American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-04-28

who ave now enjoying the milk and honey Of
the land, but which ought to be enrolled among
he deeds OF Theban and Spartan valor.
The following sketch describes one of the most
chlyalfIc exploits the annals of our country can
produce.
In the year 1749, John Kiburn, the hero of the
following story came to Walpoe, N II. The
large and fertile meadows at the mouth Of Cold
River, slightly covered with butternui and elm,
presented an inviting prospect the new Settlers
and an easy harvest TO the hand of cultivation.
Here he built log hut, and for tno years lived in
the solitude of the forest without any inercou Sc
with friend or foe. He often sought opportunities
TO cultivate the friendship Of the Indians but on
every occasion they studiously avoided him. DID,
II ring this time his life was one continual scene Of
danger and hardship, constantly exposed to the
inclemepcIes OF the weather and the secret attacks
of an insidious foe. And what rendered his situa-
ton still more uncomfortable, he obliged to
camp out at different places each night, the cold
earth his b=d," with bear skin for covering, and
cartridge box tor his pillow in rider avoid the
midnight proving OF the savages, who we're
watching in concealmeDt for an opportun y to
strike the deadly blow and who often paid their
nocturnal visits at his dwell Hing and took from him
such articles as might contribute to their conyes
nlence or the qualification of their wanton dispose.
ton. Very dfferen, is the situation of tho.e. who
now cultivate the same soil planting at their leisure
the luxurlant corn ard reaprg III and affuence
the fruits of their labors.
| In 1851, Col. Benjamin Bellows Obtained the
charter of Wspole, and began settlement on
land about mile south of Kilbun's, the site now
occupied by The out buildings OF T. Bellows, ESQ.
There was fort also at Chsrlestown, then called
Number Four. This addition to the strength OF
the while settlers induced the 1ndias to treat them
with more respect. About this time company
came down The river, landed their boats above the
falls, and invited Kilburn to trade with them. He
visited their boats; bought some skins and made
some presents of HIns flour, and fish hooks. From
this time the Indians continued TO hunt and en-
camp about the neighborhood and the report Of
heir guns and the smoke Of their wigwams were
mingled with the familiar occurrences of life.
The affairs Of the settlers continued to prosper
1 ill 1883, when The first alarming incident occur-
red to disturb the happiness and security of the
whites. Two men by The names Of Twitchell and
Flint, who had gone back TO the hills about mile
east to procure ash timber for oars, were shot
by the Indians one OF them scaped, the 9th.
er they cut open and took out his heart, cut it ia
pieces and laid it on his breast
| This the first christian blood split in Wal.
pole. Their bndies buried near where they
found and ridge of land the west side Of the
road, about two miles north OF Walpoe village
towards d ewyiIe, points the spot hallowed by
the remains OF the first victims of Indian massacre.
/ i he solemn impression this occurrence made upon
the minds OF the new settlers not 500" effaced.
II is said, the guardian spirit OF Twit hell conlinus
ed to hover over his friends warning them OF he
wiles and hostile Intentions of the Ind ans, as long
as his murderers were permitted 10 1--we. re-
markable rock in Connecticut river, where he used
TO fish with never failing success was for long
time held IN religious vetr atinn; and to this day
such is The propitious iffuence of the presiding
spirit that few of the angling votaries who come
to worship the " Twitcheil Rock return With
out taking from the limpd stream gene rous FRY.
The massacre of Twitchel and Flint was he
first harbinger of the rupture Of the negotiations
for peace between England and France and the
| commencement of those horrid scenes of Indian
barbsrity that ensued
| In the spring Of 1855, an Indian by the name OF
Philip. who had acquired just English enough to be
understood, visited Kilburn's house, pretending to
be on hunting excursion, in want Of provisions.
He was treated with kindness and furnished With
every thing he wanted, such as aints, -four, &c.
Soon alter he gone 1t was asccrtained that the
| same Indian had visited all the settlements on
Connecticut River about che same time, and with
the same plausible pretentions OF hunting Kill
burn who had already learned little of the Indian
illnesses suspected, it proved, that this Philip was
a wolf in sleeps clothing. Not long after the fol.
lowing intelligence was communicated to all the
forts by friendly Indian sent by General Shirley,
from Albany He stated that four or Ave hundred
Indians collecting in Canada, whose object it
was TO butcher the whole white population on Con.
necticu, River. Judge then OF the feelings of few
white settlers when they learned the impending
danger To desert their soil, cattle and crops Of
grain, would be leaving their all, and to contend
with the countless savages of the Canadian regions
was hopeless resort. Blu: accustomed to all the
hardships and dangers Of life, they boldly resolved
to defend themselves or die in the cause. Kburn
and his men now strengthened their defence with
such tortihcaiions as their rude implements would
allow. which consisted in surrounding their haba-
ton with pasado of stakes stuck into the ground.