Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1833-05-25
Psblished every SATURDAY morning, -
y. =. HOLLOWAY.
Corner Of Main and WashinxtOn streets.
From the Western Monthly JHagsx"e'
4 SCENE IN THE OZARK AND
BLOODY GROUND"


BLOODY GROUND"
JAMES MORGAN, a native Of Mary
land, married at AN early age. and
soon after settled himself near Bry'
ants station, In the wiIds of kentucky
Like most pioneers ofthe west, he had
cut down the cane, built a cabin.
deadened the timber, enclosed a field
with a worm fence, and planted some
corn.
II was the 18th day Of August,
1872; the sun had descended, a plea
SAINT breeze was playing through the
surrounding wood, the tall cane bowed
under its gentle influence, and the
broad green leaves Of the corn proudly
waved IN the air; Morgan had seated
hlmselfin the door Ofthe cabin, with his
infant on his knee; his young and happy
wife had laid aside her spinning wheel,
and was busily engaged in preparing
the frugal meal. That afternoon,
Morgan had accidentally found bun
die Of letters, which he had finished
reading to his wife, before he took his
seat in the door. 1t was correspon-
dence in which they had acsnowl-
edged an early attachment for each
other, and the PeTusal left evident
traces Of JOY Oh the countenancc of
both; the little infant, too, seemed to-
partake Of its parents feelings, BY itsi
cherub smiles, It's playful humor, and
lnfantIle caresses. While thus agree
ably employed, the report Of a rifle
was heard; another, and another, fol-
lowed in quick succession. Morgan
sprang to his feet, his wife ran to the
door, as they simultaneously exclaim-
ed. ssIndians!' The door was imme-
diately barred, and the next moment
all their fears were realized, by bold
and spirited attack from a party Of In
dams. The cabin could not be sue
tNesfully defended, and time was pre-
clous. Morgan, cool, brave, and
prompt, soon decided. A puncheon
was raised; while Morgan was in the
act OF concealing his wife under the
floor, mothers feelings overcame her,
she arose, seized her infant, but was
told that its cries would betray her
place Of ccncealment. She hesitated,
gazed silently upon it. A momentary
struggle between affection and duty.
took place. She once more pressed
her child to her agitated bosom again
and again, and kissed it with impas-
stoned tenderness.-The infant, alarm
ed at the profusion Of tears that fell
upon its cheek, looked up in its moth
er's face, threw its little arms around
her neck, and wept aloud. Il" the
name Of Heaven, Eliza, release the $
child, or we shall all be lost said the z
distracted husband, in soft imploring Z
voice, as he forced the infant from the
arms Of his wife, hastily replaced the
puncheon, took up his gun, knife, and
Ratchet. ran up the ladder that led to
the garnet, and drew it after him. In
a moment the door was burst open, and
the savages entered. BY this time I
Morgan, had secured his child in a bag,
and lashed it to his back, then throw
ing oil some clapboards from the roof =
OF the cabin, resolutely leaPed TO the
ground. He was instantly assailed
BY two Indians. As the first approach
cd, he knocked him down with the butt t
of his gun. The other advanced with !
upl,fted tomahawk; Morgan let fall his
gun, and closed IN. The savage made 9
a blow, missed his aim, but severed b
the cord that bound the infant to his t
back, and it fell. The contest over $
the child, now became warm and fierce a
and was carried on with knives only.
The combatants thrust and plunged n
their deadly instruments into each 9th il
or, with desperate fury. The robust |
ard athletic Morgan, at length got the b
Both we're badly cut. Il
and blcd freely, but the stabs Of the b
white man were better aimed aid a
deeper. The Indian now became u
frantic with rage and disappointment. I
His teeth were clcnched together, the d
veins. in his neck swollen, his eyes n
seemed to emit sparks Of fire, as he d
grasped Morgan by the hair, elevated 5.
himself or tip.toe, and raised his bloody a
knife. 1t descended with desperate d
intent, but Morgan, watchfnl as he was n
brave, took advantage ofthe mo,De Mt, il
made quick and violent thrust at the c
side Of the Indian-the blood gushed o.
out. the savage gave a feeble groan, c.
and sunk to the earth. Morgan hasti 81
" took up his child and gun, and hur- II