The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-08-29
From the Charleston Mercury.
FROM FLORIDA.

From the Charleston Mercury.
FROM FLORIDA.
BY the schr. Empire, Capt. Southwick
we have received St. Augustine papers o
the 2lst inst. from which we copy the fol
lowing account Of the Butchery at lndian
Key, which varies in some particulars
from that already published.
The steamer Santee, Capt Poinsett,
arrived on Wednesday morning from the
South, bringing as passengers the family ol
DR.. Perrine late Of Indian Key. She
brought in tow, from New Smyrna, the
steamer VIM. CASTOR, which boat had sus.
tanned injury some time since.
1t becomes again our mournfnl duty to
record the successful effusion of blood in
this ill-fated Territory, and the Trium-
plant accomplishment on the part of the
Indians, Of an adventure bordering on ro-
nance. Indian Key, small spot of not
over seven acres in extent, and situated a
short distance in advance, midway be:
tween old and new Matacomba Key, about
thirty miles from the main land, and on
our Southern Atlantic coast, was invested
by seventeen boats containing Indians; Sc
ven Of its inhabitants murdered, the island
plundered, and its tuildings burned.
About two o'clock on the morning Of
the 7lh inst. Mr. Glass, in the employ
of Mr.. Houseman, happening to be up,
saw boats approaching, and informed a
person in the same employ, when they
passed into Mr.. Houseman's garden, and
were satisfied that they were boats COLI
tanning Indians. The Indians commenced
their firing upon the house of Mr.. House
man and DR.. Parrinc; the former Of whom,
with his family, and that of Mr.. Charles
Howe and family, succeeded in escaping
to boats. and crossed over to Teafable
Key. The family of DR.. Perrinc, passed
through trap door into their bathing
room, from whence they got into the tur-
tie crawl, and: by great effort removed the
logs and escaped to the front Of House.
mans store, they then went tot o boat at
the wharf which 6 Indians (all who re-
mained) had partly filled aud were in the
store after further supply-they then
pushed off and pulled with an. oar, pad
die, and poles towards the Medium, they
were met by boat when they had rowed
a mile and taken to the schooner.
Mr.. Motto and wife, and Mrs. Johnson,
lady of 70 years ofsage, fled into an out
house, from whence Mrs. M.was dragged
by an Indian, and while in the act Of call
ing on her husband, "John save me-"
she was killed. Mr.. Motto shared the
same fate, and was scalped; and the old
lady, as she was dragged forth, suddenly
jerking from the Indian, broke his hold
and escaped under house, Her grand
child, a daughter of Mrs. Motto, aged
four years was then killed with club, and
the infant strangled and thrown in the
wafer. This was seen by Mrs. johnson
from her hiding place; but the Indians
fired this building. and She was again
forced to fee, and escaped to Malony's
wharf, and secreted herself, and was final
ly rescued. James Sturdy, a boy about
IL years Of age,hid himself in the cistern
under Mr.. Houseman's house, and was
scalded to death by the burning building
heating the water. The remains of an
adult skeleton were found among the ruins
of DR.. Perrine's house, supposed to be
the Doctor, as well as that of child
thought to have been slave of MIR. House.
man.
The Indians were what are known as
Spanish Indians, and were headed by Che
kekia, the same chief who headed the
party massacreing the men at Caloosahat-
chic. They obtained great amount of
plunder from. the houses and stores; and
whilst engagedin obtaining these articles,
Mrs. Perrine, with her Two daughters and
little son, reached boat partially loaded,
and put off to the schooner Medium, laying
at some distance. They were promptly
rescued by boat coming to their assis-
tance, and were taken 10 the schooner.
On Mr.. Houseman reaching rea,able
Key, Midshiprhan Murray, U. s. N. star
ted with his only available force, of Is