The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1891-11-09
MODERN ~POCAHONTAS.
How an Indian Maiden Saved a
White Mans Life.
She Was Pierced by an Arrow Intended
for Him but Recovered and Be-
came His Wife-The Sor-
rows of Her Old Age.

rows of. Her Old Age.
The recent troubles between the ma
tional government and the Sioux In
dams recall to the memory of a CORE
spondent of the Youths Companion a
pathetic incident which occurred in that
tribe s~iXty-fve or seventy years ago,
and which she believes has eve been
in print. She is not positive as to dates.
but the events are actual, and can be
youched for, she says, by other persons
now living, some of them children and
grandchildren of the heroine of the
story.
About the date 1 have given a Scotch
man named Laidlaw, belonging to one
of the great American fur companies,
traded extensively with the northwest
ern Indian tribes. On mi of his eXpe-
ditions his headquarters were for sew
eral weeks among the Sioux. During
that time a 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
skillful 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 say 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 s%uddenness and horror of
the affair, knew not what to do, but the
girls fortitude and presence of mind did
not forsalSc 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 Laidlaw,
in gratitude for her heroism, married
her, and brought her to Clay county,
No, where he died after about twenty
three years.
Mr.. Laidlaw built an elegant house,
with spacious and lovely grounds, and
kept a rctinue of servants. His place
was visited by sightseers and thronged
with guests. He had, L think,
eight children, whom he sent to the
best academies for education. The
daughters were fine looking, though
showing in a 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 luxuries, but
while the children enjoyed them to the
full Mrs. Laidlaw seemed &c prefer
and simple food and clothes.
For many years of her widowed life
she lived with one of her daughters, a
kind neighbor of mine. / often visited
her, and she talked of her husband, her
and her tribe with so much
that 1 was often moved to tears.
She told me that after she had been
married sixteen years a Sioux chief
through Missouri heard of her ,
md came to see her, but she could not l
ak to him, for she had forgotten her
native language.
She said it broke her heart. There
vas so much she wanted to ask him =
bout her people, whom she still loved /
dearly, and so many messages she
would have liked to send to old friends
md kindred.
In her last days, even when partially =
she wandered every day through /
he woods, detected and alone. Though
he had kind friends and affcctionate
hildren she seemed to shun companion
hip, and her stately figure, but little C.
Dent with age, coming slowly from the
woods, was a sight touching in the ex-