The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-08-20
THE OSAGE CAPTTYE.


Many years ago Charles Hamilton set
tied in the northeastern part of Missouri
Territory, at a point considerably in ad-
vance Of the line Of settlement and from
tier posts. He was widower, with but
one child, a bright-eyed daughter, about
dozen years Of age, who frequently
visited the nearest settlement, where she
soon became well known aud equally
well loved by the settlers.
During these early days this portion
Of Missouri became thlckly infested with
horse-thieves. The headquarters Of
band were somewhere in the neighbor-
hood, although the most diligent search
failed to trace the criminals to their
hiding place.
It was long time before they gained
any clew as to the identity of the mis-
creants; but one night, when one of the
old settlers was returning to his home
late, he was set upon by party Of a
dozen men, and deprived of the young
mare that he was driving. The old
gentleman had been hunter in his
young days, and kept his eyes and ears
open. The result was the discovery
that the band Of horse thieves was moth
ing less than party Of Usage Indians,
whose main village was about fifty miles
to the northwest.
A few days later an Usage warrior
named Kowah was captured, as he was
hunting IN the woods near the settle
ment. He was Instantly seized, dis
armed and marched to the village, where
acouncll was at once called to determine
what should be done with him.
Inc community were in such a state of
evaporation that they were ready to do
anything except to listen to reason.
many were in favor Of shooting him. for
they considered it unquestionable that
lne color Of his skin decided his guilt
Uue the more conservative advocated
giving him severe whipping.
1oung Marian Hamilton was in the
settlement, and when the young warrior
was publicly cowhided in the village
'ne stood by pleading that the cruel
punishment might be stopped. The In
uSn turned his dark eyes upon her with
curious look, but never uttered a
word. He stood the punishment With
Ae stoicism peculiar to his race. ana
wnen they had finished he took his gun
suu walked as unconcernedly away as if
~ was Iust starting upon some hunting
expedition.
Neachlhg the edge Of the settlement.
- wheeled with the quickness of light
Ing and shot dead the man who had
iiC1ed the degrading punishment.
AZ soon as the first shock was over a
naii dozen started in pursuit; but none
oSualed him in fieetness Of foot. and he
'psedly disappeared in the woods.
shortly after this unfortunate occur
49, Is.'e another discovery was made. The
s"ss sse-taleyes were not Osages. The old
!. 'ef had naturally fallen into the er-
~, !, nom the fact that the men who
"as ,SUDed him were disguised as Indians,
N liz 'ne only one who spoke word at
hs, Vas a half-breed named Wentz, who
~. Nused to party of outlaws that had
~. Ssf headquarters somewhere in the re-
M M Of vast swamp a score of miles
~ Du' u was too late to remedy the
H.. = inflicted by the whites. An In
n,- - i'eser forgets nor forgiyes an iu-
W. NJ, ana war lit up the whole frontier.
bi.t,,l abandoned all to take refuge in
s.,ni, ai settled parts but, in spite Of the
lsin.ns lss Of his friends, Marian's father
a., u 70 change his abode, affirming |
h.s y ne had not injured the redskins.
!. would not iniure him. Terribly