Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-05-03
M tsceI ate o u 81
He LYN ERS.
CHAPTER |.
OII-AI T u ~ l.
PUBLIC ALARMS AND PRIVATE QUARRELs.-
THE ACCUSATION.


THE ACCUSATION.
During the troubles with the famous
and daring Chief Black Hawk, when the
inhabitants on our western frontier were
never safe from the depredations of his
tribe and allies, American citizens dwell
ling even at distance from the seat of
war, were frequently annoyed by unfriend-
ly visits from the red men of the forest
consequently, many families in the eastern
and northern parts of Illinois, were led to
desert their homes, and seek safety by
banding together and retiring to fortified
places. Few, however, at go great
distance from the disputed territory, suf-
fered from the attacks Of the Indians af-
ter their panic had in a degree subsidized
even when struggling bands of plunderers
were securing the country, the inhabitants,
for the most part, returned 10 their deserted
homes.
Stephen MoxOn was a brave, resolute
settler, whom nothing could lntimidate.
While many of his neighbors fled to forts
for security, he calmly went to work to
fortify his own house, which he was de-
termined not to leave. He knew that
such flying parties of savages never stop
ped to lay siege 10 place, and that if he
and his son, bold young man of twenty
FIVE, could, with the assistance OF his
wife and daughter, keep the Indians at bay
for season, there would be nothing to
fear.
With wife and Mary he used to say
. to load our rifles, George and can pick
off a few redskins, am thinking, before
they can do much harm TO us
So Moxon and his family remained at
home, while all his neighbors fled. TO
these, however, there was an exception.
There was young man living close by
who could not think of deserving the neigh
borhood and leaving Mary Moxon behind.
Accordingly, he resolved to remain, and
would have made the house of Moxon his
home for the time, had he been on good
terms with Mary's family. As it was,
there having been a quarrel between him
and George Moxon, the brother of her he
loved, he chose rather to shut himself up
in the house alone, than form any compact
with the family.
Notwithstanding this difference between
Richard Watts and George Moxon, Rich
ard and Mary were berothed F.; for their
love and confidence in each other were un-
bounded.
After the first panic, occasioned by the
red men, had subsided, many who had
left their homes in the neighborhood, learn
ing that Stephen MoxOn's family had not
been molested, resolved to return and fol-
low his example.
1t was then that Richard Watts would
have made Mary his wife notwithstanding
her brothers. opposition but she prevailed
upon him 10 delay his claims until George
could be brought to give his consent.
With regard to Stephen Moxon himself,
he was neither for or against Richard, but
left the two young men to adjust their
own differences, and Mary to do as she
chose
Thus time passed on, until, one day, it
chanced that George and Richard were
hunting in the same piece of woods, and
met near the banks of a stream, close to
a large and deep mill-pond.
We will not describe the interview, nor
dwell upon its consequences suffice it to
say that George did not return home that
night, and that Richard, although he was
seen by several of the inhabitants without
game of any description, was spotted with
blood, and that he had received knife
wound in a shoulder.
On the following morning the neigh
borhood was alarmed, and search was
made for George Moxon. 1t being in the
autumn, there were many leaves upon the