Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-10-27

yengjng a Murder-Horrible Cruelty
The Clinton Co, Michigan Express.
publishes the following and vouches Tor
its authenticity. Ii is certainly curious
history:
In different parts Of Central Michigan
there are two tribes of Indians, ,the Ouawas
and Chippewas. They are friendly to
each other, and during the hunting season.
frequently encamp near each other In
the .all of 1853, party OF one tribe oui'
their cabins on the hanks OF the Maple
river, and party Of the other tribe, aoont
eighty in number, enccmped IN wha' IS
now The town of Dallas. Ills unnecessa-
rv TO speak of their life in these camps
suffice it to say that the days were spent
in hunting, and the nights in drinking.
"6re- water" and carousng. In one OF
the revels at the camp on Maple river, an
Indian, maddened by liquor, Killed ms
squaw, and to conceal the deed, threw
her body upon the fire.
Recovering from the stupor OF The rev.
el. he saw that the signs of his guilt were
still before him, and fearing the wrath oil
his tribe, he fled toward the other encamp-
ment.
His absence was noiced--the charred
remains of the squaw were found, and
the cry for blood was raised. The aven-
gers were soon upon his track--they pur-
sued him 10 the encampment OF their neigh
bors he was found, apprehended, and IN
solemn council doomed TO the death which
in the stern old Indian code ls reserved
only for those who shed the blood OF their
kin. 1t was slow, torturlng, cruel death.
A hatche, was put in The victims hands,
he was led TO large log that was hollow,
and made TO assist in fixing ii for his col
fin, this was done by cutting into it some
distance on the top, in two places, about
the length of man apart, then slabbng
off, and digging the hollow still larger, so
as TO admit his body. This done. he was
taken back and tied fast to tree. Then
they smoked and drank ofthe" "lire-water,"
and when evening came they kindled large
! fires around him, at some distance off, but
so that they could shine full upon him
And now commenced the orgies-they
drank TO intoxcation-t they danced and
sung in their wild Indian manner, chant
ing the dirge of the recreant brave. The
arrow was fitted 10 the bowstring and ev-
er and anon with lis shriIl twang, II sent
missile into The quiverng flesh ofIhe hon.
iciGe ; and to heighten his misery they
cut of his ears and nose.
Alternately drinking, dancing, beating
their rude drums and shooting arrows into
the victim, the night passed.
The next day was spent in sleeping and
eating, The victim meanwhile sill bound
to the tree. What his reflections were,
we Of course cannot tell, but he bsre his
punishment as a warrior should.
When night closed around, it brought
his executioners To their work again.
The scene of the first night, was re-cnac-
ted, and so II was the next night, and Tho
next and the next, and so on for week.
Seven long and weary days did he stand
here, tortured with the most cruel tortnro,
before his proud head dropped upon hls
breast, and his spirit left It's clayey Iene-
ment for the hunting grounds OF the Gres!
Spirit. And when they did, they took
the body, wrapped il in new clean bIan-
ket and placed il in the log coffin he had
helped TO hollow.
They put his hunting knife by his side,
that he might defend himself on the way;
his whiskey bottle that he might cheer his
spirits with draught now and then, end
his tobacco and pipe,,hat he might smoke.
Then they put on tie cover, drove down
stakes each side of the log, and filed up
between them, with logs and brush. The
murdered squaw was avenged. The camp
was broken up, and The old stiffness and
quiet once more reigned over the forest
spot where was consummsle1 this signal
act Of retributve justice.
Our informant has visited the spot OF
ten since ihen--the log is still there with
its cover on, and beneath may still be seen
the skeleton Of the victim.
Let no Che-mo-kemum call this deed
Of barbarily. Ii was an act Of simple JUS
tice there was double murder II is mue,
but the pale face who sold the fre-waier
Mat crazed the poor victim and caused
him TO shed the blood of his squaw. bas
Ihem to answer 20. 10 the day Of final rcck-
Dning.
PREMATURE ISTERMENTs.-A letter in
a London newspaper. describing the fear