The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-12-07
THE WOMAN OF SAN NICOLAS ISLAND.
A Strange Story of the Pacific Coast.

San Nicolas for game, landing near
the same place as on his previous voy-
age. He and his ships mate explored
the island nearly to its western ex-
tremity. The blubber found on the
previous visit had been replaced by
fresh stock. In the crotch of tree
near the west end Of the island they
found basket containing a garment
made Of the skins Of the cormorant.
cut In squares and neatly pieced to-
gether; with the ends of the feathers
all pointing downward. There were
shell hooks. bone needles. rope Of
sinew, and various trinkets in the baS-
ket with the robe. These things Cap
tain Nidever scattered upon the
ground, thinking IL they were replaced
on his next visit to the tree 1t would
be conclusive evidence that the wom-
an was still alive. After several days
spent In securing seal and otter upon
the ground already explored, another
wind storm came on. and the spot
containing the basket was not revisit
ed; as on all previous voyages, the
woman was left to her fate and the
schooner crossed to San Miguel Island
without her.
In July. 1853. Captain Nidever again
went to San Nicolas, determined to
rescue the woman IL she could be
found. Before. he had gone to find OF
ter and seal; now he had q nobler
quest.
He anchored midway Of the north
western shore of the island, near Cor
raj Harbor. where the natives had
embarked In 1885. At this point and
at the western extremity of the island
Is found an abundance of good water.
seal and fish. Here Captain Nidever
made camp, and with his men began
a systematic search. On the second
day a hut was discovered upon the
ridge. and on approaching 1t, piles of
ashes and bones were seen at it
entrance.
Within the enclosure sat the object
Of their search. talking aloud to her
self, and with a rude knife. manufac-
tured from a piece Of rusty iron hoop.
washed up by the waves, she was dill
gently scraping blubber from piece
Of sealskin.
She watched the approach Of the
men with interest, but made no at
tempt at flight. She was clothed In
garment of cormorant skins which
reached nearly to her ankles, and her
throat and arms were bare. Her hair |
was yellowed by the sun and tangled,
and her skin. where exposed. was
brown, but where protected by her |
robe 1t was quite fair, showing her |
to be of Aztec or Toltec origin. She
received her visitors with the quiet |
and dignity of queen. greeting each
with bow and smile. She talked |
necessarily, but no word Of hers could
be understood, although the Indians Of
the rescuing party spoke several dial
ects. In her hut was fire. and when
the captain and his men were seated.
the woman roasted roots, termed car
comite'' BY Californians. which she
served to the company an abalone
shellsL
One day she took her new comrades
to a deep hidden grotto. where bub-
bled q cool spring from whence she
drew her supply Of water for cooking.
Here they found several unique water
Jars woven by her of the island
grasses. and lined with asphaltum.
which IL plentiful on the western
shore. The water Jars resembled
wids-mouthed bottles. and would hold
from two to six quarts. 1t was inter-
esting to watch her make baskets
water tight. She would drop into them
bits Of asphaltum and hot pebbles,
whirling them deftly as the asphaltum
liQuefled. It required skill and pa.
tience.. but when they were thorough
" galvanized with thin coating the
Jars were both light and durable.
A second spring near the above
mentioned grotto she used as a lava
tory. ana would frequently visit It, for
she was very Clearly in her habits.
At the expiration Of q month, when
the schooner was ready to depart, she
was made to understand by signs that
she was to go on board. She evidenced
the pathetic struggle she had waged
with want in the years Of solitude by
gathering together every fragment Of
food in her possession. In the crevices
,f rocks and in other spots secure from
the depredations Of the wild dogs
which infested San Nicolas she had /,
aid up stores Of bones and other re-
fuse In anticipation of some future
starvation times These she insisted
should be carried with her. Once on
board and the firebrand she had
brought burned to ashes she chung |
closely to the stove. showing that she :
often suffered from cold, as well as
hunger. /,
Captain Nidever conveyed the In
dian woman to his home in Santa
Barbara, where she lived In his family
until her death. She was supposed ,
to be about fifty years of age when
She had docile, loving nature and
was Of peculiarly happy disposition. {,
How she had retained these qualities |
In her years Of lonely life Is a mys-
terry. She became much attached to
her new friends. and they in turn gave
her a most cordial affection. She was | l
naturally intelligent and full Of re-
sources, and soon learned to communi- !
ate with those about her. She told Of {
her sorrow at the death Of her Oldest 1
hid. who was devoured by wild dogs l
~ the day her people were taken {
rom The island By Captain Hubbard.
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