Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1899-06-23
Observation-Disclosures
hRltLING STORY OF A WOMAN'S
CAPTURE AND ESCAPE.

Territory In ASO4.
While in Washington one day saw
me ont CT the department, of Justices
oman Of attractive appearance Xs
e paused moment on the step and
bked with bright. observant eyes over
the White House and along Pennsyl
mia avenue, she presented picture
comfortable, placid middle age One
the attorneys from the Indian derre-
tion claims department accompanied
n to the door. and after she babe him
odby he said
''That woman is Mrs. Sarah L. Lari-
er of Nebraska and she is making her
arly visit to Washington. When at
b capital, she always calls on her
lends in the department OF justice
The files of Indian depreciation claims
ountain no more romantic and thrilling
Dncidents than these which relate the
>orly life Of Mrs. Larimer Those who
eet her now as woman of the present
IL. quite abreast of the times in which
E lives. interested in all public ques-
bns and full Of kindly sympathies. can
hrcely realize that in her youth she
De the heroine of a regular dime
vel story Of the plains.
''In 1864 Lieutenant Larimer. who
ID just been honorably discharged
BIN the Union army. left his home in
nsas. accompanied by his young wife
III little child. to cross the plains for
restoration of his health. which had
zen out through hard service in the
: r They were in company with sew
hl other travellers and had with them
Quluable personal belongings. consist
lng Of several wagons and horses. ex-
plnsive clothing. family jewels. COM
Dte Photographic outfit and nearly
B 900 in money When in Wyoming
ltritory. they were surprised by a band
o Sioux Indians. who murdered three
G1 the party. wounded two. Lieutenant
knrimer being one Of the wounded. and
9optured Mrs. Larimer and her child
he Indians took the woman and child
n their camp. about 70 miles from
- spot where they had attacked the
1z1velers
"A day or two after the attack news
me to the Eleventh cavalry. stationed
G Fcrt Laramie. Wy. that the Sioux
I'D attacked travellers on the emigrant
I'D and had carried Mrs. Larimer and
- child into captivity. Lieutenant
orimer had been found. nearly dead
Dm arrow wounds and distracted at
fate which had befallen his wife
"a baby. The officers of the Eleventh
Immediately moved part Of their com
md up the Platte river and obtained
4Uether information as to where the
I'D had. taken place They were about
ice of two companies when Mrs
44rimer came crawling into camp. car
4 3ng her child in her arms Their con-
Jon was deplorable She and the child
pre nearly famished. AS soon as Mrs.
rimer was able she gave a detailed
count Of the position of the Indians.
eir plans and movements. their de-
ns against the command which they
Jew would be moving against them.
eir numbers and the ambuscades
bich they had prepared Her informa.
pn was so valuable that the officers
re able to thwart the designs Of the
dians. not only against the pursuing
oops. but against exposed points and
ms that were on the emigrant road.
The officers found the information
Is Larimer gave as to the position
b movements Of the Indians to be ex-
ly as she had said and maryeled at
powers Of observation and clearness
= memory which had endured through
hours of torture she had gone
rough. The accuracy Of her state
ents was particularly verified by the
It that one Of the lieutenants and q
" Of his men. who had disobeyed or
rs and followed trail apart from the
nmand. fell into an ambuscade de-
fibed by Mrs .Larimer and were
led
Mrs Larimer was never quite clear
to how many hours she had passed
tn the Indians From the moment OF
rtivity. when they had started of
tn her child and herself in their train
had concentrated every faculty on
itching for an opportunity Of escape
e had seen her husband etruck down
arrows, killed. as she supposed; had
IN the wagons tired and her friends
led and wounded She had read OF
tortures inflicted by Indians upon
pmen captives. never imagining that
e day she would be their wretched
ctim She was determined. IL posi-
s TO get herself and child away from
eir clutches and die in some other
BY than by their tortureA She had
ways been a girl Of fearless disposi-
bn. quick in her movements and very
servant She pretended to be bodily
iangnid and almost immova bic
lie After 'hours Of waiting and
itching their dances and listening to
eif plans for further depredations
men they had ceased to observe her.
FOUND a chance to slip away beyond
nfes into the dark bush For hours
nours through two days and
sn" she struggled On. faint. nearly
ao' until abe fell e1hausted in the
mp OF the cavalry.
~ was . happy TINA Of course