Ebook Biography of Frances Slocum

Another visit to Indiana to confer with her Indian descendants, learn their traditions, and examine relics which once belonged to her, was found necessary. The visit was made in June, 1890, and several days were pleasantly and profitably spent among the remnants of the Great Miami tribe in the upper valley of the Wabash, when I returned with more valuable and interesting information.

Members of the Slocum family, when apprised of the undertaking, at once evinced a deep interest in the work, and promptly placed whatever information they possessed relating to Frances, at my disposal. Her Indian descendants, when informed of what was contemplated, also became enthusiastic over the enterprize, and freely imparted what they remembered of the white woman, whose memory they seem to cherish with a warmth of affection that is remarkable.

To the following gentlemen I desire to return my acknowledgments for valuable information and assistance: Mr. George Slocum Bennett, Rev. Horace Edwin Hajden, and Dr. F. C. Johnson, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Dr. Charles E. Slocum, Defiance, Ohio; Mr. James Slocum, Brownsville, Pa.; Hon. Horace P. Biddle, Logansport, Indiana; J. B. Fulwiler, Esq., and W. W. Lockwood, Esq., Peru, Indiana; Rev. Peter Bendy and Mr. Gabriel Godfroy, Reserve, Indiana. A bibliography of the authorities consulted is also given at the close of the volume.

There is nothing in the annals of Indian history more pathetic and impressive than the story of the captivity, life, wanderings and death of Frances Slocum; and in her remarkable history there is much to interest the ethnologist, because of the peculiar developments which followed her association with the Indians, the loss of her mother tongue, and the tenacity with which she clung to the strange people with whom her lot was cast.

In the preparation of this book no claims are made of absolute accuracy or literary polish. It has proved a laborious task to arrange the narrative, on account of the many contradictory details, in something like consecutive order; and if I have succeeded in placing new and valuable matter within easy reach of those who are interested in the melancholy story, I will feel that my labor of love has not been wholly in vain.