The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-04
A Thrilling Indian Story.

John Kilbum was one Of the early set.
tiers Of Walpole, n. II. When Col. Benz.
Bellows great grandfather Of the Rev. DR..
H, W. Bellows Of New York; came to the
town to settle, he found Kilburu IN a gar
risoned house about two miles north of
the town. In the summer Of 1855, lthe
year of the breaking out Of the old French
war; two men were shot by Indians.
Shortly before this, an Indian named
Philip had visited Kilburn's house in n
friendly way, pretending to be in want Of
provisions. lie was supplied with flints
and flour, and dismissed. It was ascer-
tained that this same Indian bad visited
all the settlements on the river, doubtless
TO procure information OF the state o.
thelr delcnSes. Word came from Coy.
Shirley that five hundred Indians were
collecting in Canada, whose aim was the
butchery and execution Of the whole Of
the white population On the upper part Of
the Connecticut river.
Col. Bellows had at this time about
thirty men at strong fort which he had
built on hill overlooking the Connect.
cut, about half amie soIth Of Kilburn's,
but too distant to afford him any aid
About noon on the l7th Of August, 1855,
Kilburn and his sen named john, in his
eighteenth year, and also aman named
Peak, and bis son were returning home to
dinner, from the field, when one oil them
discovered the red legs Of Indians among
the aldes "Rs thick as grasshoppcrs.n
The white men instantly made for the
house, fastened the doors and prepared
for an obstinate defense. Kilburn's wife
Ruth, and his daughter lIetty, were al.
ready in the house. In about fifteen
minutes, the savages were seen crawling
up the bank east Of the hotrse, and as they
crossed ot-path, one by one, one hun.
dTed and ninety.seven were counted
about the same. number, il afterwards
proved, had remained in ambush, but Join.
cd the attacking party soon.
The sayagcs appeared to have learned
that Col, Bellows and his men were at
work at his gtistmill, about mile east,
and they intended to wlylly aud murder
them before attacking Kilbui1's house.
The Colonel and his men were now return.
ing home ursuspicious ofdanger, when the
dogs began to growl and betray the
neighborhoOd Of an enemy. The Colonel,
knowing the language Of the dogs and the
wilGs Oi the Indians, instantly adopted
his policy. lie directed bis men, throwing
of the meal, to crawl carefully to the rise
OF the land, and on reaching the top Of the
bank TO spring together to their feet, give
one whoop and instantly drop into the
sweet.fcrn. The movement bad the de.
sired effect to draw the Indians from their
ambush. At the sound Of the whoop,
iancying themselves discovered, the whole
body Of the sayages rose from tue bushes
in semiCircle around the path Col. Bel.
lows was to have followed. His men fired
upon the Indians, who were so diSconcert.
ed that they dartcd into tue bushes and
disappeared. The Colonel, sensible Of his
unequal force, hurried bis men of by the
shortest cut to the fort, and prepared for
its defence
The Indians, finding their plan defeated,
then determined to take vengeance upon
weaker party, and soon appeared on the
eminence east Of Kilburn's house. Here
the same treacherous Philip, who had Wis
tied him and partuken Of his hospitality
so short time before, came forwarlunde
the shelter Ofa tree and summoned tile
little garrison TO surrender. "0ld John,
young John,n cried he, 81 know ye come
out here. We give you good quarters" :"
"Quarter" Yociferatcd old Kilburn, In a
voice of thunder, "you black rascals, be-
gone, or wc'll quarter you u II was
brave reply for four men to make to near.
ly four hundred. Philip returned, and
after short consultation the war-whOOp
rang out, as II, to use the language Of an
ear-witness, 1all the devils in hell had
broke loose" Kilburn was lucky andpri-
dent enough to get the first fire, before
the smoke Of the battle perplexed his aim,
and was confident he saw Philip fall. The
fire from the little garrison was returned
by shower Of balls IRON the savages, who
rushed forward to attack. The roof next
to the eminence from which the attack
was made was perfect "riddle-sieye."
Some Of the Indians tella once to butch
ering the cattle; Others to a wanton d.
structiOn Of the grain, while the larger
part kept up an incessant fire at tina house
MeunNulle hllOuEl huu ula lhSH-aget huu
bis women-were all busily at work. Their
powder they poured into their hats for
greater convenience the women loaded
the guns. Of which they bad several spare
ones-all Of them being kept hot by In.
cossant use. As their stock Of lead grew
short they suspended blankets over their
heads to catch the balls Of their enemy,
which penetrated one side Of the roof and
fell short Of the other, These were i'm
medialcly run by these Spartan women In
to bullets, and before they had time to
cool were sent back to the enemy lrou
whence they came. Several attempts
were made to force the door, but the un
erriug aim Of the narkSmen within sent
such certain death to their assailants, thai
they soon desisted from their Efforts. Most
Of the time the Indians kept behind log
and stumps, and avoided as best they
could the fire Of the little Gibraltar Th'
whole afternoon, even until sundown th'
battle continued, until, as the sunset, th'
the Savagts, unable to conquer 80 small
fortress, discouraged and bat1ed, ionool
the ground, and, as was supposed, rsturne'
to Canada, abandoning the expedition ol
II L ~. a. a IA Il