The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-11-14

The Women and children from the White
River Agcncy-nlow they Were Treated
by Their Cnptorn.

DENVER. Col, October 2S.-Thc FOL
lowing special has been received by the Den
YER Tribune from Los Pinos Agency, Oct
Is, via Del Norte, Colo, 2s:
We this morning have had the best possi-
bile evidence ~ the success ~ Gen. Adams In
his mission Of procuring the release ~ the
captive women and children who have bccn
In the hands ~ the hostile Indians since the
massacre 81 al the males nc the White River
Agency on the 18th Of September, on the ar
rival IN person Of the recent captiycs, who
were Mrs. Meekcr, Miss Josephine Mcckcr,
Mrs. Price. and two children u Mrs. Price.
They came into the Agency quite early this
morning, and were, OF course, received by
the few white people here, representatives Of
the people II the entire country, with feel
ngs ~ mingled JOY and gratitude. and a sigh
OF relief az being released from the terrible
bondage which had cnslased them, and which
threatened them with the mostterrihle If all
fates-eyen death. Among others who We're
here TO meet and welcome the cap
tiyes was Ralph Meeker, the only
living son OF Agent Mceker, who, n
will be remembered, accompanied Maj.
Pollock on his journey 10 this place with the
intention OF penetrating the reservation with
the Major, had not Gen. Adams taken his
departure before Mai. Pollock. Mr.. Metkcr
and your correspondent arrived. will not
attempt 20 describe a meeting which was 80
full ~ gadness, and, Al the same time, by
necessity. Of Sadness meeting full ~ 10Y
on the part ~ the son and brother. ~ graft
itude aud thanksgiving on the part Of the
mother and sister, and vet fun Of sorrow in
the recollection Of all of the fate 81 the hus-
band and father. | don't think Mrs. Mceker
or her daughter knew OF the good fortune
which awaited them here, az meeting Ralph,
til they reached Ouray's house last night,
where they were told ~ his presence. which,
of course. only increased their Impotence
20 push on 10 the Agency. The ladies' look
carcworn and faiigucd, as they naturally
would after the experience through which
they have passed during the last twenty i've
days, twenty Two ~ which they We're cap
tises among savage Indians. in wild c0un-
try, and apparently cut OF from sue
cor. The ladies express themselves as
most thankful for their carly dcliverance,
which was almost more than they dared 10
hope for.
SAID MRS. MEEKER,
in speaking TO your correspondent: al
hardly knew what IL expect. AT times the Tn
dams almost ignored us, and went forward
with their councils without regarding our
presence al ALL; again they jeercd, and
tainted. and threatened us; at other times
they We're comparatively pleasant. There
was but one who seemed determined 10 pro-
tect rs. This was susan. IOhnSOn's Wife
who has shown herself from the beginning 10
the end ofthe troubles, woman ~ fine feel
inc. and genuinely humane and kind In her
disposition 70 her fellow creatures. can
never forget her or repay her Kindness 10
myself and daughter, and our entire family.
She j. good woman Yes, as TO the threats"
said she, being requested 10 proceed, "wc
hardly expected again 20 see the faces Of our
friends In civilized land; yet we never lost
hope, yet Al times were very respondent i'm
deed We hoped, and vet we feared. AZ all
lrfn fpDI inc fs. sl..
ascendant. and sometimes the other. We
believed We would be held as hostages. and
saw in this hope the prospect Of being
surrendered 20 procure terms for the
Indians when IL should come TO the
settlement 81 terms Of peace; and. too. we
believed our friends would do all in their
power 70 rescue Us as soon n possible But
we feared that the very effort 10 save ~
must be the means OF Fastening our death
We heard Of the approach ~ troops, and we
were fearful that they might push forward
In their zeal 70 ayenge the murders commit
ted by the Indians, and place the Indians in
such close quarters that they would be com
PEELED 70 rid themselves Of US as burden.
They would have killed US before leaving Us
% be rescued by the soldiers Then, we
never knew hut that some conflict with the
soldiers might cause the death 81 several In
dians, In which case we Mere fearful we
would fall victims 10 the Indians love ~ re-
taliation. We were always fearful Ia some
savage ones Of the tribe would Kill n out u
the mere desire for blood, Or The mere sport
Of the thing. In fact, we thought our lives
were subject 20 the merest within ~ the saw
ages. The treatment which my daughter
underwent AT the hands 81 Chief Douglass j.
an illustration ~ what l mean. We owe
every thing 70 susan, az least more than 70
all Others"
This il the tenor Of Mrs. Meeker's Ian.
guage, but do not profess 70 give her exact
word. The entire story 4 the captivity
Is Of interest. They were brought 70 Ouray's
house by Capt Klein. who resides near the
Agency and keeps stage station, and Maj.
Sherman and MIR. saunders, who are con-
necfed with the Agency, and who accom-
panied Gen. Adams on his mission. when
Gen. Adams approached, which was noted
by the Indians, they rushed the captiyes into
a secure place in the brush, where he could
not see or hear them. They were securely
guarded while the conference which was held
was in progress. Their camp was on q tribu-
tary Of the Grand River. Of course the ar
rival Of Gen. Adams was hailed with Joy, but
i've long hours passed before they knew
whether he brought them deliyerancc Or he
would be compelled % 20 away and lea, them
with their horrid captors. The council which
succeeded Gen. Adams's arrival lasted live
hours, and was marked BY great yehemence
on the part 81 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 powwow
susan, the squaw, who il referred "a above,
took a leading part In the controversy, ana
she raised her voice for peace, and ne did
good work. susan, besides being John~on'-
wife, j. q sister of the great chief, Ouray.
whose counsel u still more weighty amung
the Indians She was supposed 10 represent
her brother ~ 4 measure. Her words were
listened ~ with respect, and We're allowed ~
have their full weight. Manufacturing
her enircaiies and tsen. Adam-'- prr~cnia-
ton Of the case, u az one time seemed a. II
Inc Indians would refuse absolutely 10 sur
render their captiycs. They we're deter
mined 70 keep and make the most vf them.
susan was followed BY her husband. John-
son, who also made a speech advocating The