The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-01
A MODERN POCAHONTAs.
How an Indian Maiden Saved q
White Mans Life.
She Was Pierced by an Arrow Intended
for Him but Recovered and Ec-
camc Ills Wlfc-Tho Sor-
rows of Her Old Age.

The recent troubles between the ma
tiQnal government and the Sioux In
dams recall to the memory of q CORE
spondcnt of the Youths Companion u
pathetic incident which occurred in that
tribe sixty-tivc or seventy years ngo,
and which she believes has never been
in print. She is not positive Us to dates,
but the events are actual, and can be
vouchcd for. she says, by other persons
now living, some of them children and
grandchildren of the 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
crn Indian tribes. On one of his expo
ditions his headquarters were for sew
eral weeks among the Sioux. During
that time 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,
skillful archer, was to steal up to tho
tcpcc, 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 crcpt quietly to the tcpcc,
but Just as she reached it, and before
She could warn him, she saw the Indian
at the opening of the tent with bow III
ready drawn.
Quick us thought shaS throw herself
hpfpr., I,ni11o,1-,, lrooct onI t1,., o,.,>,x,-
went through one of her arms. The
Indian tlcd leaving the suffering girl to
her fate. Loit!law, surprised and
shocked by the suddcnness and horror Of
the affair, knew not what to do, but the
girls fortitudc and presence of mind did
not forsallc 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 remedies to the
wound.
After the maiden's recovery Laidlnw,
in gratitude for her hcrcism, married
her, and brought her to Clay county,
Mo-, where he died after about twenty
three years.
Mr.. Laidlaw built an elegant house,
with spacious and lovely grounds, and
kept rctinue of servants. Ills place
was visited by sightscers and throngcd
with guests. lie had, think,
eight children, whom he sent to the
best academies for education. The
daughters were fine looking, though
showing in marked degree their In
dian blood. The mother told me that
only the two sons had pretty blue eyes
like their father.
The mansion was provided abundant
| " with comforts and Injuries, 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, n
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 affect;onate
children she seemed to shun companion
ship, and her stately figure, but little
bent with age, coming slowly from the
woods, was Il sight touching in the eX-