
With The result Of a flesh wound in the hip. four
inches in length. Miss Meeker and Mrs. Price
we're called 10 by Indians: mo shoot white
stop; Indian no hurt" They were
mounted; Miss Meeker, with Mrs Prices eldest
hild, years old, tied behind her: Mrs. Price.
WIN her infant IN her arms, and Mrs. Meeker,
Who Is "a years of age, and lame from her
wound. When they struck the camp at mid
right, Mrs Meeker was dismounted, and fell
o the ground unable to move, and the Indians
her and added to the misery of The
ituaton by jeering and haunting the old
1hite squaw.S The next morning thew were
eparated, Douglass retaining the charge OF
irs Meeker, and Persune taking Miss Meeker.
Ihile Mrs. Price and children were in the
barge OF an Uncompahgre Ute.
lns suHerlnSs or Mrs. Meeker were indie
'ribable during her stay with Douglass, whose
luaw abused her by neglect, pushing, striking
1d taunts On one occasion Douglass threw
OWN blankets, and compelled Miss Meeker to
smount, saying they were going into camp.
e then said they were going TO stab them,
I'd exhibited tho butcher knives to be
sed for the purpose. Then be placed
rlusket to her forehead, and said,
Indian going to shoot" The courageous
ri never flinched, and laughed at the burly
wage. He asked her if she was afraid, and
'r ready response, l am not afraid of In
ans or d eath," ELECTED the admiration of the
d devils. They turned upon Chief Douglass !
derisioD, and he skunk from the presence of
e brave Miss Meeker. Soon after this they !
ere placed in charge of Chief johnson, and,
rough the fundamentally Of Johnson's !
uaw, their condition was very much i'm =
owed, and further indgnities ceased !
Susan proved to be tie guardian spirit, and
a it not been for her intercession the fate of
g women would have formed one Of the i,
ackest pages of Indian deviltry.
Through the fearful ordeal of captivity :
RS. Price and Miss Meeker almost tonight a
r the rights OF poor old Mrs. Meeker.
icy could use little Spanish and Ute, and Q
cir defiance of intrudipg Indians. and read-
ss to resist insult to the old lady, challenged