Stolen By The Indians At The Age Of Six

Pamela Elizabeth Barlow came into this world at a time of mourning and reflection in Nauvoo as the Barlows’ good friend and Prophet, Joseph Smith, had just been martyred three months previous. Then, just as Pamela turned 4 years old, her family was forced out of their home and she had to cross the plains with them to the Salt Lake Valley. They stayed their first winter in Salt Lake in the old Pioneer Fort where Pioneer Park is now. Soon after, they were one of the first families to move to West Bountiful. There were quite a number of Indians in that area. Pamela said that she would look out from their farm and count as many as 50 teepees. The Barlows treated the Indians kindly and gave freely of their supplies. 

When Pamela was six years old she was stolen by the Indians. She was about a mile from home, following her eight year-old brother down a path surrounded by a tall forest of sunflowers, when she was suddenly swooped up by several Indians. They quickly covered the kicking and screaming young girl with a blanket and sped off with her on their horses.

Her brother, Israel Jr., jumped into the tall sunflowers, bent low, and ran like the wind towards home. He found his father and through the tears told him what had happened to his sister. Israel Barlow quickly gathered a few men and they were soon off at full gallop to rescue the little girl. They frantically searched the valleys and trails and then finally three hours later they found the band of Indians along the bench, toward the mountain. Pamela was still wrapped under the blanket and held tightly by one of the Indians who wanted to raise her as his squaw. They immediately recognized Israel Barlow and turned the young girl over to him, apologizing and saying that they wouldn’t have taken her if they had know she was his. Pamela cried and sobbed with gratitude as she sprang into her father’s arms. She told him that she thought that she would never be able to see him again. There was a joyful reunion back at the Barlow household as Pamela was reunited with her family that evening.

FamilySearch.org Autobiography of Elizabeth Haven