The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-13

whites. he said. passing through the sa-
cred land OF the Indian? The Ward party
was q small one. 1t could muster but -
men. Each man was well arr4ed. but the
Indians were mixing up with them and 1t
would have been impossible to get 20
gether for united action. It was necessary
to submit to the wishes OF the Indians.
Bacon. sugar. -four and crackers were
given up and the old chief divided them
among his people.
Annoyed ny Young Hraves.
While this division was being made
young braves were husying themselves by
annoying the members OF the party. In
the party was young woman who had
charge OF two horses attached to light
covered wagon. Several OF the braves took
a fancy TO her. They wanted her. They
gave the whites to understand that any
woman who could drive horses was all
right and must not 90 any farther. Mr.
Ward and hts men had a hard time keep
ing the Indians from stealing the girl.
Once they crowded about her and for
time IT was thought that she would be
taken by force. The white men and sew
eral OF the women want 10 her rescue
Mrs. Mercer was In the rescue party. She
showed the Indians right and lef, and IA
the end the girl was Rescued and SNUG
gled into a closed wagon. where she re-
manned concealed FOR some hours. An
other young woman IN the party had
beautiful auburn hair An Indian warrior
took fancy 10 her. thought she was the
finest woman he had ever seen. and said
that his people would compromise II she
were given TO him for , wife. Again there
was trouble and the gil had to be hidden
In closed wagon.
The Indians kept M their annoyance Of
the party for some time. but finally their
hunger got the better OF them and they
sat down 10 eat the food which the Ward
party had under compuiSion given them.
The Indian chief consented that the white
people should TAXA their departure. They
were quick ~ do so and we're soon some
distance from the Indian camp.
Arrival at seattle.
After the Wards reached Oregon Mrs
Mercer settle. Down 20 pioneer life with
the other members Of .he family: hut IN
the fall Of 1850 Thomas Mercer. then pro-
bate Judge 81 King county. wooei and won
her and .hey were married Her father
died In 1874. The wedding was one OF the
important affairs OF early days. Rev.
Daniel Bagley. Of this city. performed the
ceremony After Mr.. and Mrs, Mercer
came To this city they took M their resi-
denes In little house on First avenue
near Washington street. The Mercer home
at present occupies block Of the cid Mer-
Ger donation claim. Tire horne IL OF LON
bard street. between Prospect AID Willard
avenues.
When Mr.. and Mrs. Mercer came "a Sc
attic. john Denny and wife and James
CamDhen and wife accompanied them
These three families swelied the ropuia-
tio, 10 thirteen families. John Denny and
wife ard James Campbell and wife died
years age leaving MIR. and Mrs. Mercer 40
REPRESENT the arrivals Of 1889
AT the time Mr.. and Mrs. Mercer took III
their residence IN Seattle. -. =. Ward.
Mrs Mereer's hal. brother. accompanied
them. Seattle was not . very biz city in
those DAYS" SAID MFR. Ward recently. IN
aiseussing the matter. 81 remember that
soon after my arrival thought | would
take a walk up In the woods went 20
che church which stood where 81 present
IA che Boston National bank building.
found the windows rlied with little eal@s
I, MA. a great mystery 10 me went dewn
town ard made inquiry about H. ana was
fala that they we're placed there BY the
indians during the fight three years es-
fore. Every hole represented a bullet are1
from the guns % the Indians.
Mr. and Mrs Mercer never tad any enia-
srrn. They lived quiet but very hsppy
rfs. Mrs Mercer was a woman O. many
Grand qualities and she never permitted
snv suffering 20 20 on about her II she vas
in q position 20 check IL. she was 5000
friend OF TIE peer. and Cd many htiss
,htrxs 20 relieve their needs OF waicA the
world knew eus little.