White Squaw: The True Story of Jennie Wiley

by Arville Wheeler

THE TRUE STORY OF JENNIE WILEY—WHITE SQUAWThomas and Jennie Wiley lived on Walker’s Creek in Bland County, Virginia. In 1789 a small band of Indians attacked the Wiley cabin and killed Jennie’s three older children and her brother. Jennie was taken captive along with her baby son.Quickly the Indians and their captives moved westward into what is now Kentucky. Jennie’s only hope for herself and her child was to keep pace with her captors. The Indians moved northwest into the Big Sandy Valley of Kentucky. Unable to cross the flooded Ohio River, they retreated to a series of winter camps in present-day Carter, Lawrence and Johnson (Kentucky) Counties.With only a rock bluff for shelter Jennie spent the winter laboring as a slave. After almost a year in captivity Jennie escaped, miraculously evading pursuit as she made her way to a small settlement at Harman’s Station on John’s Creek where settlers helped her return to her husband.The author Arville Wheeler was inspired to write this book because his grandmother told him the story of Jennie Wiley when he was a child.

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Talon Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was written by my great grandfather so I have to give it 5 stars, haha. I did like it, though. He glosses over violence and rape due to his christian persuasion. He wanted to write an account that wasn't "pornographic" as he told us once. The reality of Jennie's experience was far more brutal, I'm sure.

Arville passed away in 1997 at the age of 97.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly this story has been romanticized, but what a story! Reads like Little House on the Prairie. It kept me interested but didn’t take too long to get through the details. A great quick read if you’re interested in this incredible story!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

was very interesting

[Nelda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the 1958 edition of the book from an old school library. It's a children's book, maybe 6th grade reading level, but fine for adult reading as well. It's a fast paced and interesting true story of a woman kidnapped by Indians. She went through a lot of harrowing adventures, and one wonders how she survived it. I'm sure some of the story is not true and parts filled in by the author's imagination though he states he only put in the facts that he could authenticate. Even if one relies on the family's own narrative (there was even one interview with a later child of Jennie Wiley's), it only takes a generation (or less!) for a story to become the stuff of imagination. Memory is fickle. What was even more fun was to do some research online to discover when she died and her later family life. I'd advise doing that. A Paintsville Herald article with another author and a retelling by the Bland County Historical Archives sheds a lot of light on the story. There's even Wikipedia, of course. Take all with a grain of salt, but the date she died and her and her husband's later children's names should be factual. There is a state park in her honor near one of the creek or river crossings where she made her escape. That might be a fun place to visit.

[Gary Detrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this three stars based on it is actually written for younger readers, although adults will find the story interesting and informing. It is well written and draws you in quickly and continues to keep you interested. I may be a bit bias, as Jenny Wiley is a distant Aunt on my mother's side. This version spares you the gory details of written in Harry M. Caudill's, The Saga of Jenny Wiley. There is a beautiful State Park bearing her name in Prestonsburg, KY. Many of my family have been there. I have not been there yet as of this review, but plan on making a trip soon. A quick enjoyable read.

[Misty A. Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, I couldn't put it down.

Although this was a simple read it kept my attention and was definitely a page turner. I didn't want to stop reading. Every chance I got to gobble up a few pages I did and read the whole thing in a day. When it got close to the end I wished it had given more time to speak of the journey back. The writer tells of his Grandmother sharing this true story, it would have been nice to more of that. Who was his Grandma and where did she hear the story?

[Melody A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible Bravery and Resourcefulness!

I decided to read this book based upon my 3 times great grandfather being Gordon Wiley from what would have been West Virginia and my curiosity whether this Jennie Wiley was a distant relative. I still don’t have an answer to that but I am filled with admiration for a colonial woman who survived with her wits and emotions firmly in check. I’d love to know more about her life after reuniting with her husband. Thank you for publishing this story!

[Lynne Downhour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing true story!

