Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-04-29
Albion Woman Survivor Of Spirit Lake Massacre

20 no further. When daylight broke
behring's were taken, and It was founo
that the, party was only two and one
half miles from the Thomas cabin, nav
ing travelled about in a circle. Inc
settlers stopped at the cabin OF man
named Granger, who was getting ready
to join the party in the pilgrimage 10
Fort Dodge. Here, too two other mem
bers of the Thomas cabin-two doctors
who at the time Of the attack were
caring for man who had been badly
frozen, Joined the party. The journey
in Fort Dodge was hard one, ana Mrs.
Thomas lost another Of her chlldren'
Marietta. aged g. who died May Us
1857. from exposure due to the journey
Old Resident Of This County.
Mrs. Thomas, altho participating IN
the stirring events of the early days OF
northern Iowa, is likewise a pioneer
of this county. Mrs. Thomas was porn
Irene Clark, in .Sangamon county In
nois, Nov. %, 1924. She became the
wife of James B. Thomas Oct. ~. lS4V,
a month before she was II years ola
She was only IS. years old whe9 her
Oldest son, Frank NJ. Thomas,/ was
born.
The Thonases came to this county
SnOELlN alteT lHCh tCA Ai'hS S-NP>A->''~
with the Indians, and settled at Mariet-
ia. Later they moved to farm three
miles west Of Albion, which Mrs.
Thomas still owns. Mr.. Thomas died
Feb. 9, 1865, and twenty-five years ago
his widow moved into Albion. For his
loss in the Indian raid the government
paid Mr. Thomas $4,000. Mr.. Thomas
was always a cripple as a result OF his
injury at the hands OF the Indians.
Gangrene developed from the wound.
and the hand was amputated. Later a
second. amputation had to be perform
ed.
Mother Of Ten Children.
Mrs. Thomas was the mother of ten
children. six of whom are living. The
Oldest son. Frank cor whom the LEGAL
post was named. served with Company
]. Eighth Iowa cavalry, as quartermas-
ter sergeant. Mr. Thomas enlisted in
this city. and on July 80. 1864, was
wounded in the leg at Newman. Ca,
and taken prisoner. Confederate sur
geons amputated the leg. Just below
the knee. The injury and exposure ana
hardships told on Mr.. Thomas in later
years. and he developed tuberculosis.
dying at Washington, D. c.. March 6,
1873 while in Washington to get papers
overnor of New Mexico. He has been
elected twice as county recorder here.
and once AS clerk shortly before he
died His body was brought here for
burial, and the G. A. r. post. just
about to be organized was named in
his honor. Miss Agnes Thomas. for
merly of this city. but now Of Portland.
Ore. is the only daughter of Mr..
Thomas. whose wife is the present
wife Of DR.. Watson Roberts.
Three of Mrs. Thomas living chill
dren are also survivors of the Indian
ma ssacre. They are Albert. now OF
San Diego. Cal. who was 10 at the
time of the massacre: Sylvester. Of
Hunter. Okla, who was about years
old at that time: and Emma. now Mrs
Striker Of Munden, Kan, who was
years old.
Frank and William and baby Mariet-
ia, completed the family at that time.
Four other children were born to Mrs
Thomas. Three of these are living in
the persons OF Rev. Valentine G.
Thomas, of Fairview. Kan: George
Thomas, of Seattle; and Edward
Thomas. the Youngest son. Of Spokane
In honor of the boy William. who was
killed was named another son. but he
was always known as Willie. He died
twenty eight years ago and was buried
at Albion.
Mrs. Thomas remembers the stirring
incidents of so many years ago Won
derfully we'll, and in recalling dates she
displays a remarkable memory. The
income from her farm supports her
and tho any one Of her children would
be glad to care for her. the mother pre-
fers to live alone in the little home in
which she has lived so long.