Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1895-07-11

paint pushed in, with their tOmahGwkS
upliftcd. G2isel was thrown back by the
suddenncs' Of the onslaught, and had no
time to defend himself before the foremost
Indian aimed blow at his head with a
tomnhawk. 1t grazed his temple. His cry
aroused Mrs Gciscl, who sprang out Of
bed with the baby in her arms and rushed
to the assistance Of her husband. As the
second blow Of the murder0uS weapon de
scendcd upon the head of its victim Gciscl
fell back into his wlfc's arms, and the
blow which killed tho father cut off the
little finger Of one of the baby'S bands.
Mrs. Gcisel was tied hand and foot
Then tho red devils went into the sleeping
rooms and brought out the boys one by
one, and while the little fellows were rub
bling their sleepy eyes and trying to realize
what it was all about thc Indians butch
cred them over the body of their father and
before the eyes of their distracted mother
The maraudcrs looted the store carried off
everything they could lug, including n bag
Of gold dust containing s. 600, and set fire
to the buildings. Then they escaped to tho
mountains a distance of about seven miles,
carrying with them Mrs Gciscl and the
baby. The poor woman begged to be
killed, but was reserved as a captive the
property of the chief of the tribe. She was
clad only in her nightdrcsS without shoes
or stockings On her feet, and in this plight
was compelled to walk over the rough roads
and paths to the mountain rccesscs.
THE flames in the sky informed all of
us ut the fort that the Indians had arisen,
and messengers were at once dispatched 10
san Francisco for troops. Although it was
decided a handful Of settlers could not at
tack the Indian stronghold with any hope
of success, there was II general opinion that
some effort must be made to rescue Mrs.
GciSel from her fate. What we could not
do by strength of arms we hoped TO do by
strategy, and fortune favored us in this.
The next day one of our scouting parties
captured an Indian woman. who turned
out to be the wife Of a chief, and at once
the suggestion was made that she mi ht
be exchanged for Mrs GeiSel. \ council
Of war was held, and soon the question
was asked, who will make the attempt 10
effect an exchange of prisoners Old man
Brown, a veteran scout, with his rugged,
bronzcd features, his buckskin suit his
rough spccch-may God bless him was
the first TO speak.
I'm do it, he said simply.
But the Indians are likely 10 prove
trcacherous and to kill you, said the chair
man of the council.
" 1t don't much matter if they do re
piled the old scout I'm not afraid Of 'em.
I'll take the Indian woman along and Il
exchange her for Mrs. Geiscl and the bah
by.
''ln "A short tmo Brown started on his
errand. The Indian woman was with him.
We watched him as long rs we could see
him. Finally he approached the Indian
position and displayed white flag. The
Indians knew well enough what that
meant, ana they sent a chief ont 70 meet
him. THIS chief proved to be a man Of in
telligencc and Of pretty good character for
I'M Indian. He recognized the amenities
of the situation and promised 10 deal fair
ly. Just the same old Brown would not
permit him 10 come neas'r than 20 feet to
Me spot where he and the Indian woman
we're standing, Brown told this chief that
.is business was to exchange an Indian
woman for Mrs. Geiscl and the baby, and
shat if any harm We're done to Mrs. Geisel
or the child or to him every Indian in tho
tribe would be killed a. soon as the sol
diers could come from the south. He also
said Mrs. GciScl was to he brought ont To
meet him by one Indian, and that if two
came he would not consent to the exchange.
incSc terms were agreed 10 ana carried
out to the letter, Tie same Indian brought
Mrs, Geisel and the baby down to the
meeting place, and the exchange was made
I'm never forget the scene which we wit
messed that afternoon" continued Con-
gresham Hermann, 'whcn old Brown
came down the mountain side carrying he
wee baby in his arms and leading poor
Mrs. 6escl, still attirod in her torn and
battered nightdress by the hand A great
shout went up in the settlement and
party of us rushed out to meet them and
escort them to the fort in triumph"
Congressman simpson In a shipwrcet.