The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-10-30

Il
peals, however. it is extremely probable
that the ladies would not have been re-
leased, had not General Adams risen
from his seat, and told the Indians that
they must decide afirmatively or nega-
lively Immediately, otherwise he would
leave imm diately and permit the SOL
diers to pursue their own course toward
the Indians. They then promised to
release the prisoners Internationally,
with the hope, however, that the Gem
eral would use his best efforts to stop
the invasion of the soldiers for the
present.
On the morning of the 22d inst, Cen
eral Adams started north to meet the
soldiers, and at the same time the cap
tives were permitted to leave for the
south. The Indians seemed 10th to
nave them depart until assurances
could be given them that Adams would
prevent the soldiers coming in. But
none of their objections were needed,
and they marched OH, crossing the Gun
nison, and coming up the Uncompah-
gre until they reached Ouray's house
last evening, having been two days and
one night on the road.
The history of the prisoners during
their captivity forms most pathetic
chapter. After the killing of Agent
Meeker, the women attempted to es-
cape into the brush from the burning
buildings. Mrs. Meeker was fired at
with the result of flesh wound in the
hip four inches in length. Miss Meeker
and Mrs. Price were called to: "Indi-
ans no shoot white women. Stopl In
dian no hurt
They were mounted: Miss Meeker,
with Mrs. Price's eldest child, four
years old, tied behind her; Mrs. Price,
with her infant in her arms, and Mrs.
Meeker, who is sixty four years of age,
and lame from her wound.
When they struck the camp at mid
night, Mrs. Meeker was dismounted,
and fell to the ground unable to move,
and the Indians surrounded her, and
added to the misery of the situation
by jeering and haunting "the old white
squaw."
The next morning they were separa-
ted, Douglas retaining the charge OF
Mrs. Meeker, and Persune taking Miss
Meeker, while Mrs. Price and children
we're in the charge Of an Uncompabgre
Ute.
The sufferings of Mrs. Meeker were
ndescribable during her stay with
Douglas, whose squaw abused her by
neglect, pushing, striking and taunts.
On one occasion Douglas threw down
blankets and compelled Miss Meeker to
dismount, saying they were going into
camp. He then said they were going
to stab them, and exhibited the butcher
knives to be used for the purpose.
Then he placed musket to her fole-
head, saying: "Indian going to shoot ~
The brave girl never flinched, and
laughed at the burly savage. He asked
her if she was afraid, and her ready re-
sponse,
II am not afraid of Indians or
death, "elicited the admiration of there
devils. They turned upon Chief Doug
lass with derision and he skunk from
the presence of the brave Miss Meeker.
Soon after this they were placed in
charge of Chief johnson, and through
the instrumentality of Johnson's squaw
their condition was very much improv-
ed and further indignities were pre-
vented.
Apprt he lsions as to the treatment
of the captives to fate worse than
death have happily proven not to be
sustained by the facts. and the captives
arrive safe, but worn out by the indig-
mites detailed above. Susan proved to
be the guardian spirit, and had it not
been for her intercession the fate Of
the women would have formed one of
the blackest pages of the Indian dev-
iltry.
Last night, on the arrival of the cap
tives, Ouray expressed great satisfac-
tion, and this morning on their leaving,
Chopota, wife of Ouray, wept like u
child.
The agency effects were destroyed,
the women only saving such clothing as
they happened to have on.
Mrs. Meeker was permitted to enter
the burning building to get her money
and .'spirit book, as she told the In
dians it was.
The money, $50, was taken from her.
Miss Meeker had $50 in the building
and Mrs. Price small amount which
was destroyed by the flames. Through
the fearful ordeal OF captivity Mrs.
Price and Miss Meeker almost fought
for the rights of poor old Mrs. Meeker.
They could use little Spanish and Ute,
and their defiance of intruding Indians
and readiness to resent insult to the old
lady, challenged the respect Of even the
blood-thirsty aborigines. They would
push the savages right and left when
interfered with. and on making COM
plaint to Susan, would face the Indians,
while Susan laid down the law and
penalty until that warrior who dared
TO murmur his bravery has been unexl
ampled, and to this fact may be at
tributed the many favors of which they
would otherwise have been deprived
The Indian runners, prior to the re-
lease of the captives, reported, "white
squaws heap brave"
l