Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-12
From the National Trte'hreneer.)
TIE INDIAN KEW MASSACRE.

The attack that made Indian Key, in the
month of August last by band Of Seminole Indians,
and which resulted in the total destruction Of the Is
land, yet fresh in the recollection of most of our
readers.
Among those who fell victims to Indian rapacty
and ferocty Doctor Henry Perrine, gentleman
of distinguished talents and education, who had tenn
porary settled himself at Indian Key for the purpose
of introducing the culture Of tropical plants, including
the Tea Plant into the Territory Of Florida. DR.. Per-
rne had intended to locate himself on township of land
situated Cape Florda but in consequence of the
Seminole war; which then raging, land still rages
he not allowed to carry his designs into execution
The township of land Of which speak, granted
TO him in the year 1888 by Congress- with a view to
the encouragement Of his favorite enterprise. Whilst
waiting patiently for the close of the war; at Indian
Key, place of supposed perfect security, band OF
savuges landed the Island desoated it, and assassna
ted portion of It's inhabitants, and among those who
fell was DR.. Perrine.
A concise account of the affair was drawn up by a
daughter Of Dr. Perrne, who witness of the
bloody transaction, has been placed in our hands by
friend and will be read doubt not, with deep and
melancholy interest 1t unolds, indeed, tale of terror
THE NARRATIVE
On the morning of the 9Th of August, between two
and three o'clock, were awakened from sound
sleep hv the Indian war hoop and the discharge oil
guns. Father was lying at the time in the hammock,
to watch Sarah who had been dangerously i'll some
weeks. Father, Mother, Sarah, and myself sprang
from beds at the time, while the Indians
were firing at the chamber windows, and the glass
falling had reached the head of the stairs to
descend, when | thought of Henry, who had mol
awok-, and ran back TO his bed for him. we then ran
down small room at the foot of the stairs which
atrapdoor that led 10 the cellar which used for bath
ing las the tides filed it twice day. Father accompa-
med the door, and then said 81 will back and
what can do" Soon after he went up stairs, mother
called as loud as she dared to him. and told him she
had no caps TO his riAe;' he replied 81 know 1t, but
will see what can do" ! constantly entreaed mo-
Their 60 down into the water; but she refused think
ing father would be down 60 with us, until
heard the Indians breaking into the house of Mr..
Howe, which opposite then told my mo.
ther "they would soon break into house, aud we
all should be murdered" We then went into the
cellar passed through the bathing into small
place, say three feet high, four wde and ten long,
walled up with rocks and thick plank over the top,
covered with mari and rocks. and then plank again
10 make it with the wharf which extended be-
yond it, and separated from it by palmetto posts
driven deep in the mari; under this wharf was large
turtle crawl Tor penn Soon after we had secreted
ourselves in this place. heard my father the upper
piazza calling to the Indians in Spanish telling them
she was physician, upon which they gave shout
and left the house While they were gone, evil
dent to us, from the noise heard that my father
down and clssed the trap door through which we
had passed. and drew heavy chest Of seeds that
IN the room over it, thinking, no doubt he should be
saved, and by thus doing, he might And this
kind act was the last my dear father did for his
family. During this time, we heard the Indians break.
ing into the different houses, while remained I'M
touched. But about daybrcak they returned, Jumped
upon the piazza, and commenced ba,terng away at the
doors and windows, and we heard one of them say
"stop that" they then rushed up stairs the same
voice said they all hid ); the old man up stairs
for my father had evidently rereated to the cupola,
which was entered by heavy trap-door.-Soon we
heard them pounding at that door with most horrid
yells but from its strength it resisted for time,
but when il gave way, their yells like demons
and it was then that their most cruel and heartrend
ing work was accomplished-the massacre of my dear,
lamented father We soon heard them breaking
crockery, glass, DOORS windows, and indeed, every
thing they could lay their hands upon, while our
trunks, chests of clothing, boxes of dry goods and
groceries, &C., being carried over our heads
and loaded into boats; and most of the time were
in our place Of secretion there were three or four