Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-07-02
WILLIAMS ESCAPE.
A WHITE MAN WHO GOT AWAY FROM
THE FIENpISH APAcHES.
His Two Brothers, Who Were Captured
With Him, Burned at the Stake-A
Flight That Included Deeds Which Seem
Only Possible to q Maniac.

OnIy POSSIBLE TO q MANIAC.
Archibald Williams occupies unique
position in the history Of tho southwest
He was once captive In the hands of tho
Apache Indians and is one Of the very few
persons who escaped from captivity. He
! is altogether most singular and interest.
ing character. He is 62 years old He
lives in log cabin perched at the base ot
Cave mountains, in the northwestern por-
ton of Arkansas. II is lonely spot. The
mountains tower above the house, shut
ting out the light Of day. On one side IA
forest Of pine so thick and dense that 10
c&a scarcely be penetrated. On the other
side there Is a wall of solid rock nearly so
feet high. A bride path leads away from
the main road on the mountains down 10
the rustic abode.
Williams was born on farm near
Springfield. Ills. When the war broke out
he entered the Federal army with his two
brothcrs-Thomas and Jonathan. The
trio served until tho close of hostilitios,
and in 1870 drifted westward. They fol
lowed mining and quickly became experts
in that line and were known in all the
mining camps from Colorado to Nevada.
In the spring of 1879, while camped In the
Swectwater country Of Wyoming, two
miners came to their camp, bringing a
quantity Of gold dust and relating won
dcrful story. Eight or ten months before
they had secretly penetrated into the inte-
rior of Arizona and had discovered gold
mine on the Colorado river, near the
mouth of o canyon. where they had re-
mainod for months taking out the dust
The country swarmed with Apache Indi-
ans. There was not single white settle
ment within 200 miles Of the mines. The
two miners worked much OF the time at
night. 10 reach the mines they had walk
cd hundreds Of miles, carrying supplies on
their backs. Although the supply of gold
was still plentiful, the dread of the Indians
caused them to abandon the mines travel
speedily and secretly across country ard
put themselves again in touch with civil
cation. They had been virtually prisoners
for nearly eight months.
In April, 1879, the Williamscs' started
for tho abandoned mines. They travelled
overland hundreds of miles through an
isolated country 1t was a terrible jour
ney but the brothers made it in safety,
and actually succeeded in finding the
mines. The diggings wero located along
the mouth of magnificent canyon, which
opened into Colorado river, and at u spot
where the isolation and sccllsion made all
the surroundings seem strange and weird
like.
Less than three weeks after their arrival
tho three brothers were surprised ono
morning ut daybreak by the Apaches aud
taken prisoners. Tom and Jonathan wero
both fatally wounded. That day Tom was
burned at the stake ut a point 90 miles
north of the scene of the capture. His I'M
fortunate brothers were witnesses of his
execution. 1t was this and subsequent
events that turned Archibald Williams
hair from black to white inside of 4S hours.
Jonathan was burned ON the following
evening at tho Indian village, still farther
north, amid scenes of shocking cruelty.
Tint night Archibald made his escape.
The squaw who had been placed to guard
him while tho population of the village
assisted at tho living cremation of his
brother stole away TO take part in the jol-
LITIGATION, and in her absence he succeeded
in freeing himself from tho thongs which
bound him. Ho crawled for mile, then
ran like q mailman across tho sterile plains,
not knowing where he was going. He had
d long lariat about his waist and a knife
which he had picked up when he cropt out
tho Indians. The poor fellow was nearly
crazy. The awful sconcs no witnessed well
nigh dothroncd his reason. He determined
to kill himself rather than fall into the
hands of the Indians u second timo.
When daylight broke, he found himself
on the top of cliff 30 feet high, with the
river beneath, and with the yclls Of the
pursuing Apiches coming nearer and near-
Or. Frantic with desperation, he perform
cd feat seldom, If ever equalcd in the
record of daring adventures. He fastened
The rope or larat to a tree ut the top Of the
Drccipico, let himself down to projecting
rock 20 feet below, and drawing tho rope
Town again doubled = around the bowlder
md swung himself on. loosening his hold
when he got to tho end and falling sonie
10 or 10 feet 1t was tho deed of maniac
rot he escaped unhurt.s
Once on tho river edge he looked about
Tim like beast st bay, and discovering
everal trees which had boon cut down by
beavers he lashed them together with part
# his rope, forming rude raft. IIe had
lecidcd TO attempt an escape in this way
N any event, death in the Colorado river
vas preferable to falling into the hands of
no Indians.
When his craft was ready, he dashed
himself to it with the remainder Of tho
opc, and without moments hesitation
pushed out into the river. He was just
lrifting into the current when the Indians
appeared on the cliff above. They yelled
ike fends when they saw their prey es-
pping and sent after tho half orazod fugi-
i've volley Of arrows and bullets, mona
# which, however, did him injury
Williams shot down the river with
rightful speed. He was carried over the
apids, making a fall Of 10 or go feet, and
,orne along on the current mile after mile
cnseless and bleeding. He was picked up
ONE 100 miles below the spot where ha
'egan his awful voyage by a squad OF Fed
raj soldiers from Prescott and carried to
hat place, where he lay in the hospital for
more than u year. For a long time 1t was
bought he would lose his reason, II not
life, but he recovered, and afterward bo-
anne noted scout for the Federal army
IN the frontier.
He never spared the life Of an Apache,
hooting every member of the tribe that
anne within range OF MS rifle. He soon
ecame u terror to even shese bloodthirsty
vretches. 1t is claimed that from 1878 to
q eli