The Northern galaxy, and Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1843-1844, 1843-11-22
WHO KILLED TECUMSEH ?

During the recent visit of Col. r. D..
Johnson to Concord N. H., an amusing
incident occurred at the dinner table, which
is thus detailed by the New Hampshire Pat
riot -
"Mr. William Low, one of our Oldest
citizens, made point at the dinner, winch
added great interest to it. He commenced
with saving that he desired to put very
bIunt question to Col. Johnson-that he
was a plain, blunt man; and he pursued
his object with directness and IN straight
forward way. he alluded 10 the early MS
tory of the country, and paid lifting III
butte TO the memory of Gov Pierce. He
talked to the President of the company and
then through him to Col. Johnson. His
remarks related to various matters, touch.
ing upon one subject al one moment ana
starting another thing at another moment
By the course of his observations he sue
ceeded in binding the minds OF most 10 the
subject of the interrogatory no wished 'o
put: and he got credit, notwithstanding
his disclaimer, for good deal OF tact, skill
and adroitness He at last came TO the In
terroeatorv bluntly enough; but he did moi
wish for a reply, if there was any dellcacy
about answering. Then addressing Col
Johnson, he asked" Col. johnson, did
YOU, or did you not. in your own opinion
kill Tecumseh 2 Shouts upon shouts iol'
lowed this, and when it had subsidized, Col.
Johnson said that, called upon in such
manner, among such people, he felt moi
The least hesitation in answering the ques-
ton promptly and fully. ThereuPon he
declared, ain my own opinion, did Kill
Tecumseh He stated TO the company
evidence upon which his opinion rested thai
they might judge as well as he. The In
dams near the quarter where he was hac
been several times routed and again brought
to the charge by leader. who commanded
and was obeyed as the principal chief
Col. Johnson pushed his horse towards this
chief, determined 10 end the desperate flgh
by his death, if possible. He himself wa:
wounded badly and he supposed from weak
ness and faintness that he was gone any
how, so that he didn't estimate the risk o.
his own life al very high rate. As they
approached each other the Indian fired
putting a ball through Col. Johnson's bride
hand. (Which Col. J. said was the only sho
he felt through the fght.) The chief ther
raised his tomahawk, and when he was
within some 90 feet in the act of throwing
it Col. Johnson levelled pistol which h'
had concealed from the view of the chic
and shot him dead. His pistol was loaded
with ball and three buckshot. Tecumsei
was found killed at this very spot. A bal
had entered his breast near the heart; ont
buck shot took effect little higher up OF
the breast, another in the neck and th'
third in the head. Various other fact
were stated, but we have no space to refe
to them. When Col. j. took his seat
Judge Upham rose and said, as he believed
mention had been made of jury, as al
issue had been made up and the evidence
laid before the jury, he would propose tina
The company, the jury, should return at th'
same time their verdict. 1t was agreed TO
and the opinion of the jurors was ascer
tanned by rising. All were of one mind
and the jury returned verdict in favor o
Col. johnson, of "GuILrY OF THE BLool
OF TECUMsEH ~