The Republican journal., 1869-03-11
From the Montpelier Argus and Patrotl
John Kilburn's Fight with the Indians

mont, were so frequent, and so many either
fell victims to the tomahawk and scalping-
knife, or were torn from their friends aud
homes, and borne away into more dreaded
captivity, that lone Indian, lean and hun
CRY iu appearance, raped at the door of
John kllburn, who was one of the first
settlers of Walpole, New Hampshire. The
door was opened by Mrs. Kilburn, but on
seeing the native she uttered faint excla-
nation of alarm and surprise, and was on
the point Of closing it Immediately when
the friendly tones of the man dispelled her
fears.
"Humph,' he exclaimed, "squaw should
Mt be scare. Ingi Il do no harm"
"What do you want?' asked Mrs. Kill
burn.
''Ingin be very faint, aud he want bread. y
The kind woman invited the strange yis-
itor to walk iu, aud set before him some
food. He spoke but little English, yet he
was very direct i'll his questions and re-
plies. He sau his name was Philip,-that
he lived to the Westward-that he was
friendly to the whites, and that they were
very kind to him.
During his short stay he so enlisted the
sympathles Of the houshold that lie was
loaded with provisions, and vas invited by
Mr.. klburu TO come again. After asking
many questions about the troubles with the
Indians, and their means of defence, aud
expressing his thanks tor the fayors he had
received, he took his departure
After he had gone, Mr.. Klburn reflected
more critically upon his appearance, and
upon the questions he had asked, and some
slight misgivings arose in his mind in re-
Ialion to the sincerity of his visitor and,
although he did not regret the hospitality
he had shown him, he felt very glad that
he had not understated their ability to cope
with the enemy.
His apprchensions were very much
strengthened when, on the following day.
he received intelligence from more south
ern settlements, and learned that the same
Philip had visited several places along the
river, asking the same questions, and tell
ing a similar story.
Mr.. kilburn's household consisted at this
time of himself and wife, his son John, his
daughter Hattie, and two men, Mr.. Peak
and llo SUI WIN lcolueu with t!lelD. MS
dwelling was strong block house, provid-
ed with loop holes, and they We're we'll
armed.
lh a few days after this event informa-
tlon was received from Gov. Shirley that q
large number OF Indians were collecting in
Canada, with the supposed intention Of
making an attack upon the frontier settle
ments, and Mr.. kilburn could bat coniec-
ture that Philip was a spy, semi out to as
certain their situation and their means OF
defence.
IL fear, Ruth" he said to his wife few
days after their visit from the Indian, "that
we may see trouble. | think that Philip,
who made us such q gracious call was Il
bird Of ilI-omen.'
81 am surprised to hear you say so,' an
swered the woman 'you are not subject
to dubious m'sgivinys."
at ain't best to be alarmed, only be pre-
pared. John and me, with Mr.. Peak and
his son, assisted by two brave women like
you and Hatty, in louise like ours, can
repel something Of an attack
''Supposing you 90 down to Bellows
Fort aud procure few extra guns" said
the heroic woman. ''In case OF an attack
Hatty and | could do something, perhaps" ,"
IL will do so, Ruth. We will show them
that we can defend our OWN hreside.'
The fort alluded to by MIS-. Kilburn was
the strong house Of Col. Benjamin Bellows,
about Il half mile south Of Kilburn's. which
was we'll constructed to Withstand an al
tack, and was at that time garrisoned by
thirty men.
The male members Of Mr.. Kilburu' S
household had been in the field attending
to the labors Of the season, and were re-
turning to the house for their dinner, when
Mr.. Peak chanced to glance in the direc-
ton Of an alder meadow, that being the
name by which they designated small
swale of land near the house, and was sur
prised to perceive the bushes in a state OF
agitation as though men or animals were
rushing through them. He called the at
tentiou of his companions to the crcum-
stance, and, on looking low, they saw the
feet and legs of indians in great numbers,
as they were huddled together among the
alders.
"There are the wild savages!" shouted
AaAl. AllutlIu III dlttflil, LuCy are lliick
as grasshoppers To the house with all
speed J"
The house was soon gained, aud the doors
securely fastencd then, through the open
Ing left for the purpose of observation i'll
the walls Of the house, the inmates peeped
out to ascertain the movements of the Toe.
There was a foot path on the East of the
house which the savages found it necessary
to cross, aud, IN doing so, each man pre-
sened himself in full view, and the little
party in the house counted one hundred
and ninety-seyen, as they crossed the path.
Well might this feeble garrison have felt
dlsheartened, but their courage fai.ed not
and perhaps it would have endured had
they known the fearful truth that they had
seen only about half their enemy The
nerves OF John Kilburn seemed to strength
en- for the emergency, and he gave direc-
tions with as much cooiness as he would
have superintended the labor of his field.
The guns and ammunition were all arrang-
ed for use, and each man took his position.
l. was assigned to the women that they
loaded the pieces, and passed them up to
their defenders.
After short consultation the Indians
eaan,ad tn have dacIde1 unon a coursa nj