Indian horrors of the fifties; story and life of the only known living captive of the Indian horrors of sixty years ago ...

Introduction

In presenting this book to the public we are giving to them a true and correct history of the life of the only living captive of the Indian horror of sixty years ago. It is a thrilling story, one full of excitement and horrors, and the reader will no doubt say, after reading this book, that the author went through many hardships and a great deal of suffering in order that he would some day see his loved ones from whom he had been parted by the hands of the savage red men.

For many years the author wandered from place to place, receiving no education, working here and there, but finally settled down, giving up all hopes of ever seeing old friends or relatives; was married, and by hard work he has accumulated quite a little fortune, and at the present time is the owner of 720 acres of land, besides plenty of live stock, etc. With his family, and at a ripe old age, he is now living happy and contented.

Chapter I

The subject of this story was born in Virginia, and while a very small boy, six or seven years old, my father, after mother died, was all broken up and did not know what to do, but finally decided to go west. I was the only child in our family. I had an aunt living somewhere in Iowa. My father's name was Jesse Alexander and he called me Jesse.

He said to me one day : "Jesse, how would you like to go to Iowa and see your Aunt Molly?" I told him I would like to go the best kind.

"Well, son," he said, "We will go to see Aunt Molly."

He got ready soon after that and started. I never had travelled any, and of course I saw many new things and I asked father all kinds of questions about different things.

He said to me one day : "Jesse, you surely will be a very smart man if asking questions will have anything to do with it."

I said to papa : " Well, I never saw so many new things before/'

I asked him one day how big a town Iowa was. Of course I was just an innocent little boy and did not know but what Iowa was a big town instead of a State. He explained to me that Iowa was not a town but a State, where lots of people, including Indians, lived.

I asked him a thousand and one questions about the Indians — if they were people like us or what they were like. He was, I think, a little vexed at my asking so many foolish questions. I well remember him saying I was sure a little dandy to ask questions.

We travelled along until we finally took the stage to go where Aunt Molly lived, and after a long journey we came to her home. It was a small place — I don't remember the name of the town, but it was a little hamlet with but three or four houses and a log house for a hotel. There was a big pond or lake right by the little hamlet. I asked him if that was Iowa. He said "Yes" to please me, I suppose, "We have finally got to Iowa. How do you like it, son? Does it look like home to you ?"

I answered: "No, it does not. Let's go home. I don't want to stay in such a place."

Aunt Molly told me I was too far from home to think of going back. She petted me up and told me that we would have a nice time fishing and hunting deer. Then I had a thousand and one questions to ask papa as to what deer was ; what did they look like ; and if they lived in the water like the fish did? He and Aunt Molly laughed lots at my childish questions, but both agreed I surely was a dandy to ask questions.

Uncle James was her husband's name, for short. I do not remember what their real names were — only Aunt Molly and Uncle James, for short. He was a nice, good fellow, and when papa and Aunt Molly would josh me for asking so many questions, "Well, Jesse, I think they are too hard on you. Just tell them you want to know all about Iowa and you can't find out without asking some questions."

Papa, Uncle James, Aunt Molly and I went fishing while we were there. Uncle James caught an awful big fish — the biggest one I ever saw, and I asked him if he would not catch a deer next time. I wanted to see one. He said he would try and catch one so I could see what a deer looked like. Then papa and Aunt Molly began to guy me again about asking such foolish questions. Finally papa got a turtle on his hook in some way which could not get loose, and he dragged it out on the bank.

"Now, son, I have caught the deer," he said to me, "come and look at it."

I ran to see the deer. "My! Papa," I said, "It ain't like the deer was in Virginia — it has no horns."

He got hold of its tail and said : "Look here — it has one big horn." I thought that beat anything I ever saw. Then they laughed at me until I cried. Uncle James said I was a nice little boy and they must quit making fun of me. He told me that was a turtle and and that deer did not live in the water like fish; that they lived on the prairie and in the timber, like cattle and horses did. Then I was satisfied. Uncle James always helped me out and I thought lots of him. I had worn papa out with foolish questions on our way out to Iowa and I guess he thought it was time to begin to break me of the habit.

