The Placer herald., 1856-12-13
A Romantic Story of Jane McCrea.

Irving's Life of Washington, the following
interesting sketch of the arrest and murder
bv the savages of Jane McCrea-the story
of whose love and sad fate has been the
theme of many tender ditty and exciting
tale of the Revolutionary days is taken
''In Gen. Frasers division was young
officer, Lieut.. David Jones, an American
loyalist. His family had their home in the
vicinity of Fort Edward, before the Revolu-
ton. A mutual attachment had taken place
between the youth and beautiful girl, Jane
McCrea. She was the daughter Of Scotch
Presbyterian clergyman of the Jerseys, some
time deceased, and resided with her brother
on the banks of the Hudson, few miles
below Fort Edward The lovers were en-
gagged to be married, when the breaking out
of war severed families and disturbed all
the relations of life. The Joneses were Roy
alsts; tho brother to Miss McCrea was a
staunch Wing. The former removed to
Canada, where David Jones was among the
most respectable of those who joined the
Royal standard and received a Leutenant's
commission. The attachment between the
lovers continued, and it is probable that a
correspondence was kept up between them.
Lieut.. Jones was now in Frasers camp, in
his old neighborhood. Miss McCrea was on
visit to widow lady Mrs. O'Neil, residing
at Fort Edward. The approach Of Burgoyne's
army had spread an alarm through the coun
try; the inhabitants were flying from their
homes. The brother to Miss McCrea deter
mined to remove to Albany, and sent for his
sister to return home to make ready to ac-
company him. She hesiated to obey He
sent her more urgent message, represent
ing the danger of lingering about the Fort,
which must inevitably fall into the hands of
the enemy. Still she fingered. The lady
with whom she was visitor was a Royalst,
a friend of Gen. Fraser her roof would be
respected Even should Fort Edward be
captured, what had Jane to fear! Her lover
was in the British camp-the capture of the
fort would re-unite Them Her brothers
message now became peremptory. She pre-
pared, reluctantly, to obey, and was to en-
bark in a large battau which was to conway
several families down the river. The very
morning when the embarkation was to take
place, the neighborhood was a scene Of ter
ror. A marauding party of Indians, sent
out 10y Burgoyne to annoy Gen. Schuyler,
were harrassing the country. Several Of them
burst into the house of Mrs O'Neil, sacked
and plundered it, and carried off her and
Miss McCrea prisoners. In the flight the
latter promised the savages large reward
if they would spare her life, and take her in
safety to the British camp. 1t was fatal
promise Hating at a spring, a quarrel
arose among the savages, inilamcd most pro-
badly with drink, as TO whose prize she was,
and who was entitled to the reward. The
dispute became furious and one in parox-
ysm Of rage killed her on the spot. lie com
pleted the savage act by bearing off her
scalp as trophy. General Burgoyne was
struck with horror when he heard of this
bloody deed What at first heightened the
atrocity Of it was report that the Indians
had boen sent by Lieut.. Jones to bring Miss
McCrea to camp. This he positively denied,
and his denial was believed. Burgoyna' sum
moned a council of the Indian chiefs, in
which he insisted that the murderer of Miss
McCrea should be given up to receive the
reward of his crime. The demand produced
violent agitation. The cuprit was great
WARRIOR chief-and the wild horror of
his brother sachems was reused on his be-
half st. Luc took Burgoyne aside and en-
treated him not to push the matter to eX-
tremities, assuring him thai, from what was
passing among the chiefs, he was sure they
and their warriors would abandon the army
should the delinquent be executed. The
British officers also interfered, representing
the danger that might accrue should the
Indians return through Canada with their
savage resentments awakened, or, what was
worse, should they go over to the Americans.
Burgoyne was thus reluctantly brought to
spare the offender, but thenceforth made it
rule that no party of Indians should be
permitted to go forth on foray, unless
under the control of a British officer, or
some other competent person, who should
be responsible for their behavior. The mis-
chief to the British cause, however, had been
effected. The murder Of Miss McCrea re-
sounded throughout the land, counteracting
all the benefit anticipated from the terror OF