Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-01
THE BRAVE LADIES.
The Rescued Female Captiyes
of the Utes-Their Treatment
by the Utes and Rescue.

October 25. via Del Norte, October 2S,
is as follows:
Captain Kline, Major Sherman, and
Saunders arriI ed at Ouray's house last
night with Mrs. and Miss Meeker and
Miss Price and her two children, little
girl OF four and nuring babe. They
came to the agency this morning and
start East in the afternoon.
The captivity OF twenty-five days
through which they have passed has
been a terrible trial, and its scenes and
incidents will never be forgotten. They
were delivered over 10 General Adams
on the Dist inst, in the camp on trlt-
utary of the Grand river, after council
lasting five hours. The council was
very heated, and at one time 1t Was
thought that the Indians would refuse
General Adams demand. On the APP
proach OF General Adams the captiyes
were hid in the brush short distance
from the camp. During the council
Susan, a sister Of Ouray and squaw OF
Johnson. made speech, strongly adj
vocating the release of the prisoners,
the first instance on record OF a squaws
appearance in an important council.
She was followed by Johnson, who
quoted Ouray's orders and advice. 1t
was not until General Adams threat
ened to leave unless the prisoners we're
released uncOnditiOnally that the peace
party prevailed.
The history of the prisoners during
their captivity forms most pathetic
chapter. After the killing OF Agent
Mceker the women attempted to escape
into the brush from the burning build
ings. Mrs. Mceker was fired at and re-
ceived a flesh wound i'm the hip four
inches in length. The Indians called
10 Miss Meeker and Mrs Prince in the
following words S:-"Indians no shoot,
white woman stops Indian no hurt.
After being secured they were mounted
on ponies. Miss Meekcr with Mrs
Prices oldest child tied behind her, Mrs
Price, with her infant in her arms, and
Mrs. Meeker, who Is slxty-tour years oil
age, and lame, were compelled 10 accom-
pany their captors. When they struck
camp at midnight, Mrs. Meeker was
dismounted and fell to the ground, un-
able to move, and the Indians surround
ell her and added to the misery of her
situation by jeering and taunting the
cold white squaw." The next morning
they were separated, Douglass taking
charge of Mrs. Mcekcr, Persane of Miss
Meeker, and Mrs. Price and children
being guarded by an UnCompahgre Ute.
The sutFerings of Mrs. Mecker were
indiscribable during her stay with
Douglass, whose squaw abused her 10y
neglect, and by pushing, striking
and taunting her. On one
occasion Douglass threw down
some blankets and compelled Miss
Meeker 10 dismount, saying that they
were going into camp. He then said
thev were going to stab them, and eX-
hibited the butcher knives to be used
for the purpose. Then he placed a
musket TO her forehead and said, "ln-
dian going to shoot" The courageous
girl never hinched and laughed at the
burly savage. lie asked her If she was
afraid, and her ready response, 81 am
not afraid of Indians or Of death" elicl-
ted the admiration OF the red devils.
They turned their derision upon Chief
Douglass and he skunk from her pres
enCe.
Soon afterward the Captives were
placed in charge of Chief Johnson, and
through the instrumentality OF John
son 5 squaw their condition was very
much improved and further indignitles
prevented.
Apprehension as to the treatment OF
the captives To a fate worse than death
have happily proved to be unsustalnei
by facts, and they arrived here in safe
", although worn out by the indlgnl-
ties detailed above. Susan proved to be
their 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 history OF Indian
deviltry.
Last night, on their arrival, Ouray ex-
pressed great satisfaction, and tins
morning on their departure, Chapta,
the wife of Ouray, wept like child.
The agency effects were all destroyed,
the women only saving such clothing as
they happened to have on. Mrs. Meek
er was permitted to enter the burning
building to get her money and spirit
book" as she told the Indians. The
money, $50, was taken from her. Miss
MeekeT lIl SNU III lllt buliuihE' gnu
Mrs. Price a small amount, which was
destroyed by the flames.
Through the fearful ordeal OF captiv-
ity Mrs Price and Miss Meeker almost
fought for poor old Mrs. Meeker They
could use little Spanish and Ute, and
their defiance Of intruding Indians and
their readiness to resent insults 10 the
old lady challenged the respect OF even
the bloodthirsty aborigines. They would
push the sayages right and left when IN
teriered with, and on making complaint
to Susan were always able TO foil them
in their brutal attempts. Susan land
down the law in favorable manner,and
woe unto that warrior who dared 10 muir
mur. The bravery of these ladies has
been uncxampled, ani to this fact may
be attributed the favor which they
otherwise would not have received. The
Indian runners, prior to the release oi
the captives, reported that the white
squawS were cheap brave The state
ments Of the captlves have been taken
in detail bv INSPECTOR Pollock for official