Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-27
MORE THRILLING THAN FICTION


MORE THRILLING THAN FICTION.
An Indian Story From Real Life Told In
Committee Report.
Hidden away in the numerous committee
rooms in the great Capitol building are tons Of
documents Of all descriptions representing the
hopes and fears Of thousands of claimants for
esen-handed justice or public bounty. Many
OF the claims are meritorious, but they slum-
Der just as soundly as the leas, excusable or
most dishonest demand ever made on the pub
lie purse. One Of the most interesting of these
petitions has just been reported from the
House committee on pensions with Q recon-
mendation that the bill covering the case be-
come a law. As a rule congressional commit
tees are not given to sentiment. but this
especial subdivision says that no case has been
considered by it which appeals more strongly
to the sense of justice than this one. The
story as told by Representative De Lano In the
report is a most thrilling one.
Christina Geisel, now Christina Edison, emf
grated in the early years from the Atlantic
states to the shores of the Pacific, and with her
husband John Geisel, and their little family
they settled upon the shores Of the Pacific
ocean, near the mouth of the Rogue river, in
Oregon. Their house was upon the then trav-
eled trail leading from the coast of California
into Oregon. They were comfortably fixed
when they settled there at that time. John
Geisel mined the fine gold dust on the ocean
beach, and this, together with his stock upon
the prairies and what was received by his fam
lily from the passing travellers for lodgings,
constituted their means of livelihood. A
friendly Indian was employed about the prem
Uses in occasional services. The village of the
Indian tribe of the ''TOo-toot-nas'' was 8 miles
distant up the Rogue river. Very little appre-
hension existed among the settlers as to any
hostile intent on the part Of the Indians.
Ben Wright, the Indian agent in the vicinity
and known in the Pacific states as a daring In
dian fighter, gave positive assurances that no
danger existed.
SURPRISED IN THEIR HOME.
On the night of February %, 1856, the set
tiers for some miles around attended a ball at
Rogue river in observance of Washington's
birthday. The Indians, expecting to find the
country comparatively defenseless, owing to
the assemblage at the ball, concluded upon a
general massacre of the whites who remained
at home. Owing to the illness of one OF the
children nohe Of the Geisel family attended the
ball
About midnight Mr.. Geisel was awakened by
rap upon the door and by hearing their In
dian servant saying that he desired to obtain
something TO eat Upon this the door was
opened, and Immediately several stalwart In
dams rushed in and commenced their attack,
with long drawn knives and tomahawks, upon
MIR. Geisel
Mrs. Geisel leaving her three-week-old in
fant In bed and though quite feeble, rushed
TO her husbands rescue. In the conflict she
received a severe wound. Her husband was
soon overcome and fell dead in her presence.
She was securely bound and with her infant
and seven-year-old daughter, was forced
without. There she witnessed her three bows
taken from their little beds in an adjoining
room and while piteously begging for life they
were, one by one, slaughtered in her presence.
After rifng the house of all such articles as
they desired they applied the torch to il and
compelled their captives to witness its destruc-
ton, with the burning of the bodies of the
slain. Mrs. Geisel. barefooted and clad in ner
thin gown and with her two children was
then marched to the camp of the Too-toot-nas,
and while en- route witnessed the burning of
many houses and the massacre of her
neighbors. Great indignities were inflicted
upon the captiyes by the Indians in the village
OF the hostiles. They were kept prisoners
under strict watch for two weeks, when thev
were exchanged or ransomed by the white peo-
pie who were forted at the mouth of the Rogue
river.
HOW PORT OXFORD WAS SAVED.
During her captivity Mrs. Geisel took careful
notes and sketches OF what she observed. She
discovered that several allied tribes were con-
structlng very strong Notifications, from which
they proposed making raids upon all the sur
rounding country in California and Oregon
and thus complete the destruction already be-
gun. Mrs. Geisel discovered concealed ap-
proach through the mountain gorges into this
fortihcation and village by which, il it could be
assailed in that direction by sufficient force,
defense would be without avail. She also
learned from conversations among the Indians
In their own language. which she interpreted,
that great preparations were in progress for a
raid on the people of the town OF Port Oxford
80 miles distant, where they expressed great
coincidence OF discriminating the men and
children and making captives OF the women.
The time was fixed for their departure and
surprise. This information she disclosed to
the settlers in the fort Immediately upon her
ransom and they sent forward to Port Oxford a
switt-traveling messenger to inform the people
OF their approaching danger. Port Oxford was
at once placed III condition of defense, and
when the Indians appeared before it they were
repulsed and returned to their camp on Rogue
river.
TURNING THE TABLES.
Soldiers and volunteers were soon on the
ground, and availing themselves of the
information communicated by Mrs. Geisel they
made a sudden assault upon the Indian fortifi-
cations by way of the approaches discovered
by the captive woman and after closely con-
tested battle they completely routed and killed
many OF the Indian warriors. This defeat SO
dispirited them that they never rallied again
and were afterward the most peaceable Indians
on the Pacific coast. The Rogue River war;
which extended over large portion OF southern
Oregon, was substantially ended at this place.
1t Is part OF the written history of the Pacific
coast states and territories. The testimony of
the present judge Of the county, who escaped
the massacre, and who was in the fort at the
time and one of those who assisted in the
ransom Of the captives, and also the testimony
OF the commander Of the volunteers who dis
lodged the Indians from their stronghold, as
we'll as the sworn narrative Of Mrs. Geisel her
sell, is all before u.s."