Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-05-08
5Misfellauu.
For the Freeman.
4 Bit of Romance of Vermont Indian
History


History.
Every nation has more or less Of it, romance
of history that l., combinations of extraor-
dinarv events connected with extraordinary
characters These events and characters
though not appearing to much extent in the
ordinary histories of the countries where
thcs occurred. have Vet generally all been
brought u light among civilized nations
through their different forms Of light litera-
turc. But all such kinds of history among
uncIucatcd nations. who have no writer's to
relate their deeds and doings, are a sealed
h'ok g. the public, or appear only in gIimpses
through their accidental connection with the
ANNALS u civilized people. Prominent among
rho latter should doubtless be placed the
North American Indians, whose history. if
aIl written, would probably furnish materials
f,r hundreds Of Volumes of exploits and wild
adventures. rivaling those of the world :
most boasted heroes or most noted dcspera-
does.
Even the history Of the Vermont Indians.
as -cant and meager a. it Is, will not be found
wanting in it, tragic scenes Of love. revenge.
and their often fearful Accomplishments
The beautiful and extensive meadows
around the Great Ox-bow on Connecticut
river. in the town of Newbury, was, beyond
all other spots in this state, the Paradise of
she Vermont Indians Here. while their
race was receding before the march Of civil
ization, they longest fingered and here.
accordingly. q 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 char
acters, known To tbe settlers under the names
of Captain John and Captain Joe. with whom
and their families the tragic events | am
about to relate We're closely connected.
Captain John had been a fierce and bloody
Indian warrior, who had fought with the
French against the English in all the old
French wars. having been one Of their active
Indian foes at Braddock's defeat. and one of
those who there vainlv tried to shoot the
then Young but heroic Colonel Washington.
who here won the first Of those laurcs that
marked his subsequent ilIustrious career
And vet in our revolutionary war. he left the
British. joining the Americans and, receiv-
iug a captain commission. he led company
of Indians tD assist in the capture of Bur
govne- But this did not wholly redeem him
iu the ewes Of the settlers who regarded him
with fear and distrust. Captain Joe. on the
contrary. was "a great favorite with the set
tiers and he and his wife, Molly, were ever
welcome guests among them Captain Joe.
however. had stcp-son. named Toomalck.
who was the son IF Molly by former hus-
band she having been a widow and who. in
character and feelings wa the very reverse
ot his amiabIc mother and peaceful father
in-law. causing them and the whole Indian
community there. much trouble by his law
less conduct and ferocious and revengeful
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 commu-
nifty. called Mitchell This aroused the worst
passions of the bafflcd lover. and he secretly
vowed revenge by taking the life of his favor
ed rival With this fell design constantly
uppcrmost in his mind. he lurked with
loaded rifle. night after night, round the
camp Of the happy couple. eagerly watching
for an opportunity to accomplish his deadly
purpose And that opportunity at length
occurred One evening he found the door Of
their cabin open. and discovered the two un-
susPecting occupants within sitting lovingly
-ide by side before a bright fire, which
brought their persons distinctly to view.
W 18th cye7 cleaning with fendish satisfac-
ton. ne instantly raised his rifle, and aiming
at his hated rival hurriedly fired when, to
his surprise and vexation, he beheld the in
tended victim bounding unharmed to his
feet, and the fated Lewa, who had received
the bullet intended for her husband. sinking
down in the agonies of death. The murder
er instantly fed, but not till he had been
seen and identified by the bereaved and mad
dencd Mitchell, who soon called council of
his people to try and bring the murderous
wretch TO justice. The council accordingly I
convened, and after patient hearing Of the /
case. came 10 the curious decision that the /
accused Toomalek must be acquitted because .
therefore. was wholly accidental.
Soon after this Toomalek, who was still |
bent on his revenge, met his old rival and
purposely taunted him with the loss of his
wife. that he might provoke assault, when /
the luckless Mitchell, thus goaded TO despera-
tion, made the expected onset and was stabbed |
to the heart by the deadly knife which the
other had concealed for the purpose. An
other council was held over the subtle mur-
derer, and another curious decision was made.
which was that he still must be acquitted