Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-01-09


The troubles between the National Gov.
arnment and the 81, TX In lians recall to
the memory of correspondent a pathetic
incident which occurred in that tribe 60
or 70 years ago, and which she believes
has never been in print. She is not posi-
tive as to dates, but the events are actual,
and can be vouched 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 Northwestern In
dian tribes. On one of his expeditions
his headquarters were for severa 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 determined to take his life.
One man, 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 saw the Indian at the
opening of the tent with bow already
drawn.
Quick as thought she threw herself be.
fore Laidlaw's breast, and the arrow
went through one of her arms. The
Indian fled, leaving the suffering girl to
her fate. Laidlaw, surprised and shocked
by the suddenness and horror of the af-
fair. 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 ap-
piled 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 she died about 90 years ago.
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, 1 think, eight
children. whom he sent to the best acad-
emies for education. The daughters
were fine looking, though showing III
marked degree their Indian blood. The
mother told me that only the two sons
bad pretty blue eyes like their father.
The mansion was provided abundantly
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,
kind neighbor of mine. I often visited
her, aud she talked Of her husband, her
parents, and her tribe with so much feel
ing that was often moved to tears. She
told me that after she had been married
16 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 vas
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 her old friends and kin.
dred.
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 a sight touching in the ex.
treme.