Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-01-24
CAPTunED By COMiNCHEs.
A Texan Youths Uncomfortable -Four
Years Among the Sayages-..His Adj
ventures and Escape.
saA antonio Express.

wears Oh aye ChilSN az = ~ SN@IDftoo VI
flee and stated that he had but recently
escaped from D four years captivity
among the Apache and Comanchc Ia
dams, and was on his way home to
Fannin county, Texas, where he had
parents living. He WAS about six feet
In height, well proportioned, had.an in
teligent countenance and easy, self
possessed manners, although for years
under not the most refining influences.
His garb was Enthusiastically frontier in
its character.
He gave his name as S. Nj. Wills,
and said that four years ago, when but
II years Of age, hearing glowing ac-
countsrof frontier life, he became one
of party Of bufialo-hunters on the
Staked plains. Game was plenty, and
they were making money fast slaughter
ing the bison for its hide. This was in,
1874, the season 80 many thousands Of
buffalo we're killed. Becoming more
venturesome, the party penetrated To
the heart Of the plains and
in close proximity TO tho Indians
engaged in the same business Ono day
four OF the party, among whom was
young Wills, gave chase TO u very fine
herd Of Buffalo, and followed them a
long distance, and many u fine bull fell
n victim 10 their unerri1g rifles. On II
sudden they came on o party Of Apache
Indians i'm the same btlsiness,wllO upon
seeing their mutual foe, left the chase
and attack ed the white mon. Wills was
away from the other men, and, seeing
them shot and scalpcd, surrendered ut
discretion without resisting. llis youth
saved him from immediate death, and
he was taken to camp, and powwow
was held,as to his future fate. He be-
ing fjnc-looking boy, il was decided TO
give him II chance for life by allowing
him the doubtful privilege Of running
the gauntlet.
The savages arranged themselves in
two long lines, armed With arrows,
spears, knives, tomahawks, and clubs.
Wills was stripped of his clothing and,
being placed W the head of this almost
certain avenue OF death, started on his
terrible race for life. Each savage vel.
ling NJ the top Of his voice, made u
deadly pass with his weapon rs tho
poor boy fairly flew along the blood
thirsty pathway. Tho one who sue
eecded in hitting the prisoner was to
have the disposition Of his fate, which
is usually that Of death by the
most horrible slow torture that
could be conceived in the
breast OF the brutal American savage.
On, onnsped the fated youth, md u
hundred deaths had already been pass
ed, while tho end of the terrible lano
was rapidly approaching when,
his strength failing and pace slaekening
q tomahnwk buried itself in his log and
he fell victim to savage barbarity.
Demonical yolls filled the mir rs the
noble red mon " surrounded their fal-
len prey. cagor to finish their hellish
work. Fortunately the lucky captor
conceived an admiration Tor the brave
white boy, and resolved to spare his life,
mt the samo time claiming him as his
especial property. He was attired III
Indian gnrb, underwent the ceronlony
Of initiation rs II brave" war paint
was applied, and hc was now u cheap
big warrior" Although osiensibly ono
of the tribe, nevertheless no was u pris-
onor, and the strictest guard over his
ents was never Withdrawn. lilo
was privileged to hunt and fight, but
always acknowledged ownership IN tho
warrior who tomahawkod him in his
race for lifo. They were always on the
move, and they travelled nun
drods Of miles NJ and down
tho plains and in The Rocky
Tho Apaches and Co
manches at this time were nv war, and
his band meeting a purity ofComanclles,
II battle ensuod. Ho entered fully III
TO tho fight with his friends" nndshav
ing his pony shot was captured by tho
Gomanchcs.
Being already considered virtually nh
Indian, he was spared tho terrible OK
perience of his first capture, md was
without further ceremony admitted into
the band rs u Comnnehe warrior, and
soon he became great lnvorite.
He had now been among the Indians
over u year, and had been injured in
the hardships of Indian life. His was
il band Of what il usually termed among
frontiersmen dog soldiers" being com
posed principally Of young men who
refuse 10 come under restriction, and
consequently are outlaws before tho
law, and are so treated by the military
authorities. Consequently they must
be constantly on the mevc, and tho
band with whom was the hero of this.
sketch, in the three years that ho was
with them, travelled from Texas to the
British Possessions. His varied ex
perienccs--- privations and hnrdships
would ill u volume, and are altogether
too long to embody here.
Last summer the band got back TO
the Indian Territory and on the Texas
border, and the hope of seeing his home
again took strong hold Of his mind, ana
he determined TO mako m effort to IS.
cape. Wero IL not for again meeting
father, mother, brothers. and sisters, he
would never have entered civilization
again. as he had become perfectly con.
tented with life among the Indians, IN
fact, rather preferred IT, Some time in
August tho band was on " buffalo hunt
III northwestern Texas, and, becoming
separated from them in pursuit ola fine
herd, he continued his way south, rid
ing until his hcrse fell under him dead.