Life among the Indians, or: The captivity of the Oatman girls among the Apache & Mohave Indians
Subtitle: containing also: an interesting account of the massacre of the Oatman family, by the Apache Indians in 1851; the narrow escape of Lorenzo D. Oatman; the capture of Olive A. and Mary A. Oatman; the death by starvation of the latter; the five years' suffering and captivity of Olive A. Oatman; also, her singular recapture in 1856
By: as given by Lorenzo D. & Olive A. Oatman, the only surviving members of the family, to the author, R.B. Stratton.
Contributors: Bynum, Lindley.; Dean, Mallette, 1907- illus.
Series: [Rare Americana.; 3d ser., no. 2]
Publisher: Grabhorn Press
Published: 1935
Place of publication: San Francisco
Language: eng
Number of pages: 209
Subjects: Oatman family.; Indian captivities.
Other titles: The captivity of the Oatman girls among the Apache and Mohave Indians.
Description: In 1851, on route to California in a covered wagon, the Oatman family was brutally attacked by Apache Indians. Six family members were murdered on sight, one boy was left for dead, who escaped afterward, and two young girls, Mary Ann and Olive, were taken captive. Mary Ann, the younger of the two girls, died of starvation in 1852. Olive, however, spent five years in captivity before an incredible rescue. In 1856, she was discovered living among the Mohave tribe, and a ransom was offered in exchange for her release. After years of slavery and bearing a prominent blue tattoo traditional to the Mohave people on her face, Olive was restored to her only living family member, Lorenzo Oatman, the brother who survived. This book was commissioned by Lorenzo Oatman as a factual record of his sisters' fates, based on true events. The story is one of tragedy and loss, at times fascinating and also horrifying. The dramatic yet somber words of Lorenzo and Olive, as recorded by Royal B. Stratton, bring readers into the thrilling immediacy of the Apache attack, Lorenzo's escape, the tragic moment when Olive watches Mary Ann die, and most importantly into the final, happy rescue as Olive is reunited with her brother.
Notes: "Five hundred & fifty copies ... printed ... The illustrations are engraved on wood by Mallette Dean."
"Introduction to this edition, by Lindley Bynum": 3d-4th prelim. leaves.
First edition, 1857 has title "Life among the Indians; being an interesting narrative of the captivity of the Oatman girls ..." The 2d ed, 1857, and latter printings have title "Captivity of the Oatman girls ..."