The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-06-02
An Extraordinary Narratiye--.Indian
Desperation.


American Indians, rather than fall into the hands
OF their enemies but do not recollect any other
case IN Texas. All our late accounts confirms
the fact. that since the rangers were disba nded
The Indians are renewing their predatory incur
s,ons with alarming frequency -
FoRr CRoGHAN, Texas, April Z, '53.
have jast returned from one OF the most ardu-
Gus and exciting scouts have ever made. We
had been robbed here twice by the Indians wi IA
Ia four months. The last time on the night Of the
18th Of March. They took down pannel ofmy
stable lot and led oct nine of my finest horses. 1t
was one of the darkest and most clustering nights
Of the season, and the robbery must have been
committed between and 10 O'clock. The next
morning l started with seventeen men in pursuit
Failing to discover a trail proceeded TO The post
on the head Of the clear Fork Of the Draz zos thence
TO the Indian agency half way between Phantom
Hill and Beiknap. Up to ibis point could hear
nothing Of the robbery, except the opinion en,er-
tanned 10y the agent. Hr. Stem, and all The friend
iy indIans--wh!ch,co h,concurred with my own--that
the robbery had been committed by Wlchetas.
While al the agency party of that tribe, un-
der their principal war-chef, came in TO surren-
der some stolen horses they had previously prom
sed TO Stem they would 10. The horses they
brought in SO indifferent and broken down
that II was evident they were acting in bad fiith
and tina, this only intended rs sub,erfuse
| was not disposed to be trifled with in this man-
ner The agent had also lost all pntience with
them. II was accordingly agreed 10 detain the
chirt and the principal portion Of his party-con-
slst!ng Of nine warriors and several wcr,en as
hostages, until the Whole of the property recently
stolen should be brough, in. Mr.. Stem announced
to them our determination, and told them, |
meant 10 carry them into Belknap and hold them
as prisoners, permitting two of their number to
IL
had given them. Though fully expected ga
break ca the announcement, which would result
in the death of Mr.. Stem or myself, or both, IN
deed would not have insured either of our lives
at 100 per cent.-we were COZ PEELED to face the
danger with apparent Indifference. Any mani
iestaion OF fear or suspicion would have increased
the chances of their resoriing to the desperate al
tentative of ga rush. for liberty, plunging their
knives INTO whomsoeyer interrupted their passage
As as ] had told them they were prison.
ers, rose from The bear-skin upon which had
been sitting facing them, and mounted my horse,
AT the same time DIR wing my pistol, and notion
ing them to 60 TO ,heir camp. The chief request
ed t3at | should dismount, that he wished to
speak. did so, and took seat on stool near
by. He motoned me TO SIT IN my former post
ton on the ground. did so, at the same time
drawing nly knife, under pretence OF cutting to-
bacco TO smoke. lie rose. addressed d few
marks to me about the difficulty of restraining his
Young men from ST. allng, &c, and suggesting
that 1t would be better that he should return 10
his tribe. This | refused He then seemingly
yielded TO his fate, approaching me and seIzne
me by the hand, lifted me from the ground and
embracing me, first pointed to heaven and to our
selves, To indicate that the Great Spirit witnessed
the proceeding. | told them | would not hold
them as close prisoners. but merely guard gainst
their escape, 10y placing sentinels around their
camp. Meantii e encamped my command near
theirs, and took from them all the arms could
iind They retired quietly to their tents at dark,
manilesng no, the slightest intention Of an at
tempt 10 escape.
he moon shone as bright as day. had post
ed two distinct guards over them, of six men each,
with our senlInes had been up and moving
about camp untii twenty n,inutes before twelve
Al II, the senlIneis were re ieved, The sentinel
posted more immediately over their camp, had
gone one Of their teut> to couut the number
present, while the corporal of the guard, the old
sentinel aud ciliZen who had accompanied me,
stood near looking on Suddenly one Of the In
dams rushed from his seat toward the sentinel,
and presenting plsoi fred This seemed III os
the signal for a general ''break." As the sentl-
mel turned 10 retreat 1p the slope toward his COM
panions, the chief Ke-we-aka, rushed from his
tent, threw fiiinsf upon the back of the retrea,lng
!
wounds before he was shot down by the old SER
tinel. The rest succeeded in etiec my their es-
pc, running IN different directions and answer
ing the shots fired at them with yes of defiance
The chief, was discovered, on searching the
tents had purposeIy sacrificed himself, his wife,
and boy seven years old The wife AMI child
whom he had requested on the evening before to
talk 10. and give them assurance OF their safety,
were found lying in their tent side by SIDE, as It
in deep sleep, but stabbed to the heart The VII
had consented TO her fate, as were informed
ty two old women, who had attempted To escape
She seemed to have received the fatal blow
wihuu, s,rugg!e--boih were carefully covered
up en the breast, the child lying upon IT'S mothers 5
The chiefs nl0ccasins were found near
their heads--a sign, The Indians told us, that he
did not mean to leave the spot alive. Nothing IN
romance or is,ory that have ever read approx
mates to This act Of devotion and self sacrifice -
Coop could never ventured to paint such
scene. The bright moon lighting up the beaotl-
fu coun.enance of the mo'her-ior she was beau
tful and young--wth her innocent boy by her
side and the blood still oozng from their ghastiy
wounds--the husband, father and warrior, still
stretched upon the sod the bloody knife still
grasped in his hand, looking terrible even in death;
the sentinel not FIVE {, ct from him, his cold blue
eye looking TO Heaven. while the figures of the
soldiers hurrying hnher and thIther IN search o.,
they knew not what, with occasional, but unista-
ken cries Indicating some discovery. The whole
made enduring impression on my mind had
witnessed every description of death and suffering
on the battle field. but combination ike this of
pride, courage, love. devotion, seil-sacrihce aud
revenge.
What striking Illustration of the principle held
bv these tribes never to yield themselves IT prl
soner This brave chief would 60 to the Spirit
land of his fathers, the still unsnhdued warrior.
and his wife and child freely accompanied hlm 10
hs Last hunting ground have his shield in my
possession. II is quite a curiosity and ornament,
bedecked with feathers and wampum. This with
the bow and quiver Of the hltle boy. shall pre-
serve sacredly, mementoes Of one of the most m
teresiing scenes history has recorded.
Curious GEOLOGICAL FoRMATIoy.-In
making some excavations on the Pacific Railroad,
near ST LOUIS, the workman came upon some
flint nodules Of curious shape. They are round
ed much like melon, and may easily be supposed
TO be perifcaton Of that fruit. specimen
having been brote with to!erable smooth oiea
wage. disclosed a series of what appeared to be