Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-10-09
II thorough going democrat ; lately elected
Member of Congress.
INDIAN MANNERS &c

fio'n tie Gainesville Erbress Of September 10 !
person named Ben iamin Powell, of about as
years oi age, passed through this last week on
ms return from Indian slavery, after an absence
from his friends (such as survive) Of nearly years
He appears To be man of truth, and considerably
Intelligent His simple but aft. citing narration ex.
cited lively interest in his behalf in the feelings of
several citizens in this place they a,ministeredto
his necessities, by furnishing him with peeuniary
AM, suiticient to defiay his expences to Daytoa,
where he expects to find Of his surviving
friends In confirmation of his interesting story he
exhibited q hand nearly burnt off, and showed sp
wards OF twenty scars his body, most of which
were evidently made with a tcmahswk. Accoan-
ranicd with such evidence, his statements gained
him cre,lenee OF which statements the following
is brief sketch
BeI amin Powell, in the year 1903, removed
from kentucky to the upper fork of Sandusky riy-
er, aud settled on tract Of land belonging TO Coin
mel Patterson. The surrounding country was
Then wilderness, except that Powell had one
neighbour who lived 1T short distance from Linn
Po"cll had wife and children his neie hbour had
family also. They had frequent intercourse with
The Indians, who we're apparently very civil and
irienhy Tor upwards OF years after their settle
mcttin that part oit!Ie country. Seem after the
battle OF Tippeeanor, lof which Powell a,d his
oiShbour had not heard a sylIaIe,) to wit on the
Aii day OF October, 1871, about twilight in the e.
yening, The cabin OF Powell was attacked by a
hefnOer Of lEdians. His y lie and eldest son were
shot dead. and the other two Children were Killed
with q tcinahawk Powell himself was then shot
through the body, and then tomahawked in = m $,
shocking manner, the Indians bs,si.g given him b.
tween - and so wourds and surprising him dead
stay ed their bntchcring hand aud left him. Pow.
els neighbour AZ all his family were killed at the
same tune. Powell was left in that dreadful stu.
alton until moi1 &, enduring the most cxauisite
pains ct body from lis numerous wounds his dis.
tres IT mind no pen describe tse dsrsnrs, of
'le rglt Was rendered ttn-folh more horrible by
The surrounding scene while the " king Of terrorso
Ia his mcst terrific FORM" was staring him in tie
face. AS soon rs IT was light, he saw an Indian ap
proaching him, when he recognized to b. an old
acquaintance, Shawnee chief, named the Ii,Ie
CUi,fdiu. Pow ell brs ught the savage tn put m
end TO his D'scIy. Tbs Little Captaia gszeI ri
hum awhile, md saul, "no, IN, tie Grem Sbirit
'front.' ieIme KIN mt" He tie dressed lis wouuJs
telling him WIS the Prophets orders n,t T., kGl
ay whom t'c grta; spirit wsuld not 1t d., (mea-
n.g, or ais, HAT where the life Of victim wa,
pr served rs ifif were By miracle, as was tie
csG ofP1weli, il tinaeI tlatit was the pleasure
81 The Great Spi u that such person should Ive)
Powell thinks a. Indians are excellent surgsOns--
tey cured iis wounds With The incest skill npi most
asst 'shing rapiduy. although nifst of the 5ons of
his LETT high was taken out darior the cure.
rs som practicable, Powell was ca RED 10
the ON Md7puee l04gu situated arut 20 miles f.. M
LAKE Erie tleie, after hc Lal cuntiastd shout
moons, ne got acquainted with the lannon's Bird he
saw his thumb nails twted m bv lie Indinus in
eudeavournr tC IN X hifa disclose gone plot wl;eh
they suspected Alter Bird had ? { away and was
brought tack, Powell heard him ali dyed 10 three
dGgs' b1GHDg, ard AL the White prisoners i, N,
tswn were cOTp'.led 10 be Witnesses OF the dis.
tressts scene. Biyr's hand ass burnt on aud one
olhis arms suped 10 tle bone; when, pIq lien
lipiy, Scotchman purchased his lie for gallon of
Ium, rs stated ~ Bird's story.
Powell remained with the savages upwartls or4
years; he was a stove to the Liffie Cabf1Jp, WIN
repeatedly threa'ened him with certain Geaih
siond he auemptIo unke b,s escape, AID who al
50 rectooed bsse l. among h's Topics OF victory,