The Capture And Escape; Or, Life Among The Sioux. - And - Narrative Of My Captivity Among The Sioux

SARAH L. AND FANNY KELLY LARIMER

Publication: Claxton, Remson & Haffelfinger, 1870, and Wilstach, Baldwin & Co, Printers, 1871, Philadelphia and Hartford, 1870 & 1871

First Editions. First Printings. Original Cloth. xii, 252pp. and x, 285pp. Both with Frontispiece Portraits and Illustrations. On July 12, 1864, at Little Box Elder Creek, 200 Sioux Indians swept down on a small emigrant train, professing friendship, then killing several members of the party, and capturing Fanny Kelly and Sarah Larimer, and 2 children. We offer, in combination, their separate and personal accounts of their captivities. Sarah was more fortunate than Fanny, in that on the second night after their capture, Sarah was able to slip away, with her 8 year old son. After wandering for 4 days Sarah came upon the Deer Creek Station where they were reunited with her husband, William. On the first night Fanny encouraged her adopted child, Mary, to slip off the horse and follow the trail back. Fanny then tried the same, but was quickly caught, and the Indians noticed the absence of Mary. Mary was found killed the next day on the trail. The second night, when Sarah escaped, Fanny was tied-up due to her previous escape attempt. Fanny ultimately endured almost 5 months of captivity; often with little food & water, no blanket, or shelter. She was with the Indians when 2200 soldiers commanded by General Alfred Sully battled 3000 Indians at Killdeer Mountain, Dakota Territory. On December 9 Fanny was brought in sad condition to Fort Sully, where she remained for the next 2 months in the fort hospital. It's worth noting that Fanny Kelly's book includes "A Brief Account of General Sully's Indian Expedition in 1864, Bearing Upon Events in My Captivity", and is the first state of the first edition. Condition: Sarah's book shows considerable general soiling and flecking to cloth, some darkening to the spine, the front inner hinge is cracked but holding tight, and 1" of the fore-edge of the rear endpaper is missing. Fanny's book shows considerable rubbing, chipping to spine ends, wear to corners and edges, a 1' water spot on front cover, and some light scattered foxing. Accordingly, good-very good copies of these scarce-rare works, both in original cloth bindings, and protected in a custom slipcase, housing both copies with gilt-stamped, leather label on spine. Sioux captivities were uncommon, and 2 accounts of the same tragic capture is historically unique, and accordingly, our reason for offering these works together.

Inventory Number: 53243