Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-05-13
A FRONTIER SKETCH.
BY HENRY CHESTER.

In the western part Of the State Of
Iowa, there is a ridge Of sharp bluffs
which for some distance fanks the Mis-
souri, river. It was here the Indians met
in treaty several years ago, and from the
fact city has taken its name-Council
Bluffs.
Among the early settlels Of this sec
lion of the country, there was a family
by the name of Denver, consisting OF
father and mother, one son and two
daughters, the eldest Of whom was some
sixteen years of age. The was lovely
Young creature-lovely in her innocent
goodness, and she was beloved by young
man named Edwin Hobart.
Hobart had formed this attachment
for the young creature while she yet re-
sided in the East; and when her father
removed to the West. the young man fol
lowed. But he had never been an es-
pecial favorite with the father, and now
he appeared to be les so than ever.
Mary Denver had formerly received
the addresses Of the young man with
some favor, but she saw the dislike her
father entertained toward the young man,
and although she could not give any rea-
son for it, she felt that it could not be
without foundation. So she frankly in
formed Hobart that he must cease to ad-
dress her, until her father should feel
differently in the matter.
To this Hobart replied ::
"Mary I have loved you long and ten
derly-even from my earliest recollection.
I have left my home to follow you. I
have carefully examined every act Of my
life, and [ cannot find an Intentional dis
honest one. | believe your fathers dis
like to myself to be entirely without
foundation. But you know your own
feelings. If you will love me and consent
to be mine, your father will soon learn
that he has hated without a cause. If
you reject me, you will send 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, J"
returned the girl, proudly, and she turned
away.
Two nights after the conversation, the
alarm of Indians was given. Mothers
sprang from their couchos and clasp ed
their little ones to their bosoms in terror
Strong men seized their weapons, and
prepared to defend their homes to the
lasts r.s .....
One dwelling was already in flames A
| few shots had been heard, o shrek haC
arisen upon the still night air, and ther
all was still save the cracking fire. N
other house was molested, and the say
ages appeared to have Withdrawn.
In a short time the daylight dawned
and the neighbors began to assembl,
around the destroyed home, which prov
ed to that belonging to Mr.. Denver anC
his family.
A search for the inmates was at once
instituted. The mother was found hor
ribly mutiIated and calped. The son hat
died, nobly fighting, as his wounds attest
ed, and the youngest daughter was man
gled in an equally horrible manner.
A still further search resulted in th
discovery of Mr.. Denver. He had beer
scalped, but was still alive, and hat
crawled into a ditch for concealment
But he was insensible.
All search for Mary was vain, she wa
no where to be found.
Among those present was young MAJ
man who appeared to be deeply atfecte'
by this terrible deed, and he ever wept
But drying his tears he exclaimed:
81 must have tears for women. Me-
must think of revenge. Where IS Ed
win Hobart" ..sJ
"He does not appear to be here" y
"Not here He must be found at once
He is young man, like myself, ant
must become one Of the leaders in thi
matter. 1t shall be followed up to tn
bitter end"
Hobart was nowhere to be found; an,
Charles Barry, the weeping man, appear
ed somewhat uneasy. Then he hinte'