IAFREMON-L Archives

From: Walter Farwell <>
Subject: George W. Stephens and the Plum Creek Massacre
Date: Fri, 11 May 2001 13:09:49 -0600

Posted on: Fremont Co. Ia Queries
Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/Ia/Fremont/10259

Surname: Stephens, Fletcher, Morton, Lawton, Rowe, Fleck, Bobbitt, Curran,
Moomaw
-------------------------

GEORGE W. STEPHENS (Aug. 27, 1844 - May 20, 1929), son of John and Mary
Stephens of New Hope township, Union co., Iowa in 1860, and in 1870 of
Sidney township, Fremont co., Iowa--married--Mrs. Nancy Jane (Fletcher)
Morton on November 19, l865 in Fremont county, Iowa. He was a brother of
Sarah Stevens who married Peter Kryger on Feb. 8, l873 in Fremont county,
Iowa.

Children:
1. Eveline S., b. Aug. 1866 in Fremont county - d. Oct. 27, l942; md. William
L. Lawton, b. Jan. 1861 -d. Apr. 13, l950. They are buried in Jefferson,
Iowa.
2. Lilly R., b. May 12, l870 in Sidney, Iowa -d. Oct. 17, l907; md. Hiram
S. Rowe (1862-1934); md. on July 12, l890 in Greene county, Iowa. Son of
Jacob and Lavina (Gaylor) Rowe. Burial at Junction township cemetery, Greene
co.
3. James Edmund, b. May 1875 in Monona county, Iowa - d. 1956; md. Edith
May Fleck on July 4, l899 in Greene county, Iowa. Buried at Junction township
cemetery.

FREMONT COUNTY HERALD. February 25, l910. "LADY CAPTURED BY INDIANS WAS
AT THAT TIME A SIDNEY WOMAN".--Seldom has an article appeared in the Herald
that has attracted more attention that the one in our last issue with reference
to the lady whose husband was killed by the Indians at Plum creek in Nebraska
way back in 1864.

No sooner were the papers in the postoffice than old-time citizens began
to call at the office to impart the desired information; Uncle Alf Bobbitt,
who has been here always and who remembers distinctly everything of importance
that has transpired during all that time--and who, by the way, never misses
an opportunity to do the Herald a good turn--called over the phone to tell
us the story; while just as soon as the return mail could bring a reply
comes an account of the affair from Charles Daniel Rowe who now lives at
Woodward, Okla.

The woman in question is now Mrs. Nan Stephens who lives with her husband
on a fine farm near Jefferson, Iowa. She is a sister of Hiram and Jim Fletcher
and also of Mrs. Emma Curran and of the late Mrs. J.F. Moomaw and was in
Sidney at the time of the death and burial of the latter.

At the time the tragedy occurred she was the wife of Thomas J. Morton who
in partnership with her brother, William Fletcher, owned and operated a
freighting outfit hauling government supplies from Missouri river points
across the plains to the the then unexplored west. Mrs. Morton, a courageous
woman, insisted on accompanying her husband on these trips which required
weeks and sometimes months in going and coming. On the ill-fated morning
in question while the freighters were camped along Plum creek they were
surprised by a band of hostile Indians under the leadership of Big Crow
and the entire crew of 11 men were massacred, the train looted of everything
of value and the horses driven off to the Indian camp, many miles away.

After being compelled to stand helplessly by and witness the murder of
her husband, a brother and nine other men, Mrs. Morton was made captive,
strapped to the back of a pony and traveled into camp where she remained
prisoner for more than six months. The government soon learned of her plight
and set about to devise means for effecting her capture (sic.; Release?)
Through their agents and Indian traders the government conferred with the
chief and agreed upon a price to be paid for the unfortunate woman. Twice
the ranson was paid and accepted and the woman given her freedom. But on
both occasions Indian treachery asserted itself, the rescuing party was
pursued when but a few miles from camp and their capture retaken, the chief
having learned that by retaining possession of her he had a veritable gold
mine.

Finally one of the agents set his wits at work against the cunning of the
Indians and won out. Having agreed upon a price he started out upon his
journey to bring the woman back to civilization. He took with him a number
of good horses which he left in pairs at stated intervals, shortening the
distance between posts as he neared the reservation. With the woman in
his possession he started on his mad race for safety. Sure enough, as was
expected, the Indians assumed the same tactics and went in pursuit. But
the government man and his protege managed to gain the first post where
the fresh mounts were stationed and on these began to outdistance their
pursuers, whose ponies were lagging, and by continuing these tactics made
successful scape, though they hardly paused except to change horses until
the entire distance of 400 miles was covered.

Mrs. Stephens says that she was treated with all kindness and consideration
at the hands of her captors, who showed no inclination to harm her in any
way but gave her the best that was to be had after the manner of Indian
living, they holding her only as a source of revenue from the government.
However, at best it is scarcely an experience one would care to undergo
a second time.

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