Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-05-10
The Indian Chief.

The following beautiful story is literally true.
WILLIAM Tracy. Esq. of Utica. on the early his
terry of Oneida County. Ii has been altered bv
somebody, bu, we have no, thanl the means Of
correcting the allie raiions the sniff:
" important to greatly mar tho .au,y OF the in
ciient gracefully related BY Mr.. l'racy--whose
fine pen. would take this occasion to say. it is
rcpro-,a - hi.a that .s ias .a.Tssed to lie lille
SO long.
One OF the first settlers in Western Nav York
was Judge W who established himself at
INSTRUMENTATION, foar miles from Utica. He
brought his family with hin, among whom Was a
widowed daug liter with only child-a fine boy
abou. four years old You viii rccollec', the
country around was an unbroh-n forest, and this
the domain of the savage Tribes:
Judge w - saw the necessity OF keeping on
good terms with the Indians. fur. as he near
ly alone, he was completely ct their mercy. Ac-
cordingly he took every opportunity 10 assure
them Of his kindly feelings, and 10 secure their
good will in return. Several OF the chiefs came
10 see him, and all appeared pacific. But there
thing that troubled him: an aged chief
of the Oneida tribe, and one Of great influence.
who resided at a distance OF "a dozen miles. hai
not bee to see him, nor could he ascertain tho
views and feelings o the sachem in regard to his
settleine Mt in that egon Al last he sent hun a
message. and the answer was that the CHIEF would
visit him the morrow.
True to his appointment, the sachem came
Judge W received him with marked respect
and introduced his wife, his daughter and little
boy. The interview that followed wits interes-
ting. Upon its result the Judge was convinced
his security might depend, and he Was exceeding
the distinguished chief. lie exprcssed his desire
to settle in the country, and TO live on terms OF
anlity aud good fellowship with tho Indians, and
to be useful to them by introducing anon. them
the arts Of civilization.
The chief he ard him ont, and Their said.-'Bro-
Their YOU ask much aud you promise much
What pledge can YOU give OF your faith ihc
white mans word may be good to the white man,
yet it is wind when spoken 10 tho lnian
Il have put my life III your hands,, SAID Inc
Judge is not that evidence OF my good inten-
,ionsi l have placed confidence III the Indian
aud will not believe that be will abuse or tetray
the trust that is thus reposed
$50 much is we'll replied the chief; The Indian
will repay confidence with confidence, II yeu
will trust, he will trustvou.'
Let this boy go with me to my wigwam-l
will bring him back in three days with my an
swer"
If an arrow had pie reed the bosom Of the mo-
Their she could not have felt deeper pang than
went to her heart, the Indian made this pro-
posal. Si.e sprang forward. and running TO inc
boy who stood at the side OF the sachen, look III g
into his face with pleased wonder and adniration'
she encirced him in her arms. and pressing I'm"
to her bosom, was about Il fly from the room.
A gloomy and ominous frown came over the sa-
chrrn's brow, but he did not speak.
But not so with Judge W.. lie know that
the success OF their enterprise. the lives Of his
family, depended on the decision Of a moment.
/ stay, stay. my daughter he said Bring
back the boy, bcseech you. He is no more 10
YOU than to me. l would not risk HAIR OF his
head But, my child be must go with the chief
God W i'll watch over him. He will be as safe IN
the sachems wigwanl, as beneath our own root
The aponized mother hesitated fer moment;
she then slowly returned. aud placing the boy
on III. knee of the Chief aud kneeiirg ut his
feet, burst into food Of tears The gloom
passed from the sachems brow, but he said not u
/ word he arose and departed.
shall not attempt to describe the agony Of Il 8
mother for the ensuing days She was "gitafed
by conte nding hopes and fears. In the night
she awoke from sleep seeming to hear the
screams of the child calling on its mother for
help. But the time wore slowly awav-nnd the
third day came. How slowly did ,Ie hours pass
/ The morning waned away. noon arrived; ye'
the sachem came not. There was gloom ovci
the whole household. The mother was pale and
silent Judge w walked the floor TO and
/ fro, going to the door every few minutes, and
looking through the opening in the forest TO-
wards the sachems abide.
! At lat the rays of the setting sun, were thrown
upon the tops of the trees around, the eagle
f.ath. ~ OF the chief we're seen dancing above
the bushes in the distance lie advanced rapid
! lv--and the little boy was at his side lie wae
/ Cdlly attIeO as q NOuur CiiIei--1HS 'cte o''Hs
/ dres.ed in mocc asin., fine beaver skin was on
/ his shoulders, eagle eather was stuck IN h'.
hair He was in excellent spirits. and so proud
was he Of hi. honors that he seemed two inche1
! taller than he was before. - He was soon IN his
mothers arms, and IN that brief minute she
see med to pass from death to life. II was hap
ply meeting--,oo happy for ne TO describe. 'lhe
white maa has conquered: said the sachen
hereafter let US be friends. You have trusted
an Indian, lie will repay you with confidence
and friendship
tie was as good as his word; and Judge W
lived for many years in peace with the Indian
tribes, and succeeded in laying the foundation OF
a fourishing and prosperous community.