Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-04-11

that no consanguinity existed the orphan
returned to her Indian friends. From time
to time the hope of the mother would be
refreshed, and journeys were made to dls-
tant Indian settlements in search ofthe lost
sister, but in vain. The mother was final
ly laid in the grave, and little Frances was
almost forgotten.
The brothers of the child-captive had De-
come aged men, and their grandchildren
were playing upon the very spot from
mer of 1887. fifty-nne years after her cap
ture. intelligence of Frances was received.
Colonel Ewing, an Indian agent and trader,
in letter written at Logansport, Indiana,
to tbe editor of the Lancaster Intettigencer, |
gave such information that all doubts
about her identity were removed. she hao
told Mr.. Ewing that her name was Slocum;
that her father was Quaker, and that she
was taken from near the Susquehanna
River when she was very young. The let
fer came to the knowledge of Joseph Slo-
cum, when he and his sister who carried
him to the fort journeyed to Ohio, where
they were Joined by their younger brother,
Isaac. They proceeded to Logansport,
where they saw Mr.. Ewing and ascertained
that the woman he had written about lived
twelve miles from the village. She was
Immediately sent for, and toward evening |
the next day she came into the town, riding |
a spirited young horse, accompanied by her
two daughters dressed in full Indian cos
tune. and the husband of one of them. An
interpreter was procured (for she could
not speak word of English), and she list
ened seriously to what her brothers had to
saw. She answered but little, and at sun
set departed for her home, promising to
return the next morning. The brothers
and sister were quite sure it was Frances,
though in her face nothing but Indian line
aments we're seen, her color alone revealing
her origin.
ssTrue to her appointment" said Mr..
Slocum, ssshe appeared the next morning,
accompanied as before. | mentioned a
mark of recognition which my mother mad
said would be sure test. One day, while
playing with a hammer in blacksmith
shop when I was about two and half
years old, gave Frances blow upon the
middle finger of her left hand which crush
ed the bone and deprived the finger OF its
nail. This test / withheld until others
should fail. When mentioned it the good
woman was greatly agitated, ana wnle
tears filled the furrcws OF her aged race
she held out the disfgured finger, but said
nothing. There was no longer any doubt
that we had found our lost sister, and
scene of deem interest epsued. Her affec-
ton for her kindred which had slumbered
more than halt century were aroused,
and she made earnest inquiries after her
father. mother, brothers and sisters. She
opened her full heart to us and gave US
history of her life.
"eThe Indians when they took me from
the house. she said, went to rocky cave
in the mountains. They were Delawares.
The next morning they departed for the
Indian country. That first night was the
unhappiest of my life; but l was kindly
treated and was carried tenderly in their
arms when 1 was weary. l was adopted In
an Indian family and brought up as their
daughter. l soon almost forgot my mother.
For years 1 lived a rowing life, and liked it.
| was taught the use of the bow and arrow,
and became expert as hunter and in all
out-of-door exercises. When l was grown
to womanhood both of my Indian parents
died and l soon afterward married young
chief of the nation and removed to the Ohio
country. l was treated with more respect
than even the Indian women generally. l
was taught to ride on horseback and was
REQUIRED to cultivate the soil or bear bur-
dens. | always remembered my carrying
off: and so happy was in my domestic re-
| lations that the chance of being discovered
and compelled to return among the white
people was the greatest evil that feared.
| For had been taught that they were the
| implacable enemies of the Indians, whom
loved. My husband died, and my people
having Joined the Miamis, | went with
them, and married one of that triba. l
have children and grandchildren, and am
very happy
| siWhen she had concluded her narrative,
she lifted her right hand in solemn man
ner and said:
"And this is as true as that there is
Great Spirit in the heavensV"
Her second husband had been dead many
years. She was entirely ignorant of her
native language. She had received the
name of Macon aqua or ga Young Bear"
and was pagan endued with a Christian
spirit
On the day after the second interview, the
brother and sister, with the interpreter, rode
out to the home of the found captive. Her
dwelling was well-built log house in the
midst of cultivation. A large herd OF cattle
and sixty horses were grazing in the pas
lures Everything betokened plenty and
comfort, for she was wealthy when her
wants and her means were compared. Her
annuity from the Government, which she
received as one of the Miami tribe, had been
saved, and she had about one thousand dol
lars in specie. Her white friends tarried
with her several days, and not long after
their return home, Joseph and his daugh-
ter, the wife of the Hon. Ziba Bennett of
Wyoming, again visited her and babe her
the last farewell On that occasion she
was induced to sit for her portrait to an
artist named Winter, residing at Logans-
port, whom met at Lafayette, Indiana, in
1860 1t was a halflength life size. at the
time of my visit it was hanging IN MIR.
Slocum's parlor, and l was permitted to
make a pencil copy Of it. The costume
was very simple-an under dress OF scarlet
and mantle of black cloth, with large
flowing sleeve on one side.
Frances Slocum-Na-c con a Qud-the
Child Captive of the Wyoming Valley, died
in 1874, and was buried with considerable
pomp, for she was regarded as a queen
among her tribe When the Miams were
removed from Indiana, the ''lost sister
and her Indian relatives were exempted.
The affecting story Of her life was laid be-
fore Congress, and so eloquently did John
Quincy Adams plead her cause that he drew
tears from the eyes of many members.
Congress gave her a tract Of land mile
square, to be held in perpetuity by her de-
scendants, and there her children and grand
children were living at the time OF my Visit
in the Valley of Wyoming.
BENSON j. LOSING, LII. ID.
Col j. B. Peyton, late clerk of the house
of delegates of West Va. has been elected