Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-05-24

From the Montpelier Freeman. r
A Bit of Romance of Vermont In
dian History.

cAu"oiuinuIy cNcutS COunccltu WIFI eN-
traordinary characters. These events and
characters, though not appearing TO much
extent in the ordinary histories of the
countries where they occurred, have yet
generally all been brought to light among
civilized nations through their different
forms of light literature. But all kinds of
history among uneducated nations, who
have no writers to relate their deeds and
doings, are sealed book to the public, or
appear only in glimpses through their ac-
cidental connection with the annals Of civ
ilized people. Prominent among the latter
should doubtless be placed .he North
American Indians, whose history, if all
written, would probably furnish materials
for hundreds Of volumes Of exploits and
wild adventures, riyaling those of the
worlds most boas,ed heroes or most noted
desperadoes.
Even the history of the Vermont Indi-
ans, as scant and meagre as it is, will not
be found wanting in its tragic scenes of
love, revenge, and their often fearful ac-
compartments.
The beautiful and extensive meadows
around the Great Ox-bow on The Connec-
tlcut river, in the town of Newbury, was,
beyond all other spots in this State, the
| Paradise Of the Vermont Indians. Here,
while their race was receding before the
march of civilization, they longest fingered;
and here, accordingly, a small remnant of
them were found by the whites in their
| first settlement along the banks of that
magnificent river.
Among this remnant were two noted
characters, known to the settlers under the
names of Captain John and Captain Joe,
with whom and their families the tragic
events am about 10 relate were closely
connected. Captain John had been a fierce
and bloody Indian warrior, who had foug ht
with the French against the English in all
the old French wars, having been one of
4
feat, and of those who there yainly tried
to shoot the then young but heroic Colonel
Washington, who here won the first of
those laurels that marked his subsequent
illustrious career. And yet in our revolu-
tionary war, he left the British, joining the
Americans, and, receiving captains COM
mission, he led a company of Indians to
assist in the capture of Burgoyne. But
this did not wholly redeem him in the eyes
of the settlers, who regarded him with fear
and distrust. Captain Joe, on the contra
ry, was great favorite with the settlers !;
and he and his wife Molly, were ever well
come guests among them. Captain Joe,
however, had a step-son, named Toomalek,
who was the son of Molly by former
husband. she having been widow, and
who, in character and feelings was the very
reverse of his amiable mother and peace
! full father-in-law, causing them AMI the
whole Indian community much trouble by
his lawlesss conduct, ana ferocous and re-
vengefnl disposition.
| In the process of time. Toomalek fell in
love with fair Indian maiden of the name
OF Lewa, who not only rejected his suit
but soon gave him the additional offense of
marrying another young Indian of the
same community, called Mitchell. This
aroused the worst passions Of the bafled
lover, and he secretly vowed revenge by
taking the life Of his favorite rival. With
this fell design constantly uppermost in his
:nind,he lurked, with loaded rifle, night after
night, round the camp of the happy couple,
eagerly watching for an opportunity to ac-
complish his deadly purpose. And that
opportunity at length occurred. One eve
ming he found the door Of their cabin open
and discovered the two unsu pecting oc-
cupants within. sitting lovingly side by
side before bright fire, which brought
their persons distinctly to view. With
eyes cleaning with fiendish satisfaction. be
instantly raised his rifle. and aiming at
his hated rival, hurriedly fired when, to
his surprise and vexation, he beheld the
intended victim bounded unharmed to his
feet, and the fated Lewa, who had re-
ceived the bullet intended for her husband,
sinking down in the agonies Of death. The
murderer Instantly fed, but not till he
had been seen and identified by the be-
reaved and maddened Mitchell, who soon
called a council Of his people 10 try and
bring the murderous wretch TO justice. The
council accordingly convened, and after
patient hearing of the case, came to the
curious decision that the accused Tooma-
lex must be acquitted because he did not
intend to kill Lewa, whose death, there
fore. was wholly accidental
Soon after this, Toomalck, who was still
bent on his revenge, met his old rival and
purposely taunted him with the loss of his
wife that be might provoke an assault,
when the luckless Mitchell thus goaded to
desperation, made the expected onset, and
was stabbed TO the heart by the deadly