Norwich bulletin., 1921-05-02
oDD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAN
 HISTORY
THE KIDNAPPING OF FRANCES
 sLOCUM.

One of the most remarkable kidnap- ping incidents of the Revolutionary war was that of Frances Slocum whose fa- ther was victim of the famous Wyo- ming massacre in Pennsylvania, on July 3, ITS. The Slocum family had de- fended the settlers in this valley, and this no doubt angered the Indians and they resolved upon revenge.
 Late in the autumn of ITS Indians were seen prowling around about the Slocum house, which was about 100 rods from the Wilkes-Barre fort One morn-
 nS two of the Slocuin sons were grind ing knife near the house when they were attacked by the Indians. who scalped the eldest boy, aged fifteen. with the knife he had been grinding.
 Mrs. Sloeuin ran 10 the door. when she was pushed aside by one of the Indians who entered the house and caught up her little son. Sec" exclaimed the frightened mother. he can do thee no good he is lame" The Indians released the boy and took up her little daughter. Frances, aged five years. and hastened to the mountains. An alarm was given at the fort, but the Indians were able to make good their escape
 Mrs. Slooum had been bereft of her husband and fire through death, and her daughter through Kidnapping but She kept the lamp of hope burning for the latter. But as years rolled by no tid- ings of the little one came When peace returned and friendly intercourse with Canada was established, two of the little captive's brothers started in search of her. They traYersed every section, but all in vain
 At length the mothers heart was cheered, for a woman was found among
 the Indians answering 10 the description
 of the daughter She only retnerf1bered
 Being carried dway from the -Susuiie- lhafi1a. Mrs. Slocum took her home. and cherished her with mothers tender ness. But more and more she became satisfied that it was not Frances. The founding also felt no filial yearnings and finally returned to her Indian friends.
 The mother finally went down to the grave mourning, and little Frances was almost forgotten. Her brothers had be-
 come aged men and their grandchildren
 were playing upon the very spot from
 whence she had been taken. In the
 summer of 1887. fifty -nihe years aftei her capture. intelligence of Frafces was
 received. Colonel Ewing. an Indiaf trader in q letter from Logansport. Ind.
 10 the editor of the I.anca ster 1rtelligen
 cer. gave such information that al
 doubts respecting her identity were re } moved.
 joseph slocuni, with the sister wiit carried him t6 the fort iniinedgatel! went to I6gahsport where they founj
 their sister living about twelve mile. from that village. She came to nee her brother and sister dressed in ful . IndisI costdrne, and. accorf5ahied by her two daughters An interpreter wa rr6etred, for she vas. unabie to speai
 English, and She listened seriously t Fhat Fer relatives haa t5 say. -i tSseph siosun fernenbered d mark 5
 recognition which his mother had sail : would be sjire test The bone of lie : middle finger had been crushed and th nall was missing. through having me With an accident when two and a hal ,, years old. This test Mir. Slocum ha i withheld until all others should fai q When he mehtloned it the. aged woma
 was. greatly aeitated, and whils tear
 fiied tfie furr9ws of her face. she hel t out the wounded finger. There was n a longer a doubt.
 HAs kaSctisa for S4s kiaarAa, tn.