The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-12

party of Usage Indians, who had not
molestcd them hitherto, came across the
Mississippi stole number of horses,
and attempted to re-cross the river. The
Americans followed and fired upon them.
James Morley, an old settler, having got
ten in advance of his party, was shot,
scalped, and his head cut off and left OH
the sand-bar. The same year, James
Smith, a Baptist preacher from Kentucky,
while on visit to these frontiers, was
taken prisoner by party of Kickapoos.
On the 10Th Of May, in company with
Mrs. Hough, and "A Frenchman, he was
proceeding from the Block-hcuse to a set
dement, then known by the name of the
Little Village. The Kickapoos fired upon
them from an ambuscade near Bellefon-
tame, killed the Frenchman' horse, sprang
upon the woman and her child, whom
they despatched with the tomahawk, and
took Smith. His horse being shot, he
attempted to flee on foot; and having some
valuable papers in his saddle-bags, he
threw them into a thicket, where they
were found next day by his friends. Hav-
ing retreated few yards down the hill,
he fell on his knees in prayer for the poor
woman they were butchering, and who
had been seriously impressed for some
days, about religion. The Frenchman
escaped on foot in the thickets. The In
dams soon had possession of Smith, load
ed him with packs of plumber which they
had collected, and took up their line of
march through the prairies. Smith was
a large heavy man, and soon became tired
under his heavy load, and with the hot
sun. Several consultations were held by
the Indians, how to dispose of their prls-
oner. Some were for despatching him
outright, being fearful the whites would
follow them from the settlement, and fire.
quently pointed their guns at his breast.
Knowing well the Indian character, he
wonld bare bis breast as if in defiance,
and point upward to signify the Great
Spirit was his protector. Seeing him in
the attitude of prayer, and hearing him
sing hymns on his march, which he did
to relieve his own mind from desponden-
cy, they came to the conclusion that he
was great medicine holding daily in.
tercourse with the Good Spirit, and must
not be put to DEATH After this they took
off his burdens and treated him kindly.
They took him to the Kickapoo towns on
the Wabash, from whence in few months,
he obtained his deliverance, the inhabit-
ants of New Design paying one hundred
and seventy dollars for his ransom.
1871. In the spring of this year, the
Indians again commenced their depreda-
tons by stealing horses. In May, John
Dempsey was attacked, but made his es-
cape. A party of eight men followed.
The Indians were just double their num-
Der. A severe running fight was kept up
for several hours, and conducted with
great prudence and bravery on the part
of the whites. Each party kept the trees
for shelter; the Indians retreating and the
Americans pursuing, from tree to tree, till
night put an end to the conflict Five In
dams were killed without the loss of
man or of a drop of blood on the other
side. This party consisted of Capt. N.
Hull, who commanded, Joseph Ogle, sen.
Benjamin Ogle, James Lemen, sen. J.
Ryan, William Bryson, John Porter, and
ID. Raper.
1892. This was season of compar-
tive quiemess. No Indian fighting; and
the only deprcdations committed, were
in stealing few horses.
Concluded next week