The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-11-06
I S o e u u q III 40 u s
THE DECOTAH'S CAPTIVE.

While the Spanish colonists ravaged the
southern portion Of North America in
quest Of gold, and the English planted the
germs of cf.govcrnment on tho eastern
coast, the French were but the agents of
home merchants, who enjoyed monopoly
Of the various trallics, and were sustained
in the enjoyment Of it by the strong arm
of military power. To tho trading associa-
tion in particular we owo the discovery of
the Mississippi, Ly the sons of the members
tho intrepid La Sale. In this day, lead
was first discovered within the present linn
its of the State of Iowa, but the noted Ju-
lien Dubuque was the first who taught the
Indians to collect the ore, and make an ar
ticle of trade Of it. lie was not only 4
bravo but crafty man, and after his death,
the savages, i'll compliance with his dying
wish, deposited his remains on the summit
Of high cliff overlooking the Father Of
Waters" securing the mouth Of the mau-
soleum with massive lca,lcn door Of ton
weight. They then burned his dwellings
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 Alissis-
sippi valley, anl the bold frontiers man, ad-
vancing OH the foremost wave Of civiliza-
ton, crossed the river in quest of lead ore.
game, and fertile soil. One of the first set
Elements thus established, was formed by Il
party from Kentucky, led Ivy the grandsirc
Of the younger gencra,ion-old Joe Bates,
noble specimen Of Il front crs-man. Sew
enty winters had wlitcued his long locks,
Lut he was still hale and hearty, able TO
wicld IN axe with any Of his sons, or to
draw bead Oh rifle with that fatal accu-
racy Of aim which had enabled him to
render good service at the battle of New
Orleans. Selecting good locality Oh the
very shore Of the Mississippi, old Joe and
his sons Luilt Il log cabin, surrounded by
Il stockade TO keep off the Dccotalls. They
surrounded 4 clearing with a worm fence,
dealcncd the standing trees by the fatal
axe circle, aud planted corn. When the
corn was well above ground and freed from
weeds, they began to "prospect" for lead
ore.
Thus far they had seen no Indians, and
began TO nattcr themselves that the cred
skius" had left the country to their peace
ful possession; but the willy savagcs had
kept a constant watch upon their move
ments. Perhaps, had they confined them
selves to agricultural labors, the intrulers
might have gone on un'nolested, especially
as the Decotahs wished to conciIiate the
United States Government into q profitable
treaty, but when pickaxes were WELD
cd in search Of lead Ore, tho destruction
Of the pale faces was resolved upon in coun-
Gil.
The first Object Of savage vengeance was
the Oldest son, Frank Bates, who had built
him n cabin about five hundred yards from
head quarters" despite the warnings Of
old Joe. Frank, however, had 10 fear of
Indians, and lived with lis wife and babe in
great happiness, until one summers night
when lie was awakened by tie loud bark
ing of his dogs. Spring from his bed, lie
looked through an opening in the logs, and
saw to his horror at least fifty Decot;.hs, in
full war costume. evidently seeking the
casiest way to force an entrance into the
cabin. Arousing his wife, lie raised a cellar
trap door, and was about to send her down,
when tho child she had left in the bed bc-
gan to cry.
' I cannot leave my babe" she said.
"Nay," lie exclaimed, IL will take care Of
the boy" and almost forcing her down into
the small cellar, he closed the unlinged
door, over which he drew large chest
Then, seizing his rifle and hatcllct, lie took
the infant and ascended to the loft of the
cabin, pulling the ladder up after him. A
moment more, tile door was forced from Its
hinges, and the Decotalis entered eager
for their prey. But Bates did not remain
TO watch their movements, for laslling bis
boy to his shoulders, he cautiously opened
a shutter i'll the gable Of the loft, and see
ing chat no Indians were beneath, jumped
10 the ground, rifle in hand.
Ere he Lad traversed his little garden
the air rcsoundcd with the blood chilling
tones of tile war-whoop, and volley Of al:
rows raincd around the fugitive. Happily
only one struck him, and tl,at in the fles1'y
part Of tue arm, so that l.s kept on str,in.
ing eycry nerve TO reapIl the stockadc
arohod Ills fathers caLin.. But ere lie lad
gone many PAGES, gigantic Indian over.
took him.; Turning like a stav Mt Inv 10