On Monday, July 5, 1954, you published  "An Indian Story" from the Wayne County Historical Society scrapbook. I enjoyed it very much, but it is somewhat different from the story told by my father, the Lawrence P. Burkett,  whose mother was a daughter of the Benson's who helped capture and care for a lone Indian woman.

I believe one of the last Indians in Wayne County was named Lydia Gundy. She was captured near my grandparent's old home, northwest of Zenith by my great grandfather Henson and others.

Several times barefoot tracks had been seen in the light snow and evidences of bonfires were found.  As winter was coming on, great grand father Henson feared the Indian would die of cold and hunger. At the time of the first heavy snowfall a posse was formed under his leadership, and he gave orders that the Indian was not to be harmed in any way, as she had probably been lost from her tribe. The posse consisted of men and boys, some on horseback and  some on foot to keep the family dogs under control.

She would run in circles, back track, and walk fallen trees to flee from what she thought was certain death.  At last they found her, hiding behind a fallen tree under some growing bushes, very tired and very scared.

Great grandfather offered his hand, and in some way made her understand they meant her no harm. They coaxed her to go with them, where she was given food, clothing and a home.

After the passing of great grandfather and great grandmother, Lydia lived with other members of the family.  She was so kind and helpful. She cared for the sick, the mothers and their young babies, as well as the older children.

She loved to roam alone in the dense forests, and would be gone for hours at a time,  often so long that the Hensons and Burkett families would say "Lydia is gone for sure this time", but just at dark she would return. Where she wandered no one knew, but it was thought she hoped to find some other lost Indians.

She also learned to cook and helped with knitting, spinning and weaving of the "linsey" which was worn in those days.

When she knew she was going to "The (treat White Father" she begged to be taken to the woods (The Big Woods) to die, but she was cared by her adopted family.

She was buried in the Henson cemetery northwest of Zenith and very near the Henson homestead.  When my  father and mother were unable to go to the cemetery they would send my sister, Emma, and me,  and many were the beautiful flowers placed on Lydia's grave by two small girls who felt so proud and honored to be allowed to do this.

Unless it has been changed the past 3 years, that is the only way to locate her grave. I would be glad to contribute to a fund to provide a better marker for her grave if someone would start action in this matter.

I do not recall great grandfather Henson's given name, but believe it was John.  There  are other descendants of this family in Wavne and Clay County. John Henson of Xenia is a great grandson, and Sadie Burkett,  the  widow of Phillip, my father's youngest brother.  She is in her late eighties and still lives near the old Henson home.

My father was always so proud of the story of Lydia Gundy that he told it over and over to his children and grandchildren. I hope this version of it will be of some help to the Historical Society of Wayne County.