The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-12-28
YT HE story of the Indian woman
left alone on the island of
San Nicolas for nearly TWEEN

San Nicolas for nearly TWEEN.
IT, years has been written by
a number OF romancers who gave but
little heed to fact and free rein to i'm
agination. From occurrences that
have passed into history and are
known to be authentic, this tale is
drawn.
The aborigines Of San Nicolas Island
were supposed TO be of Aztec or Toll
tee origin, q peaeeable people like all
tribes indigenous to the tropics.
War with the savage Alaskan In
dams had nearly exterminated the In
dams of San Nicolas when the Cath
ole fathers who founded the missions
on the mainland desired to bring the
Few remaining natives across the
channel that they might teach them
the Christian religion. Accordingly,
after repeated efforts to accomplish
this, schooner was sent to the island
In 1886 for this purpose. Some time
was consumed in gathering together
these people and their effects.
AS the last boat was leaving the
strand, woman with a young babe
In her arms sprang ON shore. Her lit
tie girl, a child Of eight years, had
slipped from her side in the confusion
gone probably in search OF some re-
membered trinket dear to her childish
heart-or. perhaps, run away, over
come with terror at the unusual migra-
ton Of her people.
The woman besought them to await
her return. and fastened over the hill,
calling as she went. The moments
passed-the white man is ever impa-
tient, and he grumbied at the delay.
An hour went by, but the woman had
not returned. The wind was rising
rapidly, and storm was imminent.
The schooner had signalled them twice
In the last half hour. The waters
about the island were shoal, and there
was no safe anchorage along its
shores. The waves were running high
upon the lodges surrounding the little
bay. and their crests were white with
the foam of action. The ship signalled
again, and with muttered impreca-
ton and gruff command. the boat
pushed off to join the tossing vessel.
AS soon as all were on board, Cap
tain Hubbard weighed anchor and
stood away for deep water. When the
relatives and friends learned that the
woman had been left behind. they be-
sought the captain with many tears,
and with pleadings In their own
tongue, to return and bring her away.
The gale increased in fury and con-
tinued undated for the space of
week. The heavy-laden schooner Ia
bored hard and disaster threatened.
When San Pedro Harbor was finally
reached, the San Nicolas Indians were
distributed between Los Angeles and
San Gabriel missions. and Captain
Hubbard departed for Monterey,
where he had orders to take on Il car
60 of lumber for San Francisco.
On reaching the Golden Gate, In
rough weather, the improperly laden
craft capsized and was eventually
blown out to sea, and is supposed to
have been taken by Russian vessel.
The crew reached shore in safety. and
It was always Captain Hubbard's in
tention to return to San Nicolas for !
the lost woman. There was now no |
craft of any description except open |
boats and Indian canoes from San |
Francisco to San Diego, and no one |
could be found willing to risk a voy- |
age to San Nicolas in one of these.
1t was generally known along the |
coast of California that an Indian |
woman and her children had been left |
upon the Island of San Nicolas. but as |
lime passed and they were not res
.ued. it came to be generally believed
hat all had persisted. Fifteen years
slipped by. and in the spring of 1851
Captain Nidever, Of Santa Barbara.
With one other white man and small I
rev of Mission Indians, visited San
Nicolas in a schooner in search of
utter. They made q landing at the
EASTERN end of the island, and walked
liong the southern shore distance Of
I've miles or more. Captain Nidever
discovered footprints of human being
DON after landing. These were no
Ioubt made when the ground had been
oaked by the previous winter rains.
or the impressions were deep and
Iulte dry and hard. The footprints
we're small. and the captain felt con-
-inced that they were made by a
woman. A short distance from the
bore were found several circular,
oofiess huts made of brush. about
TX feet in height and the same in d.
meter. These enclosures were full
' a mile apart. and near them were
takes of driftwood driven in the
from which were suspended
ieces of seals blubber out of the
each of wild animals. The blubber
vas comparatively fresh, and had no
oubt been placed there but q few
veeks previous.
Captain Nidever had landed upon
an Nicolas early in the morning, in
ending to remain during the day to
earch for seal and otter, but near
DON q Northwestern began blowing.
nd he fastened back to the schooner.
Iere they remained at anchor for
light days in the lee OF the island. the
ca being at times so rough and the
yind so fierce that he expected mo-
lentarily to be driven from his an
HORACE. When the storm abated sui.
GENTLY. Captain NIdever returned to
anita Barbara without again landing
pom the island.
Qhs naxt rear No 0aeo mora y1GitoA Z