The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-09-01
Three Days of Agony.


Tho following beautiful story is literally
true, and was first published 10 a lecture
delivered by William Tracy, Eco, of Utica.
on the early history of Oneida county:
One of tho first settlers in Western New
York was Judge W., who established
himself at Whitesto wn, about four miles
from Utica. He brought his family with
him. among whom was a widowed daughter
with an only child-a fine boy, about four
years old. You will reccollcct, tho country
around was an unbroken forest, and this
was the domain of the savage tribes.
Judge W saw the necessity of keep.
ing ON good terms with tho Indians for, as
he was nearly alone. he was completely at
their mercy. Accordingly, he took every
opportunity to assure them of his kindly
feelings, and to secure their good will in re.
turn. Several of tho chiefs came to see
him, and seemed pacific. But there was
one thing that troubled him. An aged
chief OF the Oneida tribe, and one of great
Influence, who resided at distance of q
dozen miles, had not yet been to see him,
nor could be ascertain the views and feel.
ings of the sachem in respect to tho settle
ment in that region. AT last he sent him a
message, and the answer was, tnat the chief
would visit him on the morrow.
True to his appointment, the saohem
came. Judge w received him with
marks of respect, and introduced bis wife,
his daughter and her little boy. The inter.
view that followed was interesting. Upon
its result the Judge was convinced bis secu.
rity might depend, and therefore he was ex-
ceedingly anxious to make favorable i'm
preston upon the distinguished chief. He
expressed bis desire to settle in tho country,
to live on terms of amity and good fellow
ship with the Indians, and to be useful to
them, by introducing among them the arts
Of civilization. $3.50
The chief heard him out, and then said:
Brother, you ask much, and promise much.
What pledge can you give Of your faith?
The white mans word may be good to the
white man, yet it is wind when spoken to
II bave put my life in your hands," said
the Judge; ''is il not evidence of my good in.
tention: / have placed confidence in the
Indian, and will not believe he will abuse or
betray the trust that is reposed." ....
$50 much is we'll, replied the chief; "the
Indian will repay confidence; if you will
trust, he will trust you. Let this boy 20
with me to my wigwam-I will bring him
back in three days, with my arswer!"
If an arrow had pierced the bosom of the
mother she could not have felt deeper pang
than went to her heart, as the Indian made
this proposal. She sprang forward. and,
running to the boy, who stood by the So
chem, looking into his face with pleased
wonder and admiration, she encircod him
in her arms, and pressing him to her bosom,
was about to fly from the room. A gloomy
and ominous frown came ovor the sachem's
brow, but be. did not speak.
But not so with Judge. He knew
that the success of their enterprise-the
lives of his family-depended upon the de-
cision of moment.
."Stay-stay-my daughter" be said;
"bring back The boy, beseech you. He is
not more to you than to me, i would not
risk bair of his head. But, my child, he
must 20 with the chief. God will watch over
him! He will be as safe in the sachem's
wigwam as beneath our own roof"
The agonized mother hesitated moment;
she then slowly returned, placing the boy
on the knee of the chief, and, kneeling al
bis feet. burst into flood of tears. He
arose and departed. t.,. ... .-.
shall not attempt to describe the agony
of the mother for the ensuing three days.
She was agitatod by contonding hopes and
fears. In the night she awoke from sleep,
seeming to hear the screams of the child
calling on the mother for help. But the
time wore slowly away-and the third day
came. How slowly did the hours pass awayl
Noon arrived, yet the sachem came rot
There was gloom over the whole house
hold. Judge W walked the floor to and
fro going every few minutes to the door,
and looking through the opening in the for.
eat towards the sachem's abode,