Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. II

15

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1844-1845

indians had killed my people, that they were yet at the house, and if I went back they would kill me too, and told me to stop crying. I then went and passed the night at his house, but did not sleep. Ques. What occurred the next day? Ans. I wished to go back, but he would not let me. Ques. What did he say? Ans. That I had better not speak at all, as we, the indians, were poor people, and the white men would n,Jt believe me. Ques. What did he say when you took away the axe, after the murder? Ans. That the wild indians had killed my people, but as soon as foe grass was good he would take me to the Creek nation. Ques. How long have you been the wife of Barton? Ans. He first married Solygay, after a time he wanted me but I refused as Solygay was my mother's sister, and I thought him then a bad man, he has been my husband a little more than one Did he ever ask you to go to his house to live with him? Ever since we married, but I was fearful and refused. Did he supply you with corn and meat? He gave us nothing. Ques. How did you get corn and Ans. By working for Beden Stroud. Ques. Was he ever angry when other men went to your house? year. Ques. Ans. Ques. Ans. meat? Ans. He was, and cursed me about it, and when we would give auy one to eat he would be more angry, and afterwards, some- times, whip us. Ques. Where do you wish to go? Ans. When the wounded girl gds well I wish to go to my mother; until then I wish to remain here at the council ground. I have a child by a negro, which the father wishes to get from me, if he gets it in possession it will become a slave. She was 'informed by Maj Western that she need have no fear for herself or children; that they should be protected and that she might remain here in safety: that the whole white na- tion, if necessary, would protect her from harm. Maj Western then gave a short talk to the Indians present, telling them that they and all indians were free from suspicion of any participation in the murder, that the white man was a bad man, that he would be punished by the laws of our country,

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