The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-07-04
ANorAER pooAAoNrAs.
The Romantic story Of nm Indian wO
mans Life.


The Romantic story OF nm Indian wo-
mans Life.
The recent troubles between the ma
tional government and the Sioux Indi.
ans recall to the memory of a cores
pondent q pathetic incident which oc-
Cured in that tribe sixty-fve or seventy
years ago, and which she believes has
never been in print. She is not posi-
tive as to dates, but the events are act
ual, and can be vouched for, she says,
by other persons now living, some of
them children and grandchildren of tho
heroine of the story.
About the date have given, Scotch
man named Laidlaw, belonging to one
Of the great American fur companies,
traded extensively with the Northwest
ern Indian tribes On one of his expe-
ditions his headquarters were for sew
eral weeks among the Sioux. During
that time q few men of the tribe, for
some fancied injury, or in consequence
of some actual disagreement, became
mortally offended with him and deter
mined to take his life. One man, a
slxillful archer, was to steal up TO the
tepee, and while Laidlaw was busy
with his accounts, send an arrow into
his heart.
An Indian maiden overheard the men
discussing their diabolical scheme, and
determined to save the Scotchman's
life She crept quietly to the tepee, but
just as she reached it, and before she
could warn him, she saw the Indian at
the opening of the tent with bow al
ready drawn.
Quick as thought she threw herself
before Laidlaw's breast and the arrow
went through one of her arms. The
Indian fed, leaving the suffering girl
to her fate. Laidlaw, surprised and
shocked by the suddenness and horror
of the affair, knew not what to do, but
the girls fortitude and presence of mind
did not forsake her.
She told him to assist her in removing
the arrow, which he did by cutting the
stem in two, and gently pulling it out.
They then sought her parents, who
applied their crude remedy to the
wound.
After the maiden's recovery, Laidlaw,
in gratitude for her heroism, married
her and brought her to Clay county,
Missouri, where she died about twenty
three years ago.
Mr.. Laidlaw built an elegant house,
with spacious and lovely grounds, and
kept retinue of servants. His place
was visited by sight-seers and thronged
with guests. He had, think, eight chill
dren, whom he sent to the best acade-
mics for education. The daughters were
fne-looking, though showing in a
marked degree their Indian blood. The
mother told me that only the two sons
had pretty blue eyes like their father.
The mansion was provided abund-
antly with comforts and luxuries, but
while the children enjoyed them to the
full, Mrs. Laidlaw seemed to prefer
solitude and simple food and clothes.
For many years of her widowed life
she lived with one of her daughters, a
kind neighbor of mine. I often visited
her, and she talked of her husband, her
parents and her tribe with SO much
feeling that was often moved to tears.
She told me that after she had been
married sixteen years Sioux chief,
passing through Missouri, heard of her
and came to see her, but she could not
talk to him, for she had forgotten her
native language.
She said it broke her heart. There
was so much she wanted to ask him
about her people, whom she still loved
so dearly, and so many messages she
would have liked to send to old friends
and kindred.
In her last days, even when partially
blind, she wandered every day through
the woods, detected and alone. Though
she had kind friends and affectionate
children she seemed to shun companion
ship, and her stately figure, but little
bent with age, coming slowly through
the woods, was sight touching in tho
extreme. Youths Companion.