The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-03-22
An INTERESTING STORY.
The Dacotah's Captive.
A TALE OF THE LEAD MINES OF IOWA.
BY BEN. PERLEY PoORE.

While the Spanish colonists ravagcd the
southwestern portions of Norta America in
quest of gold, and the English planted the
germ Of selfgovernrncnt OH the eastern coast,
The French were but the agents of home mcr-
chants who enjoyed monopoly of the vari-
Gus traflics and were sustained in the enjoy
mcnt of it by the strong arm of military pow
or. 10 the trading association in particular
we owe this discovery of the Mississippi, by
the sons Of one of the members the intrepid
La Sale. In this day, lead was first discov-
cr,d within the present limits oe the State Of
Iowa, but the noted Julien Du Buque was
the first who taught the Indians to collect the
ore and make an article of trade of it. lie
was not only brave but crafty man, and
after his death, the savagcs, in compliance
with his wiSh deposited his remains on the
summit of a high cliff. overlooking the "Fa-
thcr Of waters" securing the mouth of the
mausolcum with a massive lcaden door of a
ton weight. They then burned his dwellings
and era sed every trace Of civilized life around
nis settlement, except the orchards planted
10y his own hands. Vandal whites after
wards cut up the door to sell, but the name
OF Du Buque will ever be remembered in
Iowa.
Years passed away. The white flag of
France no longer waved over the Mississippi
valley, and the bold frontiers man. advancing
on the foremost wave of civilization. crossed
the liver III quest Of lead ore. game and fer
tile soil. One of the first settlements thus
established was formed by a party from
Kentucky, led by the grantlsire of the young
or gencraton-old Joe Bates, a noble spcci-
men OF a frontier man-seventy winters had
Whltcncd his long locks. but he was still
hale and hearty, able to wirld an axe with
any of his sons, or to draw bead on rifle
with that fatal accuracy of aim which had
enabled him to render good service at the
battle of New Orleans. Selecting q good To-
cali!y on the very shore of the Mississippi,
old Joe and his sons built log cabin, sur
rounded by stockade, to keep off the Da-
colahs. Then surrounding CLEARING" with
worm fence, d,adcn,d the standing trees by
the fatal axe circle, and planted corn. When
their corn was wei: above ground and freed
from weeds, they b,gan to prospect for lead
| orc.
Thus far they had seen no Indians, and be-
gan to flattcr themselves that the 'r,d skins"
had left the country to Their peaceful posses
sion, but the willy savagcs had kept con-
slant watch upon their movements. Perhaps
had they confined themselves to agricultural
labors, the intrudcrs might have gone on UNI
molcstcd, especially as the Dacotahs wished
to conciliatc the United States government
into profi;abl" treaty, but when pick-axcs
were welded in search of lead ore the dcs-
truction of the pale faces was resolved upon
III council.
The first object of savage vengeance was
the Oldest son, Frank Bates, who had built
him cabin about five hundred yards from
..hcad.qnarters, 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 summer S night, when
he "as awakened by the loud barking of his
dogs. Springins from his bed, he looked
through an opening in the logs, and saw to
his horror, at least fifty Dacotals, in full war
costume, evidently seeking the easiest way
to force an entrance into the cabin. ARGUS.
ing his wife, he raised a cellar trap door, and
| was about to send her down when the child
she had lcf, in bed began to cry.
Il cannot leave my babe" she said.
May" he exclaimed. 81 will take care
of the boy" and almost forcing her down into
the small cellar he closed the unhingcd door,
over which he drew a large chest. Then seiz-
ing his rifle and hatch,t he took the infant
and assembled to the loft of the cabin, pulling
the ladder up after him. A moment more
the door was forced from its hinges and the
Dacotnhs entered, eager for their prey. But
Bates did not remain to watch their move
nents, for lashing his boy to his shoulders.
he cautiously opened shutter in the gable
of the loft, and seeing that no Indians were
beneath, jumped to the ground, rifle in hand.
Ere he had traversed his little garden, the
air rcsoundrd with the blood chilling tone of
the war whoop. and a volley OF arrows raincd
around the fugitive. Happily only one struck
him. and that in the ileshy part of the arm,
SO tEat nc Kept on straning every nerve to
reach the stockade around his fathers cabin.
But ere he had gone many PAGES a gigantic
Indian overlook him. Turning like stag
at bay, he faced his antagonist, knocked him
down with the butt of his rifle and then sped
on his way. But now, to his horror, he saw
a large body of the Dacotahs around his IA
thcr' dive ling as he approached. firing over
on to the roofs of the cabins with arrows TO
which burning tow was attached.
lie paused the cries of his bow arous-
cd him to a sense Of his own danger and his
wife's pcrilouS situation. Directing his steps
towards the livcT where he found his dug cut
safely moor,d, he soon was padding across
the river to a settlement where there was a
large number Of whites.
Day had scarcely dawned on the succeed
ing morning, before twenty miners, good men
and true, were ready to accompany him
across the river. They cared no more for
Dacotahs than for Iraire dogs, and acted
upon the spur of the moment, regardless of
consequences. Crossing above his residence,
young Bates led them toward his clearing.
but on arriving there nothing remained but
Wondering pile of ashes. His beloved wife
had evidently persisted in the flames, for
among the ashes and charred beams in the
cellar they found some blackcncd bones Just
then they were joined by Joe Bates and two
OF his younger sons armed to the teeth. They
were delighted to see Frank alive, for they
had feared that the column of smoke that
had arisen from his cabin was his monument.
but now they did their best to condole him
in their rough way. He said but little but
secretly vowed to avengc his wife's death.
and well did he keep his word. To have
seen him, no one would have supposed that
the mild looking, slender built Frank Bates
was an incarnatc demon IN fight with tho
Dacotahs, yet within year after his cabin
vas burnt he had twenty scalps hanging at
| his glrdlc. ''Vengeahce" seemed his only
thouyht-hiS life e desire