Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-10-13

made upon Indian Key by the savges, ear
ly in the night. When they came around
the house Of DIR. Perrine, he addressed
them from the cupola Of his house in Spa
nish, telling them that as he was physi-
clan they could have no motive for injur-
ing him or his family, upon which they
went away. They returned again, how
ever, at about two O'Clock at night, and
with hideous war whoop rushed upon the
house, burst in the doors, and assembled to
the cupola. In this extremity DIR. Perrine
had fastened down the scuttle door, which
delayed the Indians little; but they soon
forced it, and with yell fell upon their
victim. Mrs. Perrine, with two daughters
and son, fourteen years old, fled to the back
par: the house which stood off the beach,
and let'themseEves down through loose
floor into the water, which was four feet
deep. One of the daughters had just re-
covered so far from fever as TO be able
to set up. There they stood until one
clock Of the coming day, During this
time the Indians plundered the house and
once came and lifted up IA loose board over
their heads and looked down. But this was
during the night and the party were not
seen. The noise made by a parcel of tur-
ties which were confined near by, perhaps
saved them. After the Indians had plGn-
dered the house they set it on on fire,
the position Of the family became insupport-
ably hot, so that the lad said he would rath-
er be killed by the Indians than to be burnt
to death there. In this extremity he was
allowed pass out, and as he met with no
moles,aton, the ladies soon followed. They
directly saw the boy at some distance from
the shore, making for boat and, becko1-
ing them to come on. They did so as fast
as possible, and soon found themselves in
a large scow, which the Indians had brought
as near the shore as they could and had al
ready partly loaded with plumber. There
were setting poles on board, and the party
piled their seamanship with all their might,
and were hardly beyond the reach of rifle
shot, when they saw two Indians coming
from a store house on the beach loaded with
plumber, apparently for this very boat
Providence assisted them, and, after day
Of toll in which they were burned and blist-
tered by the sun, they were taken up by
small vessel and made to feel that they were
safe and among kind friends.
Mr.. Howe, benevolent baptist man and
his family, lived in one Of the few houses
of the Key. He and his family escaped
nor did they modest bis dwelling. He was
a good man they said, and they would not
hurt him. If Mr.. Howe and his family
had remained in their home, it was not af-
forwards doubted that his known character
for Christian philanthrophy would have
been a sufficient protection. This incident
corroborates what we have often thought,
viz. that a small band of Christian mission.
aries would subdue the Seminoles by kind.
ness, much sooner than the whole force of
the nation can do by War. 1t shows that
if the savages are cruel, it is to those who
they supposed have wronged them, but that
they have kind and generous feelings 10 re-
turn when they have proof of such feelings
in others.