Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-12-24
A Thrilling Adventure.
BY II. NJ. HUGUNIN.

WHEN the ill-lated steamer Lady Elgin
went down on Lake Michigan, drowning
three hundred gay revelcrs, on that tenn
pestut us morning Of the 9Th of September,
1860, the Hon. William Farnsworth, of
Sheboygan, VISA pioneer of the North
west, md gentleman whom his acquaint-
ances delighted to honor-shared her dis
astrous fate. Nearly sixty years ago, he
settled in the wilds of Wisconsin, the only
white man who, in that part of the Union,
preferred life in the midst of the alb
origines at that early day. His business
was that of trader, and his primitive
storehouse contained such simple articles
of merchandise rs beftted the fancy and
necessities of his dark-skinned customers,
and served as barter for tle rich furs
and peltries in which they dealt. 1t was
not long before his dignifed and upright
character as dealer succeeded in pro-
ducing the desired result, and his business
rapidly increased. For time all went
smoothly and satisfactorily; but the
treachcrous Indians soon found in him
something which not only made him Of
| fensive to them, but led them to seek his
life. This last measure, however, was
secretly formed, and it was only through
| the agency of friendly native that he
was enabled to discover their design.
There was no noisy commotion among
them. All was still and serpent-like, with
a stern determination. No threats or
menaces escaped their sealed lips, yet
there was wicked expression in every
eye.
The shades of night had fallen, and Mr..
Farnsworth stood behind the counter III
his store, which was dimly lighted by two
candles, while the door stood widely open
to permit free ingress. A single Indian
entered armed and blanketed, passed him,
with grunt of recognition, and silently
stalked to the rear ofthe apartment, where
he squatted upon his launches. Another
followed, in the same manner, and, singly,
came others-ten, twenty, forty-all full
armed each seating himself on the floor
beside the first, in rear of the store. Mr..
Farnsworth felt that crisis had arrived,
and with an active mind and a fearless
heart he quickly determined upon a
course of conduct, which, if it did not
succeed in releasing him, unharmed, from
the dilemma in which he was placed,
would completely route and destroy his
enemies with himself, at one fell stroke
To show the slightest degree OF fear OF
anxiety would but hasten a denOuenle't
which had undoubtedly been agreed upon
In the meantime, one by one, more than O
hundred of the Indians had gathered in
the store, and ominous murmurs began u
reach his ears. One Indian spoke: Big
warrior me! Ugh fight at Tippecanoe
me no 'fraid ~
"Me, too-me fight at Tippecanoe mt
fight more, bimeby y added another, with
an air of mystery. Me, tOo-me NJ
'fraid-ugh sgudio 'fraid. Warrior NJ
'fraid |" said third and similar expires
sions found general utterance among
them,
Mr.. Farnsworth saw that they were al
"blowing," or boasting, for some undefineC
purpose, for he knew that none OF then
were present at the battle of Tippecanoe
To humor them, and to gain time and
more definite idea Of the fate that awaited
him, he pleasantly Joined in the converse
tion, with as little truth in what he said a
there was in what he heard: inns war
rior, too" he said. 81 killed big Indial
Tecumseh, I'm pale-iace brave" Their
was not tremor in his voice, nor shad
on his features as he spoke-nOthing, in
deed, to indicate a suspicion that he knew
auglf of the impending crisis.
His empty boast and manly bearing
however, were not without their effect, 10
he saw at glance that the Indians ha(
suddenly relapsed into silence, or wer
conferring together in whispers. He fel
that the time had arrived for immediat
operations on his part. Beneath the coun
ter was keg nearly filled with gunpow
der, from which the head had been re
moved, and within his reach stood
lighted candle. STOPPING down, with HI
finger he formed an impromptu candle
stick in the very center of the mass q
powder. Then snuiflng the lighted vic
very closely, he placed the edges of hi
hands, with the palms upward, aroun
the candle, in order to catch any accident
5 al sparks which might fall while he wa
moving it. Lifting il in this manner froT
its receptacle he placed the candle in a
upright position into the hole prepare
for it in the powder, and carefully II
4 moved his hands. Then he raised hin
! self up from his perilous task, and stoo
4 calmly near il 10 await the catastrophe
But his movements had been noticed b
! one Of the Indians, who, being actuate
Y by that Characteristic curiosity which ,
times oyerpowers every other feeling
D the savage breast, leaned over the countt
and saw the candle burning brightly
the keg of powder. Not sound escape
him, but with wondering glance at Il
+ pale aud intrepid merchant, he wake
Q rapidly and silently out Of the store. II
sudden exit attracted the attention
!, another warrior, who also peered ca
tinusly over the counter, saw the DANCE