The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-05-25

of selt-immolation among the American
Indians, rather than fall into the hands of
their enemies, but do not recolleci any
other case in4Texas, All our late ac
counts confirm, the factthat since the Ran
gers were disbanded the Indians are re-
newing their predatory incursions with "a
farming frequency
Fort CRoGHAN, Texas.
April Z, 1858.
My DEAR -: have Just returned
from one OF the most arduous and excl
ting scouts have ever made. We had
been robbed here twice by the Indians
within four months. The last time on the
night of the 18th March. They took down
a pannel Of my stable lot and led out nine
OF my finest horses 1t was one of the
darkest Fad most clustering nights Of the
season, aud the robbery must have been
committed between nine and ten at night
The next morning | started with seven.
teen men in pursuit. Failing to discover
a trail proceeded at once 10 the post on
the head of the clear Fork of the Brazos,
thence to the Indian agency half way be-
tween Phantom Hill and Belknap. Up to
this point could hear nothing OF the rob-
berry, except the opinion entertained bythe
agent, Mr.. Stem, and all the friendly In.
dians-which concurred with my own
thatthe robbery had been committed by
Witchetas. While at the agency a party
Of that tribe. under their principal war
chef, came in under the pretense of sur
rendering some stolen horses they had
previously promised to Stem they would
do. The horses they brought in were SO
Indifferent and broken down that it was
evident they were acting in bad faith, and
that this was only intended as sublerfuge.
Twas not disposed to be triaed with in
this manner; the agent had also lost all
patience with them. 1t was accordingly
agreed TO detain the chief and the princi-
pal portion ofhis party, consisting ofnine
warriors and several women, as hostages
until the whole of the property recently
stolen should be brought in. Mr.. Stem
announcedto to them our determination, and
told them in pretty plain terms | meant
to carry them into Belknap and hold them
as prisoners, permitting two of their num-
Der to return to their tribe and convey the
sstaik" we had given them. Though full
-
ment, which would result in the death OF
Mr.. Stem or myself, or both-indeed |
would not have insured either of our lives
at 100 per cent.---we were compelled to
face the danger with apparent indifference
Any manifestation of fear or suspicion
would have increased the chances of their
resorting to the desperate alternative of"a
rush. for liberty, plunging their knives in-
to whnmsnever interrupted their passage.
The sequel proves the desperation with
| which they would have acted. As soon as
/ had told them they were prisoners | rose
from the bear-skin upon which had been
sitting facing them and mounted my horse.
at the same time drawing my pistol and
motioning themto 60 to their camp. The
chief requested that should dismount.
took seat on stoolnear by. He mo-
toned me to sit in my former position on
the ground did so, at the same time
drawing my knife under pretense of cut
! ting tobacco to smoke. lie rose. address.
ed few remarks to me about the difficult
/ ty ofrestraining his young men from steal
ing, &C., and suggested that ii would be
| better that he should. return TO his tribe
This Irefused. He then seemingly yielded
to his fate. approaching me and seizine
my hand, lifted me from the ground. and
embracing me, first pointingto Heaven an
to ourselves, to indicate that the Grea
Spirit witnessed the proceeding. | tolt
them would not hold them as close pris
oners, but merely guard against their es
cape by placing sentinels around thel
camp. Meantime encamped my com
mand near theirs, and took from, them al
the arms could find They retired qui
etly to their tents at dark. manifesiing no
the slightest intention of an attempt to es
CAPE
The moon shone as bright as day.
had posted Two distinct guards over then
of six men each, with our sentinels.
had been up and moving about camp un
til about twenty minutes before IL. At /.
the sen,inels, were relieved. The sentine
posted more Immediately over their CAM
had gone near. one of their tents. Sud
i denly one oi the Indians rushed forth from
his tent toward the sentinel. and, present
ing pistol, fired, shooting him through tn
heart. This seemed to be the sequel 10
+. a general ..break.'' As the sentineturn
ed TO retreat up the slope toward his com
panions, the Chief, Ko-we-ska. rushe
from his tent like demon, threw himse
on the back of retreating sentinel, an
with his reeking knife, inflicted severs
wounds before he was shot down by tn
old sentinel. Thesrest succeeded in eff
ecting their escape, running in differen
directions and answering the shots fire
! at them with yells OF defiance. The Chic
|, as was discovered on searching the tent.
r had purposely sacrificed himself, his vii
and boy, seven years old, to secure the e,
. cape Of his companions. The wife an
lchild whom he had requested on the ever
! ling before to talk 10 and give them ass,
rance of their safety. were found lying
. their tent. side by side. as if in deep sleel
Ebut stabbed to the heart. The wife, I
least, had consented to herfate, as "
were informed by two old women who ha
attempted to escape. sfs2s' 81
She seemed to have received the fat
blow without a struggteaboth were car
fully covered up to the breast, the child ].
ing upon its mothers arm. The Chief
/ moccasins were found ne ar their heads,
8 sign, the Indians told as, that he did IN
= L L. - 49, MAX