The country was very new at that time and very few settlers lived there and they were far apart, and the Indians made it hard for them. It was nothing uncommon to hear of a whole family being killed. Some of the people would leave and go back where they came from to get rid of being bothered with the Indians so much. Things went from bad to worse and the Indians came to this little hamlet in a pretty strong force one night and murdered most all of the settlers. Of course I do not know whether any one of them was left alive or not. I was spared and taken a captive. I do not know whatever became of papa and Uncle James and Aunt Mollie. Papa was a very resolute man and I think he would have fought to the last moment of his life.

After the massacre the Indians took me and went away from there and had a big time among themselves. I was scared to death. I did not know what to think or do among those savage Indians. They seemed to try to console me as best they could, but my — I thought it was awful. I could not understand them. They made all kinds of signs to make me understand, but I was so scared I could not understand anything, nor did I try. I wanted to go to papa, and Uncle James and Aunt Molly. I talked to them like I did to papa and they would just laugh and chatter among themselves like it was funny.

But it was everything but funny to me. I was so scared I did not know what to do with myself. I cried myself sick and the old medicine man fixed me up a lot of dope and they made me take it. I finally went to sleep and when I woke up I was in a big wigwam, laying on a big buffalo robe. I felt better but the scare came on me again and I was just about as bad as ever.

Then they were getting things ready to move and it seemed to me they finally got everything packed and we started. I cried most of the time until I wore myself out. I would tell them that I wanted to go to papa. They did not understand me, of course. I would point back the way we had came from. Then they would chatter among themselves. I think they understood I wanted to go back. They would shake their heads and say, "Um ! Um !"

They put me on a horse with a big stalwart buck. He tried, it seemed to me, to make it as comfortable as he could for me in every way. I got awfully thirsty for a drink. I told him I wanted a drink, but he could not understand. Finally we came to a little stream of water. I pointed to the water, then he jabbered something to me, and finally he took his hand and shut it up in such a way as to make a sign like he was dipping up water and then put it to his mouth like he was drinking. Then he looked at me and I shook my head as though I would say I wanted a drink. He got off and helped me off and I drank a big drink. Then they all had a big chatter among themselves. They would all evening make a motion with their hands like they were drinking and laugh and chatter about it like it was awfully funny. I guess they thought I had gained a great point to find out how I wanted a drink of water. They stopped pretty soon and stayed there a day and night, then the order of the day was to start for the main tribe. I could tell from their actions they shaped things up in a different way. They packed everything like they were going on a long journey. My prediction proved true. It was a long, tedious journey, sure enough, and when we arrived at the main tribe's home I was worn out again as there were some of them who never saw a pale face.

Chapter II

The first day out we travelled north mostly; camping in the wild prairie. Deer and antelope were plentiful. We had nice venison for supper without salt. It was my first meal without salt and I missed it very little, being too scared to notice it.

The Indians tried in every way to soothe my sorrow but they had to wear me out before I got any relief. There was a big stalwart Indian who seemed to share my grief more plainly than the rest. He was called in their language, Wild Dog. He had the biggest and best heart in him of any of the tribe. He was always very attentive to me and looked after my welfare at all times. He seemed pained to think there was anything wrong with me and would have the medicine man fix me up something to take. But it was worry and anxiety to see my own people that I needed more than anything else.

After supper we went to bed in their wigwams. We layed on buffalo robes in the rough. I did not sleep very much. One old buck persisted in snoring very loud. I wondered at any one of them sleeping at all. I layed very still for of course I was scared to death anyhow. Wild Dog layed close to me. Pie would get up very carefully, slip over to me and listen to see how I was breathing in order to ascertain whether I was sleeping very sound. Then he would go over to the one who was raising the roof with his terrible snoring and give him a round up and everything would be very quiet for a while and I would get into a doze. Soon he would break loose again like a bear coming down a tree backwards, with all of his feet stuck through the bark of the tree. So it went on all night.

