Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-10-23
9 8oroer Storgg,
The DECoTAR'S CAPTIVE.

w nile tne CpanlSu cOloulStS la'aSeo lue
southern portion Of North America in quest
Of gold, and the English planted the germs
Of self-goverpmept on the eastern coast, the
French were but the agents Of home mer-
chants, who enjoyed monopoly of the vari-
Gus trafics, and were sustained in the enjoy
.ment of it by the strong arm of military pow
er. To the trading association in particular
we owe the discovery of the Mississippi, by
the sons of the MEMBERSHIP intrepid La
Sale In this day, lead was first discovered
within the present limits of the State of Iowa,
but the noted Julien Dubuque was the first
who taught the Indians to collect the ore,
and make an article of trade of it. He was
not only brave but crafty man, and after
his death, the savages, in compliance with
with his dying wish, deposited his remains
on the summit nf high cliff'overlooking
the "Father of Waters, securing the mouth
of the mausoleum with massive leaden door
Of ton weight. They then burned his dwell
hngs and erased every trace Of civilized life
around his settlement, except the orchards
planted by his own hands. Vandal whites
afterwards cut up the door to sell; but the
name of Dubuque will ever be remembered
in Iowa.
Years passed away. The white flag Of
France no longer waved over the Mississippi
valley, and the bold fontiers-man, advan-
cling on the foremost wave of civilization,
crossed the river in quest of lead ore, game,
and fertile SOIL One of the first settlements
thus established, vas formed by party from
Kentucky, led by the grandsire of the
younger geperatiap-old Joe Bates, noble
specimen of frontiers-man. Seventy win
ters had whitened his long locks, but he was
still hale and hearty, able to WELD an axe
with any of his sons, or to draw bead on a
rife with that fatal accuracy Of aim which
had enabled him to render good service at
the battle of New Orleans. Selecting good
locality on the very shore of the Mississippi,
old Joe and his sons built a log cabin, sur
rounded by stockade to keep off the Deco
tabs. They surrounded "clearing" with a
worm fence, deadened the standing trees by
the fatal axe circle, and planted corn. When
the corn was we'll above ground and freed
from weeds, they began to ''prospect' for
lead ore.
Thus far they had seen no Indians, and
began to fstter themselves that the cred
skins had left the country to their peace
full possession; but the willy savages had kept
a constant watch upon their movements
Perhaps, had they confined themselves to
agricultural labors, the intruders light have
gone on unmolestcd, especially as the Deco
tabs wished to conciliate the United States
Governmentinto profitable treaty, but when
pick-axes were welded in search of lead ore,
the destruction ofthe pale-faces was resolved
upon in council.
The first object of savage vengeance was
the oldest son, Frank Bates, who had built
him a cabin about FIVE hundred yards from
"head quarters" despite the warnings Of
old Joe. Frank, however, had no fear of
Indians, and lived with his wife and babe in
great happiness, until one summers night
when he was awakened by the loud barking
Of his dogs. Srrnging from his bed, he
looked through an opening in the logs, and
saw to his horror at least fifty Decotahs, in
full war costume, evidently seeking the easi-
est way to force an entrance into the cabin.
Arousing his wife, he raised cellar trap
door, and was about to send her down, when
the child she had left in the bed began to
cry.
81 cannot leave my babe," she said.
"Nay," he exclaimed, 81 will take care Of
the boy" and almost forcing her down into
the small cellar, he closed the unhinged door
over which he drew large chest. Then
seizing his rifle and hatchet, he took the in
fant and ascended to the loft of the cabin
pulling the ladder up after him. n moment
more, the door was forced from its hinges
and the Decotahs entered eager for their prey
But Bates did not remain to watch theil
movements, for lashing his boy to his should
ers, he cautiously opened shutter in tht
gable of the loft, and seeing that no Indian:
were beneath, jumped to the ground, rifle il
hand.
Ere he had traversed his little garden, tht
air resounded with the blood-chilling tone
Of the war-whoop, and volley of arrow
rained around the fugitive. Happily onl,