Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-12-22
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Lady Madam ChanoyeS oo""''io' aSS'S'eo
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In all his wander,ngs, however, and in all
the scenes of hi, remarkable life, blessed
Pocahon,as, the young Indian girl of Vir-
ginia, was undoubtedly the bright particular
STAR that attracted his highest admiration
and deserved his warmest gratitude. She per
lied her life more than once in the most de-
voted and heroic manner 10 shield Capt.
Smith from darger; but the story is too
familiar to most readers to need to be dwelt
upon.
Another nstansc somewhat similar to that
of Pocal,ontas and Capt. Smith, though not
rising 10 so powerful an interest, on account
perhaps of the more humble condition of the
parties, is recorded of young Seminole
girl, at much NOR, recent date. 1t may
not be inappropriate to give some Of the
particulars Of this affair, inasmuch as il
has no, been so widely published and
is not so familiar is the case alluded to
above.
In the year 1917, the Indians of the
Seminole tribe, inhabiting some parts of the
territory Of Florida, commenced a border
warfare upon the inhabitants of Georgia
Duncan McKrimmon, militia soldier, who
had been stationed at one of the forts, while
out one day upon fishing excursion lost his
way in the woods. After wandering about
for several days, he was fallen in with and
captured by party of Indians under the
prophet Francis. Having taken him to
10 camp and extracted from him what infor-
nation they could respecting the positions
and intentions Of the military forces of the
whites, they prepared to sacrifice him
with the tortures common in savage war.
fare.
He was bound to stake. and dry faggots
were heaped around him. The savages then
formed in circle around his funeral pyre, and
danced, and sung, and screamed for several
hours together. With one solitary excep-
ton. all were rejoicing over their victim and
eager to witness the consumation Of their
tortues. MilIy Francis, a young daughter Of
the prophet, said to be but fifteen years of
age, was in the company. She alone partook
not of the general joy, she alone joined not
in the revelry, but watched the cruel ptepar>
atoms with saddened countenance and ev-
ident pain. When the faggots were abou.
to be fired, and the tomahawk was raised to
mutiate the victim, she suddenly rushed be-
fore the fatal instrument, and bade the exc
cutioner let tho blow fall on her, declaring
that she would not live if the cap,ive's life
we're taken.
The executoner, paralyzed with astonisl,-
ment, delayed to strike I; and Milly kneeling
to her father, besought him to save the cap.
tive's life, in such moving terms, that he a
last yielded to her request, and ordered the
prisoner TO be unbound. While Mckrim.
mon remained with them, MiIly continued tc
show him all the acts Of kindness in hel
power. 1t was but few days, however, be.
fore the prophet sold him him to the Span.
iards at St. Marks for seven gallons and 1
half of rum.
The sequel to this affair is, if possible
still more beautiful. In the fortune of war
some time afterwards, party of the Semi.
; noles, being placed in a situation where they
must either starve or surrender themselve,
prisoners 10 the whites, at last, preferrlne
the latter alternative, came in and gave them.
selves up. Mlly Francis was one Of the
number. When Mckrimmon learned tina
she was prisoner, he fastened immediatel,
to find her out, and 10 do what he could te
discharge the obligation he was under to
woman who had placed her own life in i'm.
minent jeopardy TO preserve his. By max
ing her case known, he had every thing done
that could be, 10 add to her comfort ant
happiness. And that he might show her tho
stronges, possible evidence of his high sense
of the obligation he was under, he offered
her his hand in marriage. AS if conscious
Of the feeling which induced the offer, will
true dignity Of soul, she declined il, telling
him that she had done but what she consid
cred SIMPLE act Of duty, and said tina
she did no more for him than she shoulc
, have done for any other one in like circum.
stances.
Another striking incident, in some res.
spccts parallel to the foregoing, and yet dif
fering in others, occurred in Western New
York some fifty or sixty years ago. Jane.
Dean was one Of the earliest settlers O
Westmoreland, Oneida county. He was
native of New England, the son of religious
parents, who designed him for a missionary
r among the Indians. For this purpose ht
= was sent while, when but eleven years old
i to reside among the Indians on the Susque
! hannah, to learn something Of their language
manner. and customs. During his soiourr
8 among these sons of the forest, the wife o
one of the head chiefs of,he Oneidas, agree.
: ably TO the usages of the tribes, adopted hin
!, as her son. He afterwards returned TO New
, England and pursued hi. studies to carry GU
the intention of his parents.
The breaking out of the revolutionary wal
however, changed the whole plan of his fl.
ture life. Instead of going as missionary
among the Indians. he received the appoint.
menl of Indian agent with the rank of Majo,
in the army. He performed the duties Of
this office during the war. residing most oil
the time in the neighborhood of the Onel.
das. After the war was over, the tribe pre-
scented him tract of land in what was af.
forwards called Westmoreland, upon which
he commenced settlement in 1856. II
was few years after this, that the inciden,
occurred OF which We are to speak.
An Indian had haon n,urda-od l,y ,oc,,