Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-02-21
MISCELLANY.
WHITE THUNDER, OR THE INDIAN
MURDERER.
BY WASHINGTON A. BACON.

1t was in the summer OF 1888, while member of
one of the Western Colleges, and being some
what out of health, | resolved to spend my yaca-
ton among the cold Lakes Of the North, thinking
thereby not only 10 improve my health, by breath
ing the pure air of that region, but also my mind
by personal inspection of those inland seas and
the country surrounding them. Accordingly,
made ready my bundle, and was Immediately on
my way. On my journey passed over Lake
Erie St. Clair, Huron, and stopped not until had
arrived at the Falls of ST. Marys, at the outlet of
Lake Superior. At this place is an American
garrison and settlement; and il, believe the most
northerly of any in America. The Fur Traders
resort to this place III great numbers, during the
summer season, for their outfits of goods suitable
for the Indian trade and carry them thousands
of miles into the interior, TO be exchanged for furs
which are brought DOWN the ensuing season 10
this place, and shipped TO New York. The Hud
sons Bay Company have also Post on the oppo-
site side of the river at this place, being engaged
in tho same trade.
Soon after arrived here, the traders, accom-
panied by numerous French and llali-breeds,
came in for their supply of goods, bringing along
with them an Indian, bound hand and foot with
strong cords, to be delivered up to the civil author
ity to answer for the crime Of murder, committed
on person Of trader, who, under the guse of
friendship, had visited his wigwarm, stolen the
affections and seduced the wife OF his bosom !;
and as though this not enough to fill the red
mans cup with bitterness had on public occa-
sion, when maHy of The tribes and whites were
assembled, boosted of his success, and dared the
enraged husband 10 do his worst.
Some months after, as this same trader was
passing from post TO another, through pOr
ton of that lrightlul wilderness which stretches
away from Hudson's Bay on the east, TO the Pa
ciic Ocean OIL the west, and from the great Lakes
on the south, to the Arctic regions The the north,
he was wayl laid and shot by the Indian he had so
basely treated; and Ii was for this complaint he
had been made n prisoner 10 the United States
Government--the murderer demanded and given
up by his tribe.
Learning his situation, went to the Sheriff
and was permitted to visit him He was feltered
and lying on the floor of n most wreched prison.
entirely naked and destitute, with the exception
of very small remnant of blanket around his
body, and bark sack under his head lie was
not more than twenty-five or thirty years of nge,
thick sci, strong built beautifully round and well
proportioned limbs, breast that any consumptve
person would he likely TO covet, and The sharp
penetrating look common to his race. Mr.. Ash
nun, the officer above mentioned, spoke Indian
and English, and was kind enough 10 interpret for
me. asked him why he was fecred, where he
came from, and where he was going. His reply
was that he had shot white man in the vicinity
of the Lake of the Woods, was fellered that he
might no, run away, and was on his way to Mack
NAV to die"
Dut COuu you not nave run away ulicT hOu
had committed the act 2"
sob, yes" said he, "nothng was easier
could have gone over the big mountains to ano.h
tribe and been SAFE but then our great Whte ia
her would have been angry and punished my
brethren"
He here recouned in an affecting manner the
cause Of the murder. How that the white man
was received into his cabin friend-had be-
trayed the confidence placed in him had stdu-
ced his young and beautiful wife, and destroyed
his happiness forever. sob" said he, his savage
face lighting mp with the never dying fires of jeal-
onsy and revenge, "what could do? lie de
sroyed my wlie-he called me n coward-an old
woman-a dog. l shot the nscreanr, and would
have done it though it cost me thousand hues .
felt the force OF his argument,--he had received
the death blow TO his happiness was II savage in
savage land, and who was there to look after his
wrongs, and see that they are redlessed? No
one! As left his cell, | felt my bosom swell
with pity, and could not help mentally exchanging
"What could you have done 2
As his Journey to Mackinaw was delayed few
days visited him again, taking with me gooi
blanket, loaf of bread, n pair of scissors AM
some vermillion with which he could trim his han
and paint his face, and presented them TO him.
lie seemed much pleased with these things, an
IN return arose, and took from out his sack VOL
skin, ornamented with wampum, and the quilts c
the warrior eagle, and presented it to me; givin
at the same time minute account OF the manne
of taking this bird. The eagle. according to hi
account, flies too high to be shot, and seldom a
lights unless for food--lhal he killed a deer, LEI
the carcass on the ground, and shot the bird fror
the thicket, as he descended from the sky to hi
feast, The wolf skin was very large, and was o
some occasions worn as a blanket, and was highl
valued, not only as an article of clothing, but as
token of the hunters skill besides, II was tn
poor fellows all, and ! hesated taking IL; bu, h
insisted upon il, saying at The same time, "whe
you look upon it, remember poor unfortunate re