Dodge City times., 1889-06-06
The WHITE LILY.
A Story of Early Days in
New England.
BY j. ii. SPENCER.

It was in the month of October, 1875,
that the first wagon was seen vending
its devious way among the wooded hills
Of Connecticut. The sons of the forest
were often arrested in pursuit of their
game, TO gaze with wonder at the
strange phenomenon; for there was not
o being among them, within whose
knowledge so strange n vehicle was
ever seen to disturb the repose of their
hunting grounds; nor were they sensi-
ble that this was the day star which
warned them that the time was
near at hand when they must leave the
land of their fathers.
1t was small company of colonists
from Massachusetts. led by the
Rev. Mr.. Hooker, who were
forest. The weary party at length
reached beautiful valley, through
which a large river meandered its
course. Here our party was not long in
selecting camping ground; and pitch
ing their tents on the west side of the
river, they soon commenced building
their log houses. and in few days were
enabled to secure themselves from the
weather, in the first dwellings ever
built in Hartford.
Among the settlers were Cyrus
Holden and his wife. They had no
children but their nephew, Eli Holden,
young man who, through love of ad-
venture, had left his home in England
and sought his relatives in the new
world, made his home with them.
Eli Holden was a remarkably hand
some young man of about twenty-five
standing over six feet in his stockings,
broad-shouldered and muscular, with
curling, golden-brown hair and beard,
keen, blue-gray eyes, and features of
the Grecian type.
One child, bright and beautiful
girl, had been born to Mr.. and Mrs.
Holden: but seven years ago, when she
was 9 years Old, she was stolen from
her home in one of the Massachusetts,
settlements, but by whom it could
never be discovered.
1t was supposed that she had been
stolen by Indians; but although she
was sought for among all the neighbor-
ing tribes, no trace of her could be
found.
The mothers heart never ceased to
yearn for her darling, and for long
time it was feared that her reason would
give way beneath the blow.
Reason survived, however, but the
ceaseless yearning grew no less. Time
could bring no consolation to her.
Hoping that away from the place
which continually reminded his wife of
her loss, she would, in a measure, for
get her sorrow. Cyrus Holden gave up
his thriving farm in Massachusetts, and
went with the colonists to Connecticut
Valley.
The new settlement tnrived; but
the Pequots were one of the most war;
like tribes in New England, and the
settlers were made to feel the calamities
inseperable from Indian warfare.
One beautiful day in the latter part
of May, as Eli Holden was fishing in a
small stream some four miles from the
settlement, he found himself sur
rounded by no less han twenty Pequot
Indians.
Before he could reach his rifle,
which stood against tree near
him, one of the savages knocked
him down, and he was seized before he
could arise.
He drew his knife, but one of the In
dians struck up his arm with force
that sent the weapon flying several feet
away; and moment later the savages
had securely bound his hands with q
stout deerskin thong. He made no re-
sistance, knowing that it would be use
less: but the un subdued flash of his
eyes told that he was far from fright
ened. He was like Gagged panther
The Indians lifted him to his feet and
led him away through the forest. On
arriving al the Pequot fort, the captive
was at once conducted to o wigwam and
tied to stake which was driven deep
into the ground. Here he was contin-
ually watched by two or more Indians,
and supplied at every meal with veni-
son and cold bread.
Upon the tenth night after his cap.
ture, the two Indians who were watch
ing him withdrew from the wigwam,
and he was left alone. They had been
eone but q short time when q young
and beautiful white girl, dressed in the
Indian costume, entered. Her glossy,