Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-07-27
WONDERFUL ESCAPE FROM THE
INDIANS
4 HISTORICAL NARRATIVE.


James Morgan, native of Maryland, mar
ried at an early age, and soon after settled
near BTyants Station, IL the widS of Ken
lucky. Like most of the pioneers of the
West, he had cut down the cane, built cab
in, deadened the timber, enclosed a field with
a worm fence, and planted some corn.
1t was the 18th of August, 1852; the sun
had descended; a pleasant breeze was play
ing through the surrounding wood the cane
bowed under its influence, and the broad
green leaves Of the corn waved in the air =
Morgan had seated himself in the door Of mis-
cabin, with his infant on his knee; his young
and happy wife had laid aside her spinning
wheel, and was busily engaged in preparing
the frugal meal. That afternoon he had ac-
cidentally found bundle of letters, which
he had finished reading to his wife before he
mad taken his seat In the door. 1t was cor
respondence In which they had acknowledged
an earl Y and earnest attachment for each 9TH
er, and the perusal left evident traces of Joy
on the countenances of both; the little infant,
too, seemed to partake of its parents feelings,
by its cheerful smiles, playful humor, and in
fantile caresses. While thus agreeabIy en-
ployed, the report of a rifle was heard; an
other followed In quick succession. Morgan
sprang to his feet, his wife ran 10 the door,
and they simultaneously exclaimed Indians"
The door was Immediately barred, and the
next moment their fears were realized bv a
bold and spirited attack of a small party of
Indians. The cabin could not be successfully
defended, and time was precious. Morgan,
cool, brave, and prompt, soon decided
While he was in the act of concealing his
wife under the floor, mothers feeling over
came her-she arose-seized her infant, but
was afraid that its cries would betray her
place of concealment. She once more press
ed her child to her agitated bosom, again ard
again kissed it with imprisoned tenderness.
| The infant, alarmed at the profusion Of tears
that fell upon its cheek, looked up in its
mothers face, threw its little arms around
her neck and wept aloud. ''ln the name of
heaven, Eliza, release the child or be lost, -
said the distracted husband, in soft. implor-
ing voice as he forced the infant from his
wife, hastily took up his gun, knife and hatch
ct, ran up the ladder that led to the garnet.
and drew it after him. In a moment the door
was burst open, and the savages entered the
house.
/ BY this time Morgan had secured his child
in bag, and dashed it to his back; then
4 throwing off some clapboards from the cab
+ ms roof, he resouteiy leaped to the ground.
/ He was assaulted by two Indians. As the
/ first approached, he knocked him down with
4 the butt of his gun. The other advanced
with uplifted tomahawk Morgan let fall his
4 gun. and closed in. The savage made a
4 blow, missed, but severed the cord that bound
the infant to his back, and it fell. The con-
test over the child now became warm and
fierce, and was carried on with knives only.
/ The robust and athletic Morgan at length got
! the aseendency; both were badly cut, and
/ bled freely, but the stabs of the white man
were better and deeper. and the savage soon
sunk to the earth in death. Morgan hastily
took up his child, and hurried off.
The Indians in the house, busily engaged
in drinking and plundering, were not appris-
ed of the contest in the yard, until the one
that had been knocked down gave signs of
returning life, and called them to the scene
of action. Morgan was Dissolved immediate
ly, and dog put upon his trail. Operated
upon by all the feelings of a husband and
father. he moved with the speed of hunted
stag. and soon out-stripped the Indians. but
the dog kept in close pursuit. Finding it i'm
possible TO outrun or elude the cunning ami.
NAL. trained to hunts of this kind, he halted
until it came within few yards of him, ther
fired and brought him down. In a short
time he reached the house of his brother
who resided between Bryant's Station ano
Lexington, where he left the child and the
two brothers set out for his dwelling As
they approached, light broke upon his view
his steps quickened his fears increased, anC
the most agonizing apprehensions crowded
upon his mind. Emerging from eancbrake