The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-01-26

} overwhelmed by his remidlless calamity.
[Erom the White River Standard
Massacre at Pigeon Roost.
Mr.. ED1ToR:-A little fiction once ap
peared in one ofthe Bedford papers, found
ed upon the enormities of the Indians
committed on the settlement OF Pigeon
Roost. 1t showed its author to be ignoran
of the facts in this romance. The follow
ing is true statement Of the whole trans
action, by one who was a settler of the
same settlement.
| Until near the close Of 1919, the settlers
of Pigeon Roost, in Scott county Kentucky
lived in comparative peace with the red.
man. We had conciliated his favor, and
stndiously avoided giving ofense. The
Indians were likewise seemingly peacea-
BILE; prior to this time they had committed
no g,ievous ouirages upon any of the set
tiers. But near the close of the memora-
BILE year Of 1912, there were some slight
wbisperings Of danger to be apprehended
from neighboring tribe of Indians. As
such reports were frequently put into cir
culation for the purpose Of alarming the
credulous, we gave them but little cre-
dence. We knew that the battle of TIP.
pecanoe had just been fought, and the cele-
brated Shawnee prophet, at the head OF the
combined Indian forces defeated by Gen.
Harrison. therefore we foolshly supposed
that we now had nothing 10 fear. But a
short time convinced US TO our sorrow that
there is sometimes truth even in "fyng
reports" s......
On the third day of September party
of eleven Indians came into our vicinity,
and the outrage and savage brutality then
and there perpetrated upon innocent help,
lesness, made an impression upon my
mind that can never be effaced. Although
this has been years ago, still remember
its minuta as distinctly as though it were
but yesterday. ........
About four o'clock in the evening they
came to the house Of Elias Paine, on the
Pigeon Roost fork Of the Muscatatack.
Mr.. Paine and Moffit, brothers.in- law. were
out short distance from home, when they
were attacked by the Indians and assassi.
mated. Paine's wife and six children
shared the same sad fate. From here
they pursued the path leading TO the house
Of Richard Collins. and on the way they
met the wife Of Henry Collins, Oh an er.
rand TO her relations. She fled some three
hundred yards before she was captured,
though the Indian is remarkable for fleet.
ness. Mrs. Collins was inhumanly butch
cred and left in the woods, 10 feast the
savage beasts Of the forest. ..,t...
Pursuing their mercless way, they ar
rived at the snug little farm house Of Rich
ard Collins, who was then on campaign
into the interior. They entered the dwell.
ing and with pitiless cruelty, slaughtered
in cold blood the vile, and seven children,
of one, who, though far distant from home,
was no doubt at the same moment con-
templating the domestic happiness Of an
endeared family circle, for it was at the
silent hour of rest. A more melancholy
spectacle could not be imagined than was
here presented; beautiful and bright. eyed
little girls and boys lying side by side in
death, their lovely little forms horribly mu.
tilated. The youngest was three months;
its little head was struck from its body, |
and placed to its mothers nipples, pre-
senting most revolving sight.
am tracing this bloody trail, not be-
cause it gives me pleasure to recite those
deeds, but to rescue in some de.
gree from oblivion the memory of those
who were theGnfortun ate victims. have
since often regretted that we we're not more
Jealous in keeping in readiness a protect
ing force. Five men Of US couldhave de.
feated them, and saved TO our country and
their friends the lives Of many valuable
citizens. It was the want Of considera.
lion. We we're reposing, as we suppos.
ed, secure, unconscious OF the treachery
around US. lli a
The peaceful abode Of Mr.. Morris was
Ihe next to suffer. He, too, was in the
service Of his country. Mrs. Morris, her
mother and their innocent little children,
we're tortured to the extinction oi life.
Hard by was the house Of William Collins,
and on their way thither, two Of their mum.
,er fell in with Henry Collins. He was
nan Of hsrculean proportions, and fought
lis antagonist long and hard, with nought
tut the weapons given him by the God OF
Nature; he conquered. but died soon after.
ward from his wounds. Mr.. Norris and
amily were visiting at the residence of
William Collins, and heref for the first time
he Indians were resisted. Four of their
number were Immediately shot do wn, and
mother badly wounded. Under cover
Il the night these two families were ens-
'led'to escape by retreating into corn.
ield The Indians buried their dead un.l