About daybreak I was out rustling around to see what I could see. Wild Dog soon joined me, but I could not understand his motions any better than his language, although he tried very hard to make me understand him.

By and by the whole party was astir. Little Chig Wing, the chief's little daughter, joined me and Wild Dog. It was very singular that her pa and I became mutual friends in a very short time and was for ever after that meeting. Inseparable we became — she was continually with me wherever I went with Wild Dog. I discovered when she missed me for half a day she was always crying and when she would spy me she would run and grab me around the neck and kiss me repeatedly.

We stayed in this camp until the sun showed it to be about the middle of the forenoon. Then things began to look like they were going to hurry on. The ponies were gathered together, pack saddles were strapped and the luggage on and we began to move slowly northward. We travelled all day until the sun was nearly setting, then camp was the order of the day. Little Chig W T ing and Wild Dog and I were out to see what we could see. We rambled around until night, came into camp and had nice venison without salt again. My, if I could have had some of it cooked as my dear mother would have cooked it, I could have eaten a quarter of it myself. But it was not so bad as I was very hungry. Chig Wing ate it like it was good.

Their conversation ran in regard to me and the massacre. I could tell by their actions but not by their words. We finally went to bed again, but Wild Dog concluded he would make it a little more comfortable for himself and me. He took me to a large tree that had blown down, then he took a large robe and made a small tent up against the trunk of the tree. We huddled close together and was soon sleeping and knew no more troubles until the sun was shining bright.

The rest of the party were up when we got up. Little Chig Wing came running to where we were and caressed me as usual. I, of course, responded in the same way, as she seemed to think so much of me. I could not help but think of her also in the same way. The chief and her mother took great notice of us kids and seemed to enjoy setting and watching us romp. Chig Wing's mother got so, in a short time, she would take me in her arms and hug me very hard and kiss me like she would little Chig Wing. That would please little Chig Wing greatly. She and her mother would chatter over it and have a big time, but I could not enjoy their conversation, because I could understand nothing only by signs.

We traveled some days all day and some days only part of the day and finally struck the main tribal force where there were many wigwams and many Indians. They had a big jubilee and I was the wonder of the times. Some of those Indians had never seen a white or pale-face before and they would take hold of my hands and look at them like they were looking at something wonderful. I got very tired of the ordeal. It was not interesting to me like it was to them. Finally Wild Dog saw that I was tired out and the new bunch of Indians were never going to get tired out looking at my face and hands, so he took me and waved his hand and said something to them.

We went away to a large stream of water and he caught some fine fish. We took them to the camp and they were cooked as everything else was, without salt, so I did not enjoy them much. But the rest of the bunch seemed to enjoy them very highly.

After our evening meal Wild Dog, little Chig Wing and I went out to see what there was to be seen. We had not gone very far until we met another party of the tribe who had been out on a foraging trip, like the one that had captured me. They had two Irish fellows with them and I will have to confess they were hard looking customers. I think they had been very hard to subdue and probably fought like tigers. They had been captives for two days only and the Indians had very little time to tone them down.

The first thing in order was to give the new arrivals something to eat. Pat was one of their names. He was not much in the notion of eating, as he said in his natural Irish brogue: "Why in the divil didn't ye salt the fish more?"

Of course the Indians did not understand what he said and Pat went on and minced over it until he got tired.

"Well, be jabbers," he said, "I would rather be in Cork than here with these divils, starving to death. Well, old pal, when we do get back to old Cork we will have a divil of a story to tell the folks."

Chapter III

Those poor Irish boys had been hunting gold with some other parties who had sent them out in search for new mines. They had gotten lost from their comrades and came in contact with those roving Indians, and of course was captured and brought in to camp. They were like most of the Irish — very smooth and caught on to things very fast. They were anxious at all times to be with me and Wild Dog. It would tickle Wild Dog to hear us talk. The Irish boys would seem to have lots to laugh about. I felt much relief after I got a little acquainted with the Irish boys.

