Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-08-11
THE DAILY SPY.
Indian oruelty-A Thrilling Incident.

An incident occurred at the Key Biscayne light
house during the Florida war, which is perhaps
| worth recording. The lighthouse was kept by a
man named Thompson. His only companion was
an old negro man; they both lived in a small hut
near The lighthouse. One evening about dark they
discovered party of some fifteen or twenty Ind-
ans creeping upon them, upon which they immed-
atey retreated into the light house, carrying with
them keg OF gunpowder, with the guns and am
munton. From the windows of the 6oht-bouse
thompson fired upon them several times, but the
moment he would show himself at the window the
glasses would be instantly rddled by rifle balls and
he had no alternative but to lie close. The Indians
meanwhile getting out Of patience, at not being able
to force the door, which Thompson had secured,
collected piles of wood, which, being placed against
the door and set fire to, in process of time not only
burnt through the door, but also set fire to the stair
case conducting to the lantern, into which Thomp-
son and the negro were compelled to retreat. From
this, too, they were finally driven by the eDcroacb
ing flames, and were forced outside on the parapet
wall, which was not more than three feet wide
he Hames now began to ascend as from CHM
ney, some fifteen or twenty feet above the light
house. These men had TO lie in this situation, some
seventy feet above the ground, with a blazing fur
mace roasting them on side, and the Indians on
the other, embracing every OCCASION as soon as any
part OF the body was exposed, to pop at them. The
negro, lncautiousy exposing himself, was killed,
while Thompson received several balls in his feet
which he had projected beyond the wall
Nearly roasted to death. and in a fit of despera-
ton, Thompson seized the keg ofgunpowder which
ne had still preserved to keep from The hands of the
enemy threw it into the blazing lighthouse hoping
to end his own suferings and destroy the savages.
In few moments it exploded, but the walls were
100 strong to be shaken, and the explosion took place
out of the lighthouse, as though had been fred
from gun.
The effect of the conclusion was to throw down
the blazing materials level with the ground, so as to
produce subsistence of the flames, and then Thomp-
son was permitted to remain exempt from their in
fiuence. Before day the Indians were off, and
thompson being left alone was compelled to throw
OIL the body of the negro while strength was left
hun. and before it purified
The gunpowder heard on board revenue
cutter at distance which Immediately proceed
ed to the spot to ascertain what had occurred when
they found the lighthouse burnt, ard the keeper
above on top of it. Various expedents were resort
ed to. to get him down; and iialy kite was made
and raised with strong Irvine, and SO maneuvred as
to bring the line within his reach which rope of
good size was next attached and hauled up by
Thompson.
Finally, block, which being fastened 10 the light
mouse, and having rope to it, enabled the crew to
haul up couple of men, by whose aid Thompson
was safely landed on terra frma
The Indians had attempted to reach him by means
OF the lightning rod, to which they had attached
throngs OF huckskn but could not succeed in getting
more than half way up Charleston .Neus.
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