Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-01-14


made to leave for Fort Dodge. consid
cred the nearest point of safety.
Fortunately the Indians had no
cared to bother with the Thomas cattle
and yoke of the best animals on the
place was got ready and hitched tc
a large sled On this the twenty
refugees started on the long cold drive
| 1t was thought the Indians might fol-
low, but they did not. The oxen had
hard work in the snow and unbroker
roads. and at o'clock in the morning
the poor animals were so fatigued that
they could go no farther. When day
light broke bearings were taken, and
I it was found that the party was only
two and one-half miles from the
Thomas cabin, having travelled about
in a circle. The settlers stopped at the
| cabin of man named Granger, who
| was getting ready to join the party IN
the pilgrimage to Fort Dodge. Here
I too two other members Of the Thomas
cabin-two doctors who at the time OF
the attack We're caring for man who
! had been badly froZen-joined the par
i ~. The journey 10 Fort Dodge was a
nar0 one. and Mrs. Thomas lost an
ether of her children. Marietta, aged 3,
who died MAY u, 1857, from exposure
cue to the journey.
Old Resident Of This County.
Mrs. Thomas. altho participating in
the stirring events of the early days of
northern Iowa, was likewise a pioneer
of this county.
Mrs Thomas was born Irene Clark.
in Sangamon county, Illinois. Nov. %.
1924 She became the wife of James
b. Thomas Oct %, 1910. a month be-
fore she was II years old. She was
only Is years old when her oldest son,
Frank NJ. Thomas, was born.
The Thomases came to this county
shortly after their terrible experiences
with the Indians, and settled at Mari
eta Later they moved to farm three
miles west Of Albion, which Mrs.
Thomas owned at the time OF her
death Mr.. Thomas died Feb. 9. 1865.
and twenty-four years ago his widow
moved into Albion. For his loss in the
| Indian raid the government paid Mr..
Thomas s2.700. Mr.. Thomas was al
ways a cripple as result of his injury
at the hands of the Indians. gangrene
having developed from the wound, ne
cessitating the amputation of the hand.
Later a second amputation had to be
, performed.
Mother Of Ten Children.
Mrs. Thomas was the mother OF ten
children. six of whom are living. The
oldest son. Frank. for whom the local
C. A. r post and Woman's Relief
Corps were named eerved with Com
pany I. Eighth Iowa cavalry. as quar-
termaster sergeant. Mr. Thomas en-
listed in this city, and on July 30, 1864.
was wounded in the leg at Newman.
Ga. and taken prisoner Confederate
surgeons amputated the leg. just be-
low the knee The injury and exposure
and hardships told on Mr.. Thomas in
later years. and he developed tuber-
culosis. dying at WASHINGTON. D. c.,
March 6. 1878. While in Washington to
get paners signed that would make him
territorial governor of New Mexico. he
had been elected twice as county re-
corder here. and once as clerk. shortl.'
before he died. His body was brought
here for burial and the G. a. r. post.
lust 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 Mrs.
Thomas. whose widow is the present
wife of DR.. Watson Roberts.
Three Of Mrs. Thomas living chill
dren are also survivors OF. the Indian
massacre. They are Albert, now OF
San Diego. Cal, who was IL at the
time Of the massacre; Sylvester. OF
Hunter. Okla. who was about { years
old a. that time: and Emma, now Mrs.
Striker Of Munden, Kan, who was 9
Years old.
Frank and William and baby Mari
eta. completed the family at that time
of the massacre. Four other children
were born to Mrs Thomas. Three OF
these are living, in the persons of Rev
, Valentine c. Thomas, Of Preston. Kan.
George Thomas. of Seattle; and Ed
ward 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.
Funeral Wednesday Afternoon.
Mrs Thomas body was taken to the
NJ. F. Reisinger home at Albion. and
the funeral will be held from the
Friends church Wednesday afternoon
t at o'clock. Rev. Effie Arms, pastor
of the church, officiating. Burial viii
be beside the grave of Mr.. Thomas in
the Albion cemetery.