We were watched very closely for a long time. In a little while the larger portion of the Indians went hunting in order to secure plenty of food for the winter. In a few days they began to roll in large bears and deer and elk. The two Irish boys were put to work to help dress the game. Pat had lots of fun about the knives made out of flint, and of course a saw would have beat them cutting all to pieces. Pat would say out loud, "I wonder if any of thim red divils ever committed suicide by cutting their throats with them bloody things. I would much sooner be hanged by the neck than to have me throat cut with such a dagger as that."

Time went on and they had a fine lot of meat "jerked." Pat called it "jerked" because they hung it up in great big tiers, put a fire under it and half cooked it without washing it. That was for winter hash.

Bye and bye the winter came on and we stayed close to the wigwams. Only on nice warm sunshiney days we would go out a little. The two Irish boys had to carry lots of wood. Pat would complain often that this was the first time he ever made a horse of himself and he wished "thim red divils would be after hauling some of that bloody things thimselves." But I believe they would of froze to death before they would carry a single stick.

Bye and bye the Indians got to taking the Irish boys out on hunting trips with them. They seemed to enjoy that pretty well. They got acquainted with the country during the winter. One day I overheard them talking about how they were going to make their escape when spring came and the weather got warm so there would be no danger of freezing. They wanted to take me with them but they could not figure anyway to separate me from Wild Dog and little Chig Wing as they were my constant companions. I would have liked to have gone, still I had become very much attached to little Chig Wing and Wild Dog, as they had ever been true friends to me. In fact Wild Dog had become nearly a father to me.

The time wore on until finally spring came and the birds began to sing and the spring rains came and made the green grass grow. The water ran over low places and washed sand and dirt to smooth plains. Little Chig Wing and I would wander around. I had made her some corn stock horses like I made at home, only they were made out of a punk we got out of old rotten logs and I put tails in them made of horse hair and ears of buckskin. She thought they were something grand and showed them to the chief and her mother and they just went wild over them.

I had, by this time, got so I could understand nearly every thing they said but I could talk but little of their language. They talked of my great ability and that I should have little Chig W T ing for my squaw when we got to the right age and that they would see that I was a chief of their great nation and they would subdue the great pale-face people for I would understand how to go after them to win out.

This news went out to other Indian nations and they were wild to see what kind of a creature I was.

They came hundreds of miles to see me and they were like my captors, taking hold of my hands and feet and looking at them with wide open eyes and chattering all the time about them. They looked at the corn stock horses so much that I thought they would wear them out. Finally they wanted to trade for one so they could take it back with them and show their people what the little pale-face they had captive had made. He offered the best horse they had with them for one of those corn stock horses. The chief knew that I could make plenty more so he traded with him and gave the horse to me. You can imagine I was awfully proud to think I had a horse of my own and I got it for a corn stock horse.

Finally those Indians who made the trade went back to their tribe and showed what they had and told them that I had made it. It set them wild to see me too in order to see what kind of a creature I was. They came in great mobs to look at me and to take hold of my hands and feet. I think they thought I was a great curiosity as they were determined to trade the chief out of me. They were so impressed with me they dickered a long time to get me away from the chief but he refused everything they offered. Finally they offered 20 head of horses, then 25 head and that was refused ; then 50 head and that was also refused ; then they offered 100 head of the best horses they had.

This the old chief looked on as a big price for a little pale face like me and he told them he would consider that offer a few days and let them know what he would do about it. They went back thinking that they had about made the deal.

But after they had gone little Chig Wing and her mother got after the chief and told him that he should never make such a trade as that. He told them that he had no idea of accepting their offer; that he told them he would consider it just to get rid of them. He said further that they did not have enough horses to get me away from little Chig Wing. That pleased little Chig Wing and her mother so much they both hugged and kissed him repeatedly and there was joy in the camp and Wild Dog was more than overjoyed. He told me that if the chief had traded me off he would have gone and stole me back again.

