The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-04-12
PLUCKY MRS. GEISE1.
A Thrilling Story Told in an Official
Document.
The Struggles of Settlers in tho Ear;y Days
on the Pacific Const-How n Woman
of Nerve Ended tho Eogue
River Uprising.

Hidden away in tho numerous COM
mittee rooms in tho great capitol build
ing arc tons of documents of all descrip-
tions representing tho hopes and fears
| of thousands of claimants for even
handed Justice or public bounty. One
of the most interesting of these petit
tions has just been reported from the
House committee on pensions with O
recommendation that the bill covering
tho case become n law. Tho story, as
told by Representative Do Lano in the
report Is u most thrilling one, says tho
Washington Star.
Christina Geisel, now Christina Edison,
emigrated in tho early years from the
Atlantic States to tho shores of the Pa
cific, and with,hcr husband, John Geisel,
and their little family settled upon the
shore of the Pacific Ocean near the
mouth of the Rogue river, in Oregon.
Their house was upon the then travelled
trail leading from the coast of Califor-
MIA into Oregon. They were comforta-
bly, fixed when they settled there at that
time. John Geisel mined tho fine gold
dust on tho ocean beach, and this, to-
gether with his stock upon the prairies
and what was received by his family
from the passing travellers for lodgings,
constituted their means of livelihood.
A friendly Indian was employed about
the premises in occasional services. Tho
village of the Indian tribe Of the TOO
toot-nas" was eight miles distant up tho
Rogue river. Very little apprehension
existed among tho settlers as to any
hnSti1n N ny, fhn ri nf tho IN
dians. Bon Wright, tho Indian agent in
the vicinity, and known in the Pacific
States as daring Indian fighter, gave
positive assurances that no danger ex-
listed.
On the night of February %, 1856, the
settlers for some miles around attended
ball at Rogue river, in observance Of
Washington's birthday. The Indians,
expecting to find the country compare
lively defcnseless, owing to the assem-
blage at the ball. concluded upon a gen.
cral ma ,sacre of the whites who re-
mained at home. Owing to the illness
of one of the children, none of the Geisel
family attended the ball.
About midnight Mr.. Geisel was awak-
ened by rap upon the door and by hear
Ing their Indian servant saying that he
desired to obtain something to eat.
Upon this the door was opened, and i'm
several stalwart Indians
rushed in and commenced their attack,
with long drawn knives and tomahawks,
upon Mr.. Geisel. Mrs. Geisel left her
three weeks old infant in bed, and,
though quite feeble, rushed to her hus-
bands rescue. In the conflict she re-
,eived severe wound. Her husband |
vas soon overcome, and fell dead in her
presence. She was securely bound and,
with her infant and seven-year-old
laughter, was forced without. There |
,he witnessed her three boys taken from |
heir little beds in an adjoining room,
md, while piteously begging for life,
hey were, one by one, slaughtered in
Ter presence.
After riflinS the house of all such arti-
lies as they desired they applied the |
orch to it and compelled their captives |
20 witness its destruction, with the burn |
ng of the bodies of tho slain. Mrs. |
ieisel, barefooted and clad in her thin
yown, and with her two children, was
men marched to the camp of the Too
he burning of many houses and the
massacre of her neighbors. Great in
lignities were inflicted upon the cap
ives by tho Indians in the village of
he hostiles. They were kept prisoners
lnder strict watch for two weeks, when
hey were exchanged or ransomed by
he white people who were forted at the
mouth of the Rogue river.
During her captivity Mrs. Geisel took
arcful notes and sketches of what she
She discovered that several
.llied tribes were constructing very
trong Notifications from which they
making raids upon all the
country in California and
oregon and thus complete the de-
'truction already begun. Mrs. Geisel
discovered concealed approach through
he mountain gorges into this fortifica-
ion and village by which, If it could be
Issailed in that direction by sufficient
orCe, defense would be without avail.
She also learned from conversations
lmong Indians in their own language,
which she interpreted, that great prep
Irations were in progress for a raid on
|
hirty miles distant, where they ex-
,ressed great confidence of eXterminat-
ng the men and children and making
aptives OF the women. The time was
Ixed for their departure and surprise.
This information she disclosed to tho
ettlers in the fort Immediately upon
er ransom and they sent forward to
'ort Orford swift-travoling messen-
er to inform tho people of their ap-
danger. Port Oxford was at
nee placed In condition of defense,
nd when the Indians appeared before
t they were repulsed and returned to
heir camp on Rogue river.
Soldiers and volunteers were soon on
ne ground, and, availing themselves of
he information communicated by Mrs.
ieisel, they made sudden assault upon
he Indian Notifications by way OF the
approaches discovered by the captive
and after closely-contested
attle they completely routed and
,illed many of the Indian warriors
This defeat so dispiritod them that they
lever rallied again, and were afterward
he most peaceable Indians on the Pa
ific coast. The Rogue river war,
Which extended over large portion Of
southern Oregon. was substantially
nded at this place.
Relics of Queer Duel.
In the Medical Museum, Washington,
here are two skulls all cracked up like a
- oo,,, uha11a tbat ba1 haan