Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-08-22
TYRO.

An incident occurred at the Kew Biscayne
light house, during the Florida war, which is per-
haps worth recording. The light house was
kept by man named Thompson. His only
companion was an old negro man ; theyboth lived
in a small hut near the light house. One even
ing about dark, they discovered party of some
fifteen or twenty Indians creeping uponthem up
on which they Immediately retreated into the
light house, carrying with them keg of gun
powder, with the guns and ammunition. From
the windows of the light house Thompson fired
upon them several times, but the moment he
would show himself at a window, the glasses
would be instantly riddled 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 Sc
cured 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 al
so set fire to the stair case conducting to the
lantern, into which Thompson and the negro
were compelled 10 retreat. From this too they
were finally 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 a
chimney, some fifteen or twenty feet above the
light house. These two men had to lie in this
situation, some seventy feet above the ground
with blazing furnace roasting them on one 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 ncautious-
" exposing himself, was killed, while Thcmp-
son received several balls in his feet, which he
had projected beyond the wall. Nearly roasted
to death, and ina fit of desperation, Thompson
seized the key of gunpowder, which he had still!
preserved to keep from the hands of the enemy,
,bro e +ho 6rb
end his own sufferings and destroy the savages
In a few moment it exploded, bat the walls were
too strong to be shaken, and the explosion took
place out of the light house, as though it had
been fired from their 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 Thompson was permitted to remain exempt
from their influence. Before day the Indians
were off, and Thompson being left alone, was
compelled to throw off the body of the negro,
while strength was yet left him, and before it
putrefed.
The gunpowder was heard on board a revenue
cutter, at some distance, which Immediately pro-
ceeded, to the spot to ascertain what bad occur
red, when they found the light house burnt, and
the keeper above on the top of it. Various ex-
pedients were resorted to, to get him down and
finally kite was made and raised with strong
Irvine, and so manouvered as to bring the line
within his reach, to which rope OF good size
was next attached, and hauled up by Thomp-
son. Finally, a block, which being fastened to
the lighthouse, and having a rope to it, enabled
the crew to haul up a couple of men, by whose
aid Thompson was safely landed on terra frml1.
The Indians had attempted TO reach him by
means of the lightning rod, to which they had
attached thongs of buckskin, but could not sue
coed in getting more than half way up.-Ckar
Necs.