Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-04-28

anu lNeu, luctcAu VI iN'"'"o
the Audroscoggin they camo
across lots through the territory now
comprising the towns Of Upton. Grafton
and Newry, striking the Androscoggin
at point near where it receives the
waters OF the Bear river. This ispoint was
about midway between the two settle
mcnts in Bethel. These friendly rela'
tions continued through the spring and
early part OF the following summer.
Fully alive 10 The Importance of keeping
on good terms with the Indians. the set
tiers spared no pains TO cultivate their
friendship and earn their good Will.
But rs the season advanced, great
change was manifest in the conduct oil
their copper colorcd visitors. They grew
morose and surly and often appeared in
their war paint. On being questioned
they failed to give any satisfactory rea'
sons for The change. They would talk
in their own language and appeared 10
be in great good humor among them.
selves, but were surly and insolent TO
the settlers. The settlers paid LILLE
heed to them and kept about their work ,
knowing no reason why the Indians
should iniure them, and therefore, hav-
Ing but little fear of them.
On the third day OF August, lISl, Se'
gar happened TO be at work in the upper
settlement in tue western part OF the
town, when it was visited by six Indians
direct from Cnuada. Ono of them nam.
ed Toinbegan, was we'll known TO Segar,
having often visited his house. They
were decked out in their feathers and
war paint and were armed with guns,
tomahswks and scalping knives. Segar
with Capt. E!cazcr Twitchell and iona.
than Clarke were at work near piece Of
woods, when these Indians dashed out
and informed them with threatening
gestures and language, that they were
prisoners and must go with lhcn 10 Can
ada. Mr. ClarLe'S house bsing near by,
the Indian, took their prisoners there and
bound them and ordered them 10 keep
quiet on pain of instant death. They
then robbed the house OF everything
valuable and carried their plumber away.
They found, besides clothing and provis-
ions, about sixteen dollars in han d money
and several gallons of rum. While they
were plundering the housc. Mrs. Clara
succeeded in hiding her husbands silver
watch in the ashes so thai they did not
get il. In attempting to take her gold
beads lrom her neck, the string broke
and scattered them over the floor. AZ
ter they were gone she succeeded in
finding most Of them. They also at.
tempted 10 take the silver buckles from
her shoes. but She beratcd them so that
they dcsistcd. Watching his opporIuni.
ty, while the Indians were eager in
search of p,undcr, Capt TwilchelI slip
ped from the house and made for the
woods, whore he so eiTeclualy secreted
himself among the logs That The Indians.
alter they had missed him. failed to find
him. After The Indians left, Mrs. Clark
hid herself in The vosds and remained
all night within few feet Of Capt.
Twilchers hiding place without being
AWARE of his proximity, and in the nom.
ing they both returned in safety 10 their
homes.
While the Indians were plundering Mr..
Clark's house, another Indian came in,
having Mr.. Benjamin Clark as = prisoner,
and after they had taken everything OF
value from the house. thay packed their
plunder with which they heavily loaded
lhcm.elvcs and their prisoners and com.
mcnccd their march. The hands Of the
prisoners were securely bound and with
heavy hearts they took up tho line OF
march toward Canad,. 1t was nearly
dark when They started and after having
travelled about two miles they stopped
for the night in n deserted camp which
had formerly been occupied by Mr.. Peter
Austin, who had commenced 10 fall trees
10 make farm. but happily for him, he
was now absent. 1t was dismal night
for the poor captivcs. Snatched away
from their friends, who they knew would
be deeply anxious on their account, and
not knowing what might befall them,
they suffered the kcencst mental anguish.
The IL dians according 10 their custom
searched the camp for plunder and found
n quantity of sugar and two guns. One
of the guns they broke and the other
they took away with them. The capiives
were ordered 10 lie down and the Indians
campcd around them. SeSar and his
fellow captives did not c'ose their eyes
in sleep during the night and before
light on The following morning they re-
sumed their march. Fearing that they
might attempt 10 escape, the Indians
tigh,cned the cords with which they
were bound, SO that their hands became
swollen and painful. In the darkness
one Of the savages lost his tomahawk
and accused Scgar with having stolen it,
and if another Indian had not interlered,
he would probably have given him
blow which would have ended his life
and captivity together.
The Indians did not return the way in