Everything now went smoothly along. Little Chig Wing and I went out nearly every day — most of the time alone. We waded the beaches and found lots of pretty rocks of many different colors and shapes. We came to a place one day where the surface was very smooth and pretty solid. I had before made pictures in such places and as I was pretty good at drawing pictures in sandy places, I went to work and drew a large turkey. It was very large and I drew the feathers on it nearly to perfection. I placed some nice little colored rocks in its head for eyes. This set little Chig Wing wild with delight. I drew a nice stripped zebra, then put in nice rocks for his eyes. They were just the right size and color to show off nicely. She thought it was a wonder and wanted to know if I had always made such things as nice as that. I then drew a large male buffalo with enormous horns and placed large eyes in the proper places out of my supply of rocks. I had just the right size and color to look good. He was looking away off at some object as though he was enraged. She thought that beat everything. She had seen many buffaloes running the plains. When we went home to camp little Chig Wing told her mother and the old chief about what I had done on the beach. They just laughed at her and told her in their dull way that she and I were going crazy and that they would keep us at the camp after this.

"No," she said, "come and go with us and see; then you will know what you are laughing about."

The old chief and his wife took us, little Chig Wing leading the way. With great anxiety she wanted to see the sights again as bad as if she had only heard of these great things. You never saw such wonderfully surprised creatures when they put their eyes on those things I had drawn in the sand. They stood aad looked in amazement at the drawings and then at me as if they expecteed me to take wings and fly away.

They were surely overcome and did not know what to think or what to do. It seemed they were actually afraid of me. For a time they looked those drawings all over and over as if they were quite sure they were going to come to life.

Finally they got through looking them over and concluded to go back to camp. They talked about what a wonder I was anyhow. When we got back to the camp and all the Indians who were out hunting had returned, the chief called them all together in a great pow-wow. He told them of the great things I had done that day and what he expected of me in the future. In his remarks he made the statement that they had gotten the brains of the pale-face nation in their own hands as he had shown his ability very strongly that day, proving him to be one of the greatest of the pale-face race.

"When I die," he said, "we will make him chief of our tribe and then we will capture the whole of the pale-face nation and make them all of our own kind and the pale-face nation will all be our people. This little fellow has shown to me to be extra smart."

Most of the party got terribly fidgety before the chief got through with his remarks. They wanted to go and look at the great things I had accomplished. Finally the chief, after concluding his remarks, led them down to where the turkey, zebra and buffalo were drawn in the sand. They were all spell bound at the sight of those mud pictures. They had never seen anything of the kind before and they could not comprehend it. Lots of them began to mistrust at once that I was a specimen of the great Spirit and the chief had hard work to control them.

Finally Wild Dog took me up straddle of his neck and ran around with me among the other Indians. They all had to look at my hands and jabber about what those hands had done that day. Lots of them had me straddle their necks until I was worn out. They were so overjoyed at my ability that they all agreed with the chief that they had a great prize in me.

The news spread to the other nations and they came from far and near to see the great wonders I had made and tried in every way to induce the chief to trade me to them. But he said that they did not have enough horses to buy me from little Chig Wing.

There was an old Indian woman who came one day to see those great miracles I had made. She asked me all about where I had seen the big bird that I could make one in the sand so nice. She told me of a large bird that her parents of long ago had told her about that carried off one of their children and that it could run faster than any of their horses with the child in its bill. She showed me how much bigger it was than the turkey according to her ideas of that bird. It must have weighed 700 or 800 pounds. I, of course, was terribly interested in that big bird carrying off their child and I got her to show me as best she could, how much bigger this bird was than the turkey. She took great pains in showing me all she could as I told her that I wanted to make one like I had the turkey. I found out also that the monster bird had no feathers, but a wooly or long down covering. This old woman had never seen one of those large birds but she said that she had this story from her parents. She was also told that the bird was killed in its nest where it had five young ones feeding on a fawn. They found the bones of the little fellow besides the nest, as well as all kinds of bones. The birds had to be fed by the old ones until they were great big things and long after they left the nest. She said that after the old bird and young ones were killed there never was any more seen and they supposeed that those two were all that were left living at that time and the male bird was never discovered. It was supposed by the people that he was very shy and when he found that his mate and little ones were gone that he emigrated to parts unknown. They never saw nor heard of those large birds any more.