Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1868-05-08

TIE FROZEN HEART.
fFrom the New York Mercury.1

lFrom the New York Mercury.1
In the western part Of the State Of Iowa,
there is ridge Of sharp bluffs, which for
some distance Aanks the Missouri river. I,
was here the Indians met in treaty several
years ago, and from the fact city has taken
its name Council Bluffs.
Among the early settlers ia this section Of
the country, there was family by tho name
Of Denver, consisting of father and mother
one son and two daughters, the eldest Of whom
was some sixteen years Of age. She was Z
lovely young crcature-lovely in her innecen,
goodness, and she Was beloved by = young
man named Edwin Hobart.
Hobart had formed this attschment for the
young creature while she yet rsided in the
East; and when her father removed to ths
West, the young man followed. But be had
never been an especial favorite Of the fathe,
and now he appeared to be less 50 than ever
Mary Denver had formerly received the ad
dresses Of the young man with tome degree o
favor, but she saw the dislike her father en-
tertained toward the young man, and although
she could not give any reason for II, she fel
that it could not be without foundation. s.
she frankly informed Hobart that he mus
cease to address her, until her father should
feel differently in the matter.
To this Hobart replied:
"Mary, have loved you long and ten
derly-even from my earliest recollection
l have left my home to follow you. / have
carefully examined every act Of my life, and
can not find an intentional dishonest one. ]
believe your fathers dislike to myself to be
entirely without foundation, But you know
your own feelings. If you viii love me and
consent to be mine, your father will soon
learn that he has hated without cause, II
you reject me, you will SEMI me upon the
world with frozen heart, and God only
knows, in my impulsiveness, what might do
or what would become Of me-"
"This sounds something like threat, +" re
turned the girl, proudly, and she turned away
Two nights after the conversation, the alarm
Of Indians was given. Mothers sprang from
l shSAi SouSASS Auu St0SPCu AuCII littlc VuCt "
their bosoms in terror. Strong men seize,
their weapons, and prepared to defend thei
homes to the last.
One dwelling was already in flames.
few shots had been heard; shrek had aris
en- upon the still night air, and then all wa
still save the cracking FIRE. No other hous'
was molestcd. and the savages appeared tt
have withdrawn.
In . short time the daylight dawned, ant
the neighbors assembled around the desroy
ed home, which proved to be that belonging 4
! Mr.. Denver and his family.
Asearch for ihc inmates was at once insti
tuted. The mother was found horribly mutt
lated and scalped. The son had died, nobly
fighting, as his wounds attested, and III,
youngest daughter was mangled in an equal
ly horrible manner.
A still further search resulted in the dis,
covery of Mr. Denver. lie had crawlcd into Z
ditch for concealmcnt. But ho Was inscn.
.. sible. a.g@
All search for Mary vas rain, she was NO
where to be found.
Among those present was young man who
appeared to be deeply affected by this terrible
decd, and he even wept. But drying his
tears, he exclaimed:
"Imust leave tears for women. Men mus
think Of revenge. Where is Edwin Hobart
He does not seem to be here. Not here! II,
must be found at once. He is a young man
like myself and must become one of the lead
ers in this matter, 1t shall be followed up tt
the bitter end"
Ilobert was nowhere to be found; and Chas
Barry, the weeping man, appeared somewhat
uneasy. Then he limited his suspicious, ant
at last declared openly that if Hobert did no
soon return he soould believe that the deco
was performed under his direction, BY the sa,
ages whom he had employed Allution va.
! then made to the rejection Of Hobart by Mary:
and he was understood to havo made terri
+, bic threat at the time.
Mr.. Denver was now able to speak few
words. lie told them that savages had dom
the work. but that he believed them to be heat
ell by white man in disguise.
"Could that white man have been Edwil
lIobart?' asked Barry.
Mr. Denver remained silent for q timc.
appeared to be difficult question to answer
But he finally said:
"If Hobart had any motive for doing this
and could believe him capable Of doing 81
terrible deed might fl the guilt upon him
for certain it is that the white man is abou
the size Of Hobart, and his movements wer'
much the same"
i "Ih IL the guilty one" said Barry; ian d
/. BY Heavens, he shall suffer !! I'll hunt him e
the very ends Of the earth, but will find lin
and bring him back"
: The day passed, and the excitement increas
ed in the little settlement. Hobart was still
absent. Scouts had been sent out, however
in search Of him; and jus. - night was com
ing on, he was brought back.
], BY this time the excitement had reached
such high pitoh that the infuriated people
could scarcely be restrained from rushing
upon him AMI tearing him TO pieces. But
Barry assumed the command and declared
that everything must be done n order.
The trial was brief one. Hobart could
explain his absence no further than to declare
that he had merely been away on hunt
l This vas unsatisfac ctory.