The Bedford Gazette

From the Macoupin (Ill.) Statesman.

Eighteen Years a Captive among the Indians.

We were visited, a few days ago, by a man by the name of Joseph Barney, who says that he is in search of a son, whom he supposes to live somewhere near Alton. He made his escape, on the 5th of May last, from the Flat Head Indians, near the Flat Head river, in Oregon. He stated that he has been with this tribe of Indians eighteen years. We listened for some length of time to his history, many portions of which are truly thrilling. He was taken prisoner in 1835, on the upper Missouri river, while in the employ of a fur company. He is a native of France, and speaks English poorly: but we give what he communicated to us as nearly as possible. He was with a man by the name of John Robertson, both of whom were captured. They attempted to defend themselves, and killed two of the Indians, but they were overpowered—there being twenty-five Indians to contend with. They were secured hand and foot, and placed on ponies, and started to the northward, traveled five weeks, when they came to the hunting ground of the tribe, where they were given up to the chief, who shook hands with them, and manifested much joy at their capture. They were unbound and confined in a hut, where they were fed, but not allowed to escape. The chief offered them his two daughters if they would marry and remain with the tribe. Finding escape utterly impossible for the time, the terms were accepted, and the marriage took place. The fruits of this marriage were two children, both of which are still living, a daughter sixteen, and a son fourteen, both of which he left with the tribe.—Two years ago, Robertson attempted to escape, but was retaken, scalped, and burned alive, leaving three children with the tribe. Seven years ago, Barney attempted to escape, but was recaptured and would have been put to death but for the interposition of his wife, who was the daughter of the chief. During the time of his captivity, Barney states, that he was engaged with his tribe in three battles—two with the Black Feet, and one with a tribe the name of which we do not know—in one of which he says over seventy Black Feet were killed. The most of the time of his captivity he lived on the head of the Columbia river, and at times as far up as the head of Flat Head river. During this eighteen years, he saw neither salt, bread, potatoes, coffee, tea, or anything of the kind, living upon meat of moose, deer, skunk, rattlesnake, turkey, prairie hens, &c. At the time he made his escape he was near Lake Superior about sixty miles from a trading post of the American Fur Company. The chief (his father-in-law) was a doctor, and on the 15th of May left, and while he was gone, Barney succeeded in making all the Indians dead drunk with the whiskey which he had just received, giving one and a half pint to each Indian. After they were asleep, he took his bow and arrow, tomahawk, pipe, two and a half pounds of tobacco, flint and steel, and two pounds of meat, being all there was in the hut. He started and traveled all night, having his dog along: the next morning he killed his dog, to prevent his returning to give a clue to his trace. About 11 o'clock the same day, when about thirty-five miles, was overhauled by his father-in-law's (the chief's) dog which he killed with his bow and arrow, and carried the carcass away from the path and concealed himself in the brush: while he was thus concealed the chief muttered to himself, in his language—"I will pass this mountain, and at the foot of it I will take to the left hand." Over hearing this, Barney availed himself of this information. Following the chief to the mountain, he found, sure enough, that he had taken the left hand road, which he ascertained by the tracks of his pony. He continued his journey to the east until about two hours before daybreak on the next morning, when he sat down, fatigued and hungry; after daylight he killed a rattlesnake eight feet four inches in length, which he roasted and ate for breakfast. He kept on in the same direction, when about five o'clock he was overhauled by his brother-in-law's dog: he killed it immediately and passed on. On the next day, about five o'clock he was overhauled by another dog belonging to the tribe, which he despatched in the same manner as the others: after which he proceeded without any molestation, travelling four days without daring to build a fire only in day time, He was seven weeks travelling before he came to any tribe of Indians, during which time he had spent one week in despair, not travelling or expecting ever to reach a habitation of whites.

At the end of the above time he came to a tribe which he calls the Tomahawks. He was kindly treated by them. For fear of being taken again, he assured them that he belonged to the Flat Heads, and was in search of two crazy Indians who had made their escape. After asking some questions in English concerning the "crazy Indians," he departed, and after nine miles' travel, came to the Missouri river. He made a raft of logs and crossed over. Travelling due east, he continued his journey nine weeks before he arrived at White Lake, in Minnesota, during all of which time he had subsisted upon game, which he killed with his bow and arrow. He remained there three days, and sold his accoutrements for clothing, and then made his way for this State. He arrived here in the cars.

Barney is a man of considerable intelligence, and seems to have a vivid recollection of nearly all that passed during his captivity. He seems familiar with Indian life, and gives many of their signs for determining courses, cures for diseases, &c. He would like to see his children again, but would rather forego the pleasure than to go back and remain with the tribe. He was married soon after he came to this country, and lived in Otsego county, New York, where his wife died, after which he was employed by the Fur Company. He is sixty-three years old, but still seems active and hardy. He describes the country where he has been as being the handsomest he ever saw. Truly, he has "seen the elephant," and if his story is correct, he can tell of more trials, tribulations, and adventures than any one now living.