I liked the feeling of truth the book displayed. Not too much time spent on grief, hate, and on revenge. Learning about Indian ways and their total brutality and utter disregard for human life. Stand out moments: Jennie Wiley's intelligence, bravery, resourcefulness. Smarter than the Indians she beat them at their own game. Very well written and exciting, suspenseful ending.

[Laurie Kramer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written for young readers and not adults

The book was written in the style of a middle school story book. The native Americans were depicted in an unfavorable manner and talked in two or three word sentences such as "white squaw cook". The story line was good but could have written in a better style.

[Julia Lins · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Suspenseful Story!

Jenny Wiley was a brave, faithful woman of God, who survived a trial few people would have survived! Thankful for the Shawnee chief who saved her many times and tried to help her. I believe the story was true and showed that there are good and bad in all races.

[John T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems improbable

Some of the chapters provide interesting and factual observations about Indian practices. But the extensive vocabularies of both chiefs in English appears improbable. Then the escape based on a dream challenges our credulity. The reunion with her dog in the final chapter confirms our skepticism. I thought Indians ate dogs.

[Dusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Held my interest completely

I could hardly out this book down! So many interesting facts about Indian ways from cooking to tanning hides. Jennie Wiley was extremely brave and it is a miracle that she escaped. I implore you to read it for yourself.

[Sharon Goldston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was interested during the complete book. Fascinating!! Was sorry whit ended.

I loved how the book portrays her bravery, her relationship with God as well as her and Thomas' relationship. I would highly recommend this book!

[Shayna S Loker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good book. It is definitely written for a younger audience and I am sure she suffered many more atrocities than what was written. I would love to read a book about this same situation from an author for adults.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a "cannot put down" book. The courage that this poor woman showed was amazing. This story shows cultural differences that are hard to believe. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are interested in the history of our land!

[Rebecca Tackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!

This was a story that I also grew up hearing about. I was born and raised until 10 years old in this same area. There's also a Jennie Wiley park that I've visited several time.

[Brenda Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

This was truly a great read. Not only a true story of one of a white woman made captive by Indians but the tale between good and evil. The way this was written kept my attention I could not put it don until I found out the end.

[Judith Chesney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting! could not put the book down,

This true story will keep you on edge. I felt like I was living this woman's life every minute. Such bravery and courage, you feel anxious and yet defiant as you go through each hardship she indoors. An awesome read.

[ricky clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Excellent book from start to finish. Very well written
And illustrated. This true story of Jennie Wiley is an a
amazing testament to her courage and fortitude under truly horrendous circumstances. I think anyone
reading this will deadly agree .

[Diane Worthen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a story...

This was an amazing story! I've heard tales of ancestors that had been captured, but to actually read one of their stories was just enthralling. I read it all in one sitting. Thank you.

[Ann Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this True story... If you are a history buff, if you are interested in how the early settlers

Survived in the wilds in Tennessee, and Kentucky, and how a young woman managed to escaped her captors and find her way back to her husband.

[Larry Landau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbelievable!

I thought it very interesting, and, if true, learned much about Indian behavior. However, I doubt it all happened the way this story goes. But who am I to question it's authenticity? The dream at the end did not fit, in my opinion.

[sandra gatlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it would be better

The story was too cut and dried. Jennie didn't grieve much about all 4 of her children being killed. There was no emotion in the storytelling. I kept waiting for it to get better.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Gives details of how the Indians hunted, fished, cooked there meat and prepared the hides.

[Faye Dicken]

I was not able to find this book and it was not available at the library. I may try the newer edition in the future.

[KAREN T. MINER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historically correct!

Excellent job of writing
I felt as though I were there as Jennie learned how to be a white squaw. K.Miner

[Darlene Hetherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, easy reading, happy ending!

Amusing, easy reading, not to long, but a good story, true , looked forward to reading it in my spare time.

[Loren Papagoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. More for a middle schooler than an adult.

[Ann Shobert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and suspenseful

After all that Jennie went through during her captivity it was so refreshing to know that there was a good ending.

[Cheryl]

Enjoyed this book!

Great book! Ages from 12 to adult would learn a lot about the Shawnee and Cherokee Indians and how brave the heroine of the story had to be..