North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-06-28
.S&(ettT. S tor =,
THE TRAGIC WEDDING.

2
are many have listened TO in the early times
when the red men vainly strived, but wreak-
ing his vengeance on the delenceless settlers
| OF our frontiers, to gain the ascendency gone
from him forever. These tales arc iuvariable
Interesting; first because they are full OF
thrilling incidents, aud then again because
| they are true.
The story of the tragic wedding is one
among the many that have listened to from
the lips of an old friend of mine, Ga pioneer
| ID the settlement of Northern Vermont du-
ring the long winter evenings of l854-when
banishing from mind, as much as possible the
dogmas Of the learned commentator, | betouk
myself to the tiIeside, and gathered pro tit
and recreation from the old mans narratives
Just fifty years ago this very night" be,
gan the old man one evenings. ION the iden
cal spot where 50 ure P--'s house now
stands, occurred tragedy, the remembrance
Of which fills me with horror. 1t was one
Of the mo t cold blooded transactions that. .iu
all my residence in the wilderness, Of seven.
ty years ever came to my knowledge; it
filled the region round about with eonSternB-
ton, causing. mothers to hug more closely
their hell pless infants and heardy men took
no their arms and swear vengeance on the
hrartiess perpetrators. Listen l will tell it
to you.
"a few Of the moro hardy and daring set
lars of l.
their situation there, removed into this then
wild and almost uneXplored region distant
about thirty miles from any settlements and
finding fertile soil and advantageous locar
cation, built themselves log houses and
made c!eariags. Things went ON prosper
ously with them, nd they lived with but
h;tle fear of the Indians, ao none except a
Sragglng hunter or two, had been known TO
visit the vicinity since a battle between a
large party Of settlers and the tribe which
located themselves there occurred, in which
the Indians were signaIly defeated, and more
thna half Of their number slain.
The settlement numbered some twelve
families, who were located in a circuit Of
some miles. My elder brother and sister
were amosg the number Among them as
matter of course was fair sgringliug OF lac $
and lasses, of whom Mary s. was uni
versal lavorte of old and young. and the
telle of the settlement. She was, my young
fir end, girl that was girl not one of your
sentimental, pale faced, wasp wasted, dainty
figured Missess of the present time, but a
bright-eyed blooming and laughing brunette,
who could spin towsand weave cloth ont of
which her dress was made. Oh, she was a
charming girl, ard wherever she went happ.
Iess followed her footsteps. Her guieless
heart shed lis kindly influence all around
her, imparting to all who came in contact
with her kindred feeling. & L#4 Lt4Et
Jack Il was exactly her counterpart!
brave, generous, Intelligent and terprisiDg;
a perfect model ofa man in character as well
as form. At there was always a rival among
| the young beaux of the settlement, in striy-
ing TO gain the favor and appreciation of Ma
ry, so among the girls each strove to gain
| The favor and appreciation of Jack. The
knowing ones among the old folks planned
;Ieel. sch smes sforrutraping the young e6eple
@srro allaices best suited TO their own par
| 'icuar interests !; but Jack and Mary, disre-
sardng the wishes of others, had taken the
| matter into their own hands, like sensible
young people, as they were, and in spite of
| the plotting of old ladies, they had come TO
perfect understanding, and formed aninti
macy which nothing but death could ssunder
CAT the time of which speak this matter
had long been settled, and all the necessary
arrangements made for the wedding of The
'hkeliest couple in the settlement as the old
ladies said, which W as SO to take place on
the annual thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving, according to the procIama-
lion of the worthy governor of the province.
came, and young and old gathered together
at the capacious flor the time) house Of Capt
s., to celebrate the ,nupiials of John and
Mary and ample were the preparations for
the feast. The worthy parson from the next
settle ment were there also, and by his side
Was snother parsonage. with whom in these
iastidious times, II would be- deemed sac
rilege to associate with the man of God-I
mean the fiddler. But things amt now as
they were then. All was joy, all was gai,y
Ah, little did those gathered there dream
of the awful fate that awaited them!
81 was. just twenty two, and having mar
rieG my worthy wife-peace to her mouIder-
ing ashes--only few months before, I was
unprepared TO go with my brother and sis ter,
at the outset but was intending to fellow
them as soon as my affairs could be arranged
had been out q week or two trapping sable,
and knowing what was to como off. make it
my way to be present. The gaiety Of the
party was at its height. The ceremony was
\ L.. III