Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1880 — A Shocking Story. [ARTICLE]

A Shocking Story.

Alamosa, Col. Jan. 8. Tne excitement prevailing over the Ute trouble in Colorado has been somewhat increased lately by a letter published from Mrs. N. C. Meeker, disclosing the fact that each and all of the women who were held as captives after the massacre at White river suffered the violation of their persons through fear of worse treatment at the hands of these red devils. The evidence was given to the commission by tbe women in their examination on their release from captivity, while in the Gunnison country. It was first distinctly understood by them that this evidence of tneir mistreatment Bhould be used only by the commission in their efforts to establish the guilt of the Indians who had perpetrated the outrage. Each and all of the captives begged that this phase of their horrible misfortune should not do given to the public. It seems to have been in their situation as captives a choice between death or submitting to the hellish desires of their captors. The examination further discloses that they were permitted, as the last alternative, with the exception of Mrs. Meeker, to choose from among the chiefs who should cohabit with them during the terrible suspense which iheir captivity must have been, following the massacre at the agency. This evidence was confined to the commissionj among whose records it has lain dormant awaiting the tardy channels of justice from the Department of the Interior until the horrible suspicion was verified by the appearance in print of Mrs. Meeker’s letter. The Indians, in speaking of the ravishing of the women subsequently, seemed to regard the act as in perfect keeping with the style of warfare in which they are food of indulging. It is known that Peronnnes took Josephine Meeker, and came very near having a personal encounter with Douglass concerning his selection. An Uncompahgre Ute took Mrs. Price, who was afterward turned over to Johnson; Douglass says that no one took Mrs. Meekor, as sfie was too old, and he thought she ought uot to be running around loose, without being cared for, so he took ter.