The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-05-28
A THRILLING INCIDENT.

An incident occurred a. the Kew Biscavne
Light House during the Florida war, which is
perhaps worth recording The light was kept
by man named Thompson His only compan
ion heing an old negro man, they both lived in
small hut near the light house. One evening a
bout dusk. they discovered party of some fifteen
or twenty Indians creeping upon them, upon
which they Immediately retreated into the light
house, carrying with them a key of gunpowder.
with their guns and ammunition. From The win
dows of the light house, Thompson fred upon
them several times-but the moment he would
show himself at window, the glasses weuld be
rlddled with rifle balls. and he had no alternative
but to lie close. The Indians meanwhile rettino
out of patience at not being able to force the door
which Thompson had secured, collected piles of
wood, which being placed against the dnor and
set fire to, in process of time. not only burnt
through the dOnr, but also set fire To the staircase
conducting TO the lantern into which Thompson
and the negro were compelled to retreat
From this too, they were finally driven bv the
encroachlng flames. and were forced to gel outside
the parapet walls, which were not more than
three feet wide The flames now began 10 ascend
as from chimney, some fifteen or twenty feet
above the light house. These two men had TO lie
IN this situation some seventy feet above ground
with blazing furnace roasting them on one side
and the Indians on the other, embracing every DC
CASTOR, so soon as any part Of the body was ex
posed, to pop at them The negro, incau;iousIy
exposing himself, killed, whilst Thompson
received several balls in his feet, which he had
projected beyond the wall. Nearly roasted TO
death. in a fit Of desperation, Thompson seized the
key of gunpowder which he had still preserved to
keep il from the hands of the enemy, and threw
it into the blazing light house, hoping to end his
own sufferings and destroy the savages. In few
moments 1t exploded, but the walls were ton
strong to be shaken. and The explosion took place
out OF the top of the light house, as though il had
been fired from a gun. The effect Of the con-
cussion was TO throw down the blazinr materials
level with the ground, as to Produced a subsi-
dence of the flames, and Thompson was permitted
to remain exempt from its influence. Before dav
the Indians were off, and Thompson BEING left
alone, was compelled 10 throw off the BODY Of the
negro. while strength was yet left him, and before
it purified.
The explosion of the powder was heard on
board Of a revenue cutter, some distance of. which
Immediately proceeded to the spot to ascertain
what had occurred, when they found the LIGHT
house burnt. and the keeper above on top Of it,
Various eXpedlents were Tesorted to, to get him
down; and finally kite was made. and raised
with strong twine, and so maueuvred as to BRING
the line within his reach. to which rope Of oood
size was next attached. and hauled up by Thomp.
son-6nay a block, which being fastened 10 the
top Of the light house, and having rope over il
enabled the crew to haul up a couple of men. hv
whose aid Thompson was safely landed IN terra
frma. The Indians had attempted to reach him
by means Of the lightning rod TO which they had
attached thongs OF buckskin. but could not sue.
coed in getting more than half way up Charles.
ton News.