Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-12
HOW 4 WILD HIVES.
A Story of a Long Lost Child Eecoy-
cred from the Nez Perces.

| cTeu from the NcZ fefceSs
A correspondent of the Omaha World,
from Washington, Idaho Nov. IA, says;
The local papers published an account
two months ago Of the discovery OF wild
girl in the mountains 40 miles from this
| place. A correspondent Of the San Fran
| CISCO Chronicle visited the scene, and
| from personal observation furnished that
| journal with full description OF the
! cavern home and surroundings. AS re-
suit OF the publication one OF the greatest
| mysteries of the far West has been solved.
| Mr.. q. n. Holbrook, of Denver, Col, read
| the reports aud recognized the wild girl
as his own daughter. After being
mourned as dead for nine years she comes
| iorth as from the grave and is restored to
| Der father. A hunter whilewandering in
| the depths of the Salmon river mountains,
lar from the habitations OF man, saw be-
! fore him fair girl, unclothed except by
! Heecy wealth of golden hair. She stood
| waist deep IN the water of "a little lake.
| she looked With a nervous stare that be-
trayed wild nature. She sprang from
The water and disappeared in cavern.
The hunter fastened to the camp. 1t was
dark when he found his comrades, who
were old hunters, and the story of the lone
girl was related. The three hunt
ers visited the lake next morning.
The same fair creature was standing at
the foot of the Cliff, behind the water. She
was clothed in the skins Of wild animals:
her hair was blown by the light breeze in
fluffy ringlets about her shoulders She
was startled, looked for a moment and
fed. The explorers did not trespass upon
the strange lady's sacred precincts.
When they returned TO the valley the story
was widely circulated, and the news
paper correspondent, accompanied by
some cowboys. decided to trace the Iumor
to the fountain head. They found a
beautiful, unlrodden valley, OF an area of
100 acres, around two sides OF what is
known to the surveyors maps as Moose
Lake. Few white men have ever passed
through the dense forests aud rugged
depths 10 look down into the sheltered
dell. No signs of life were apparent. On
the border OF The lake the entrance to the
cave could be seen. but only the black
side and arches marked the home of the
object OF the search. The investigators
passed up the uneven, worn stone steps to
the door of the cave. They halloOed, and
an echo answered as from well. A stir
in the passage followed, and a frightful
Visage was seen. With tangled strings of
gray hair dangling about his shoulders, a
feeble Indian tottered forward. His at
titude was that of defiance as he placed
himself ia the door of his dungeon, but the
witBered arm aud palsled form were
years ago.
He was pushed aside, then reckless men
rushed forward, guided by torch,
through a winding tunnel into great
cave, with many angular recesses and un-
even roof and walls. Corner and columns
divided the vast Interior into apartments.
One OF these diyisiOns was the wild girls
boudoir. Seated on a robe in cOnvulsiOns
OF fright was a welldeveloped maiden OF
y years. Toe torch daZzled her sight. She
turned her face from the Intruders, and
bowed her head and s0bbed piteOusly.
They did not approach Eer, but turned
away and passed from her presence, filled
VITA sorrow and moved with sympathy,
which her Intense emotions seemed to
communicate to even these thoughtess
young men OF the plains. The withered
old guardian was found to be dumb. W hen
addressed in the NeZ Perces Indian Iangu-
age he could understand. but replied only
with Signs. These facts were published
when the party returned TO civilization,
and Mr.. HOlDr0ok IN Colorado read them.
Several weeks after the discovery he
Travelled with all possible speed to the
salmon river valley, his former home, and
soon organized party TO assist in the res
cue, including two OF the company that
had made the exploration on The pTevi-
GUS occasion. The faithful Indian was
guarding his door. He offered no resist
ance at the entrance, but trotted on be.
tore as the invaders passed the narrow
door and led the way to where the girl
sat. She was wrapped in furs to keep
warm. The anxious father rushed for
ward to clasp his daughter to his bosom.
but that Old relic OF a noble race placed
his warped frame between father and
child. Like a man'Of straw the indian
was pushed away. No word OF meaning,
but q wall of anguish burst from his lips.
The girl sprang to her feet, and the father
was hurled back as II ne had tried TO en-
brace tigress. The Indian was address
sed in his native tongue by one of the
cowboys and given signs. After some de-
lay be understood the situation. he COM
municated to the frightened child by
signs and grunts, and she settled down
on the robe and .stared with Wild eyes at
those around her. After long one-sided
conversation the old cave Gweller ex-
pressed his consent that his ward should
go with her father. she could speak no
language, but was quoted by a panto-
mine on the part of her protector.
Mr.. llol5roDk, BY great deal OF per-
suasion and some force. succeeded in get
ting his daughter to the house of a friend.
The Old Indian accompanied the party,
ard Is aiding in the WORK Of tanning the
"Wlld GIRL" and teaching her to talk be-
fore starting across the continent and
separating her from the only human who
can communicate with her.
In 1877 H0lbr0ok was engaged in the
stock business ON the Salmon river. The
first raid ofJoseph's warriors was IN that
country. Mrs. HOlbrook and 3-year-
old child were taken prisoners. Mrs.
HOlbrook was released after fearful tor
ture, but never recovered from the in
jurles and nervous shock. The little Elrl
was supposed to have been murdered. 1t
now trauSpres that she was rescued by
the old dumb Indian and carried to his
lonely home, where she lived nine years
without bearing human voice or seeing
human being except the deformed and
feeble old man. This old Indian was
once member OF the NeZ Perces tribe,
but as be was decided to be a sorcerer or
a witch he was condemned to have his
tongue cut out and be banlshed. For
years he has lived In that gloomy cave.
lie has made visits to the settlement and
traded furs with the whites for powder
and lead. Fish, game, roots and berries
have been the only iGod, aud the skins OF
wild animals the only clothing, in all
these years of loneliness.
In the process Of drying grass into hay,
most az tbp VOlnttlp piIa which ptVn yrnar