The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1872-03-15
A THRILLING INDIAN STORY

| ~ lhNlLLlN0 lNOlAN D1 ONi
John Kilburn was one Of the early set
tiers Of Walpole; N. II. When Col, Ben
Bellows (great grandfather Of tho Rev.
DR.. Il, W, Bellows OF New York, came
to the town to settle, he found kilburn in
q garrison house about two miles north Of
the town. In the summer Of 1855, 0he
year Of the breaking out Of the old Frcuch
war, two men we're shot by Indians
Shortly before this, an Indian named
Philip had visited Kilburu's house in
a friendly way pretending to be in want Of
provisions. He was supplied with fiuts
and flour, aud dismissed. 1t was ascer.
taiucd that this same Indian had visited all
the settlements on the river, doubtless to
procure information Of the stale of their
defense. Word cane from Gov. Shirley
that five hundred Indians were collecting
lin Canada, whose aim was the butchery
and execution Of the whole Of the white
population Of the upper part the connec-
ticut river.
Col. Bellows had at this time about
thirty tnen at strong fort which he had
built on hill which overlooked the Con-
nec,icst. atonthalf milesouth of Kill.
burns, but,oodisiant to oafford,him anyail.
Aboutuoon on thels.h Of August, 1855,
Kllburpand his son named John, in his
eigbtecnthyear and also mannamcd Peak,
and bis son were returning home to dinner
from the field, when one Of them discover
ed the red legs Of Indians among tine al.
dcrs "as thick as grasshopper's." The
White men instantly made for tho house,
fastened tho doors and prepared for on OBJ.
stinate defense. Killburu's wife Ruth,
and bis daughter Hetty, were already in
tho house. In about fifteen minutes the
;savagrs were seen crawling up the bank
east Of the house, and as they crossed. o
foot.path, one by one, one hundred and
dinety.scvcn we're counted; about the same
number, ita(terwards proved, had remained
in ambush, but joined the attacking party
soon.
The savages appeared.to have learned
that Col, Bellows and his men were at
work at his gristmill, about q mile east
they intended to. waylay aud murder them
before attacking Killburu's house, The
Colonel aud his men were now returning
home unsuspicious Of danger, when the
dogs began to growl sud betray the neigh
borhood an enemy. The Colonel, know
ing the language Of the dogs and the wiles
Of the Indians, instantly adopted his poll
|c,. He directed bis men to throw Oft
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
swest.fern. The movement had the dcsir-
cd effect to draw the Indisns from ambush.
AT the sound Of the whoop, fancying them
selves discovered, the whole body Of the
sayapes rose from the bushes in semicir.
Gle around the path Col. Bellows was to
have followed. His men fred upon the
Indians, who were SO disconnected thai
they darted into the bushes and disappear
ed, The Colonel, sensible Of bis unequa
force, hurried bis men off by the shortes
cut to the fort, and prepared for its de-
fcnsc.
The Indians, finding theirplan defeated
then determined to take vengeance upon
weaker party, aud soon appeared on th
enemies east Of Killburn's house. Her
the same treacherous Philip, who bad vic
: ted him and partakcn Of bis hospitality 81
E short time before, came forward uDde
the shelter Of q tree and summoned the lit
!. tie garrison to surrender "old John
!, Young John" cried he, II know ye; com
out here. We give you good quarters
l"Quartes!' vocifesatsd old Kilburn, in