The New York herald., 1879-10-29
Miss Meeker to Douglass 81 Fear
Neither Indians Nor Death.
PROTECTING HER MOTHER FROM INSULT.
The Redskinned Bully Shamed
Before His People.
SQUAW SUSANS GOOD OFFICES
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
Los PINos AGENCY, Col, Oct. 20,
via DEL NORrE. Oct. 2S. 1879.


via DEL NoRTE, Oct. %. 1879.
Captain Kline, Major Sherman and Saun-
ders arrived at Ouray's house last night with
Mrs. and Miss Meeker and Mrs. Price and her
two children, little girl of four and nursing
babe. They came to the agency this morning
and start east in the afternoon.
A sQUAw's INTERCEssIoN.
The captivity of twenty-five days through
which they have passed has been u terrible
trial, and its scenes and incidents will
never be forgotten. They were delivered
over to General Adams on the 21st inst,
in the camp on tributary OF the Grand
River, after u council lasting five houis. The
council was very heated, and ut one time it was
thought that the Indians would refuse General
Adams demand. On the approach OF General
Adams the captives were hid in the brush a
short distance from the camp. During the
council Susan, sister of Ouray and squaw of
johnson, made speech. strongly advocating
the release of the prisoners, the first instance
OH record of a squaw's appearance in an impor-
tant council. She was followed by johnson,
who quoted Ourays orders and advice. 1t was
not until General Adams threatened to leave
unless the prisoners were released uncondition-
ally that the peace party prevailed
TERRIBLE ORDEAL.
The history OF the prisoners during their cap
tvity forms most pathetic chapter. After the
killing Of Agent Meekcr the women attempted
to escape into the brush from the burning
buildings. Mrs. Meeker was fred at and re-
ceived flesh wound in the hip four inches in
length. The Indians called to Miss Meeker and
Mrs. Price in the following words indians
cbO vvb;f sfn M
hurt p After being secured they were mounted
on ponies Miss Meeker with Mrs. Prices
Oldest child tied behind her, Mrs. Price with
her infant in her arms, and Mrs.. Meeker,
who is sixty-four years of age and lame, were
compelled to accompany their captors When
they struck camp at midnight 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 separated, Douglass taking
charge Of Mrs. Meeker, Persane of Miss Meeker,
and Mrs. Price and children being guarded by
IN Uncomphagre Ute.
FEMALE HERoIsM.
The sutferings of Mrs. Meeker were indiscrib
able during her stay with Douglass, whose
squaw abused her by neglect, and by pushing,
striking and taunting her. On one occasion
Douglass threw down some blankets and COM
PEELED Miss Meeker to dismount, saying that
they were going into camp. He then said that
they were going to stab them and exhibited the
butcher knives to be used for the purpose. Then
he placed musket to her forehead and said
'Indian going to shoot" The courageous girl
never flinchcd and laughed at the burly savage.
He asked her if she was afraid, and her ready
response, IL not afraid of Indians of
DEATH" elected the admiration of the red devils
They turned their derision upon Chief Douglass
and he skunk from her presence.
Soon aftcrward the captives were placed in
charge of Chief johnson, and through the in
strumentality of Johnsons squaw their condi
ton was very much improved and further in
dignities prevented.
SUSAN AS A GUARDIAN SPIRIT.
Apprehensons as to the treatment of the cap
tives to fate worse than death have happily
proved to be unsustained by facts and they ar-
rive here In safety, although worn out by the
indignities detailed above Susan proved to be
their guardian spirit, and had it not been for
her nterccsson the fate of the women would
have formed of the blaclicst pages OF the
history of Indian dcviltry.
Last night on their arrival Ouray expressed
great satisfaction, and this morning on their
departure Chapta, the wife OF Ouray, wcpt like
u child.
LOSSES AT THE AGENCY.
The agency effects were all destroyed, the
women only saving such clothing as they hap
pened to have Oh. Mrs. Meekcr was permitted
to enter the burning building to get her money
and Esprit book" as she told the Indians. 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.
PLUCK AND PoRrITuDE.
Through the fearful ordeal of captivity Mrs.
Price and Miss Mcckcr almost fought for poor
old Mrs. Meekcr They could use little
Spanish and Utc and their defiance of intruding
Indians and their readiness to resent insults to
the old lady challenged the respect Of even the
bloodrhirsty aborgincs. They would push the
savages right and left when interfcred with,
and on making complaint to Susan were always
able to foil them in their brutal attempts. Susan
laid down the law in favorable manner, and
woe unto that warrior who dared to murmur.
The bravery of these ladies has been uncx-
a,nplcd and to this fact may be attributed the
favor which they otherwise could not have re-
ccivcd. The Indian runners, prior to the re-
lease of the captives, reported that the white
squaws were cheap brave" The statements of
the captivcs have been taken in detail by In-
spector Pollock for official use.
ANOTHER STATEMENT OF THE cApTIvEs' EXPERT
ENcEs-THE TRAP INTENDED FOR MERRITT.
Los PINos, Col. Oct "a,
via DEL NoRTE, Col, Oct. %, 1879. (
A party which has just arrived from the
Indian camp on Plateau Creek reports that the
women and children are safe at Chief Ouray's