Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1844-02-07
From the Presbyterian Advocate.
OCCURRENCES OF EARLY
TINES.


Ofdying infants: and the half suppressed,
Deep groan of man in his last agonies
And now and then there swelled upon the
breeze
Strange, savage bursts of laughter, wilder fal
( Than all the rest."-hIrs. uEMANS.
Joseph Barnett, one of the heroes q
! Revolutionary times, was born in the
year 1926, in Ireland, the birthplace Of
many true and patriotic hear!-was the
only son of his parents. and removed with
them TO America when he was only eight
years old. His father purchased farm
in that part of Pennsylvania, now called
Dauphin county. aud erected comforta-
bic and not inelegant residence. At an
early age Joseph married an intelligent
and amiable wife, in whose society Years
passed happily away. A numerous fam
lily of lovely children increased their
cares and their i,ys. But how uncertain
and fluctuating is all earthly happiness
How soon can il be wrested from our pos
session, leaving only the remembrance.
None feel this truth like those who real
lie it, and fearfuliy did the Barnetts real
ize it. Truly the times in which they
| lived 'iried mems souls'-the discordant
voice of bloody war, sounding DER hill
and valley, brought! the horrible feelings
of insecurity and disquielude to every
habitatiOn. The wild Indian with scalp
ing knife and tomahawl. made frequent
depredatious on the surrounding settle
ments. The report of murdered house.
holds, and suffering captives--of pfunde-
red property aud consumed dwellings,,
disturbed the tranquility Of many peace
full home.
The Barnetts and their immediate
neighblrs, erected block house for
the safety of their wives aud children,
while they cultivated their farms ingroups,
one or two standing as sentinels. About
the year 1860 there was at work, OIL the
farm OF Mr.. Barnett, small group one
of whica was an estimable man named
Mackey. News came with flying speed
that thei: wives and children were all
murdered at the block house by the In
dians. Preparation was immed lately
made TO repair to The scene Of horror. -
While Mr.. Barnett, with all possible
haste was getting ready his horse, he re-
quested Mackey TO examine his rifle to
see that it was in order. Every thing
right, they all mounted their horses, the
rifle in hand, ga!loped off, taking near
way to the block house. A party of Iu-
dlans laying in ambush, rose and fired at
Mr.. Barnett who was foremost, and
broke his light arin--his rifle cropped
an Indian snalched il up, and shot Mr..
Mackey through the head, he fell dead
at his feet, aud they secured his scalp
Mr.. Barneit's father who was in the rear
of his company, turned back, but was
pursued by the Indians, and narrowly es-
capped with his life. In the mean time
Barne,t's noble and high spirited horse,
which the Indians greatly wished TO pos
sess, carried him swiftly OF; of The enc
Iny's reach, but becoming weak and faint
through the loss of blood he fell to the
ground, and lay for considerable time,
unable TO rlse-a, length by great ef-
tort he crept 10 buckwheat field, where
De concealed himself until the Indians
iad retired from the neighborhood, then
raised signal, he was soon perceived by
he owner, who, after hesiiating for some
ime. for fear of The Indians, came to his
'elief. Surgical aid was procured, and
lis broken arm bound up, but the anxiety
If his mind respecting his family, was
heavy burden which agonized his soul,
md not until the next day did he hear
hat they were safe, with the exception
If his eldest son, then 8 or 9 years of
Ige, whom the Indians had taken prison
II, together with son Of Mackey about
he same age. The savages, on learning
bat one of their cap,lves was a son of
dackey. whom they had just killed, com. I
'elled him to stretch his fathers scalp;-
nd his heart-rending, soul slckening off. l
ce he was obliged to perform in sight of {
he mangled body Of his father.
The Indians escaped with The two a
oys, westward, aud for time, Maekey's '
on carried his fathers scalp, which he b
would often stroke with his little hand, |
nd say my fathers pretty HAIR
Mr.. Barnett lay languishing on a sick k
ed-his case doubtful for length of a
me, but having strong constitution, he Il
last, through the blessing of God. re- h
Dvered. losing about four inches of bone L
ear the elbow of his right arm. k
But who can tell the intense feeling of h
tterness which filled the mind, and alb. 81
'rbed the thoughts of him and his tender a.
nsitive companion. Their beloved child hi
aversing the wilderness, prisoner with Ii
savage people--exposed to the cold IN
ID hunger, and subject 70 their wanton ia
uety who can tell of their sleepless SC
ghts--their anxious days--prolonged Y,
rough long weary months and years "