Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-09-04

An incident occurred at the Key Biscayne light
house, during the Florida war, which is perhaps,
worth recording The light house was kept by
man by the name of Thompson His only comPan-
hut near the light house. One evening about dusk
they discovered party of some fifteen twenty In
dams creeping upon them upon which they immedi-
aely retreated into the light house, carrying with
them keg OF gunpowder, with the guns and amuni-
ton. From the windows of the light house Thomp-
son fred upon them several times, but the moment
he would show himself at the window, the glasses
would be riddled with rifle balls, and he had al
tentative 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- process of time not only burnt through
the door, but also set fire to the stair conducting
to the lantern, into which Thompson and the negro
were compelled to retreat From TINS too they were
driven by the encroaching flames and were forced
outside on the carpet wall, which was not more than
three feet wide.
The flames now began to ascend as from Chin
ney some fifteen or twenty feet above the light house.
These two had TO lie in this situation some sew
enty feet above the ground, with blazing furnace
roasting them sde and the Indians on the 9TH
er, embracing every occasion, as soon as any part
of the body was exposed to pop at them. The ne
gro incautously exposing himself, killed, while
Thompson received several balls in his feet, which
he had projected beyond the wall Nearly roasted
to DEATH In mt oil desperation, thompson seIZed The
keg of gunpowder, which he had still preserved to
keep from tie hands of the enemy, threw it into the
blazing gh house, hoping to end his own suf1erings
and destroy the savages. In few moments it ex-
ploded but the walls too strong to be shaken,
and the explosion took place out of the light house
as though il had been fired from their gun.
The effect of the conclusion to throw down the
blazing materials level with the ground as 10 pro-
duce subsistence of the flames, and then Thompson
was permitted to remain exempt from their influence.
Before day the Indians were off, and Thompson be-
ing left alone was compelled to throw off the body
of the negro, while strength was yet left him, and
before il purified. fr
The gunpowder was heard on board arevenue cut
ter, at some distance, which Immediately proceeded
to the spot to ascertain what occurred, when they
found the light house burnt and the keeper above on
top of it. Various expedients were resorted to, TO
get him down; and finally kite was made and rails
ed with strong Irvine, and so man9uvered TO bring
the line within his reach, to which rope of good
size was next attached and hauled up by Thompson.
Finally, block, which being fastened to the light
house, and having rope it, enabled the crew TO
haul up couple of men, by whose aid Thompson
was safely landed on terrqfrmG. The Indians had
attempted to reach him by means of the Lightning
rod TO which they had attached thongs of buckskin,
but could not succeed in getting more than half way
up.-Char Neics.