The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-26

band, Samuel Vance confided to him over
eighteen years before.
He was informed that his mother had
been dead at least ten IEears. She had
grieved so much over the loss OF her only
child, George, that she finally went into
decline and died, believing that her son was
yet living His father, after time, re-
turned to Virginia, where he had many
relatives, with whom he spent the REM
nant of his days. Samuel Vance was then
absent, having gone in search of his wife.
AS soon as peace had been declared be-
tween the whites and the Indians, he
started on his hopeful errand, saying he
would never stop the search until he found
her. or learned her fate. The Miller fam
lily, as soon as peace was established, had
moved East, settling near Fort Greenville,
with hope of being able to learn the fate
of their two daughters.
Several old citizens, having learned that
George Nicely had returned, dropped in that
evening to see him, and requested him to
give them a history of his captivity and
what he knew regarding the fate Of his
companions.
STORY OF THE CAPTURE.
His account of the captivity was as fol-
lows: Late in the evening Of the we'd
ding day the bride, Martha Vance, and her
sister, Sarah Miller, with their aunt Eve.
were starting to go over to the new cabin
and at their request 1 went with them.
After the cabin had been swept out and ar
ranged and Martha had, closed the door
behind us. we heard loud screams, and the
cry of Indians. Indiansv The warning
came from the old woman. who was good
,ferI,< do rlr
and cloudy. Before we had time to think
we were surrounded by band of Indians,
| eight I'm number The women shrieked and
screamed, but were shut up by threats and
| choking We were hurried away. and had
travelled about four hours. when We lay
down to rest, starting again in the morn
| ing before it was light, and continued
rapid fight all day and far into the night
| until we reached the river, when we at
| once got into the canoes they had secreted
| in the underbrush.
1.-THE women were completely worn out,
and as soon as they took their places in the
canoes they fell into a sound sleep. We
descended the stream until near daylight
| when we reached the Ohio river, and at
once crossed it. The Indians hid the boats
as usual. After eating our breakfast we
started on our long journey to Sandusky
| One of the Wyandots, who could speak
English. told me that was their destination
The party was composed of five Wyandots
| and three Shawnees.
ION reaching our point of destination we
| all remained together in the village for
/ several days. One morning Martha called
me to her. She said that the Indians who
/ claimed her as their prisoner were then
about to start for their village, six days
| journey away. Co. said she, and find
| Sarah and tell her 1 am going. Bring
her as soon as you can l found her, and
| the two sisters were soon in each others
arms and had only time to say goodbye
| while they wept as though their hearts
| would break.
| "The separation, so unexpected was a
| terrible shock TO them. Sarah sank to the
\ earth in despair. The Indians moved on
| down the hill. but for some reason halted
/ for a few minutes, when l saw Sarah
| reckoning me to come to her. L ran as
| fast as / could, and when I reached her.
| while the tears ran down her cheeks, she
said: George, if you ever meet Samuel,
| or should have a chance TO send word TO
| him. tell him 1 say he must not despair;
L
| care of me ard eventually we will meet and
! be happy, and If not on this earth, We will
| meet i'm the better world where parting is
| unknown Tell Sarah she must not grieve,
| but TO cheer up. have confidence i'm the
| Lord and he will make IL all right in the
| end We shook hands, and that was the
| last | ever saw or heard or Martha Vance.
| ..Soon after this 1 lost sight of Sarah for
| about two years, the family by whom she
| was adopted having left that locality.
| met her again at the great corn dance,
| which was attended by the whole tribe. She
informed me that they were living over on
/ the lake shore; that she was married hav-
! ing married a French Canadian rather than
| tn be compelled 10 marry an Indian. She
| had determined to drown herself before
she would marry an Indian. She seemed
quite happy About year later I met her
| again. She had a child i'm her arms. Her
husband was with her. He was a genteel-
| sppearing man. She was mounted upon a
pony. while she led another. carrying his
ipack of goods. He trader among the
Indians. They were then, she said. on their
| way to visit the Shawnees, over on the
| Augaize and Maumee rivers with the hope
| Of finding Martha. That was the last