Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-04-17

eOiuleF5 approaching, anu Will
cry ofjoy ran toward them with
outstretched arms.
But the Indians were closer
still, and they spurred their horses
forward on full run. Mary ran
with might and main, and the
soldiers hesitaIed ut sight of the
redskins.
A minute later they shot The
little fugitive dead. and with her
golden-haired scalp fiut,ering from
the girdle of one they cantered
back to the war-party.
Mrs. Kelly did not learn this I'M
ill many weeks afterward. but she
enjoyed the faint pleasure Of be-
lieving the little one had effected
her escape.
The situation of the lady herself
was frightful. TO the last degree.
She could not tell whether her
husband was alive, nor did she
know what was to become of her
self
Her mental tortures would have
overturned her reason but for her
terrible bodily sufferings. A long
stretch of arid desert interviewed
between the Laramie trail and the
destination of the Sioux, and the
ride over this was SO severe that
the lady more than once felt she
must succumb and die.
She was compelled to ride one
horse and lead another, and the
latter was an ugly brute, which
continually jerked his head back
ward with such violence as to
draw her to the ground, whea she
was beaten for falling.
Her distress from thirst was SO
great that her mind occasionally
wandered, and she seemed pro-
portionately dull in comprehend
ing the commands of her captors,
thus insuring harsher treatment
than ever.
The Sioux, however, subjected
her to no greater indignities than
that of blows.
Once, when thoroughly worn
out and despairing, she flung
away a valua BILE pipe of the chief,
which she was given to carry.
This so enraged him that the COM
pany was halted, she was tied to
tree, and wood piled around her,
with the intention of burning her
to death.
But the plan was changed, and
it was agreed that she should be
tied to horse, like Mazeppa, shot
to death with arrows, and then
left upon the back of the steed,
At this juncture, the captive drew
a roll of greenbacks from her bo-
som and offered all to them if they
would spare her life. They weren't
sensible enough to appreciate this
beautiful currency, but they be-
came interested in the fine en-
craving, and asked her to explain
it. I.s
She made this explanation so
pleasing that they forgot all about
the dreadful death provided for
her,
I She sang, and instructed them,
and soon the Sioux came to treat
her with great Difference and res
pect. Many an entire evening
was spent by her in talking to
them of religion and in singing,
while they sat around her, appar-
emily enthfalled with her words
and performances.
a stalwart warrior known as
Jumping Bear finally fell head
over-ears in love with the hand
some white captive, and began
playing the simpleton around her.
When he came 10 the point,
Mrs. Kelly kindly explained to
him that her religion permitted
but one husband and one wife,and
as she was already married, she
could not offend the Great Spirit
by marrying him.
Jumping Bear comprehended
the situation, heaved a prodigious
sigh, and couldn't see any way to
help himself.
1t should be stated at this point,
that on the night of the massacre
of this little emigrant party, on
the Laramie Trail, Mr.. Kelly es-
capped the fate that overlook most
of his companions. He was short
distance from camp, on his horse,
and was thus warned in time.
Learning that his wife and
niece were carried off, the husband
did everything in his power for
their recovery. He organized pri-
waite rescuing parties, and the
army gave assistance. He fire.
quently paid different Indians
hundreds of dollars under a pledge
that they would bring Mrs. Kelly
back, but they were never seen
again.
He continued his efforts in every
possible way that could suggest
itself, and yet never 80 much as