Indian Treatment of CaptivesTaken from p. 45 of Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler, by Rev. Harvey Hostetler, D.D., 1912. This portion was prepared by William F. Hochstetler.
There has been much misapprehension of the treatment of their captives by the Indians, and many have thought it strange that the captives could be satisfied with their Indian associations. A writer in the Pennsylvania Gazette of July 25, 1765, speaking of the kindness of the Indians toward their prisoners, says: “Cruel and unmerciful as they are, by habit and long example in war, yet whenever they come to give way to the native dictates of humanity, they exercise virtues which Christians need not blush to imitate. When they once determine to give life, they give everything with it, which in their apprehension, belongs with it.
“Among those who had lived long with the Indians it is not expected that any marks of joy would appear on being restored to their parents or relatives. Having been accustomed to look upon the Indians as the only connections they had, and having been tenderly treated by them and speaking their language, it is no wonder they considered their new fate in the light of a captivity and parted from the savages in tears.”
I have a comment to make about all these references to Indians as savages -- will save that for tomorrow as I'm in a bit of a rush today.
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