The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-09-24

AO6Icu uO"n buo ELNcE "Lth blb hOESoJ uhoAA
below the American lines, and then reaching
the shore, made his way safely to the highlands
south of the Tallspoosa.
After this, the last and most desperate OF the
Creek battles, the hostile Indians generally
came in and surrendered to jackson. During
the engagement, when all hope seemed lost,
Jackson, unwilling to destroy so brave people,
sent them word to confide in his clemency and
yield Themselves prisoners of war. They an
swered only by shouts of defiance and threats
of uncompromising hostility.
AS the chiefs came in and submitted. jackson
refused to treat of peace until the Red Eagle
should be delivered up, dead or alive. At this
juncture Weatherford might have made his es-
cape to Florida. but scornipg to abandon his
defenceless people, and although Informed that
price had been set upon his head, he deter
mined to give himself up to the American com
mander.
Riding calmly up to the tent of Jackson, he
dismounted from his splendid steed, and with
arms crossed upon his chest, awaited the gen.
erals arrival.
Jackson hearing of Weatherford's presence,
rushed out excited and surprised, and ex'
claimed, in furious manner:
How dare you, sir, ride up to my tent after
numbering the women and children of Fort
Mims!
Weatherford's reply has been given by many
pens, but for nobility of thought, simple
grandeur and heroic pride, We think the his
torical account by A. J. Pickett the finest OF
them all:
"Gen. Jackson, am not afraid of you, fea
no man, for 1 sm d Creek warrior. 1 have
oLo1f e
can kill me, if you desire. But come to beg
you to send for the woman and children of thu
war party, who are now starving in the woods
Their fields and cribs have been destroyed By
your people who have driven them to the
woods without an ear of corn. I hope tina
you will send out parties who will safely con
duct them here, that they may be fed.
exerted myself in vain to save the women
and children of Fort Minis. 1 am now don,
Sighting. The Red Sticks are nearly all killed
If could fight you any longer, would do Sc
send for the women and children, they never
did you any harm. But kill me if the white
people want it DONE"
This brave reply disarmed the vengeance o
the fiery jackson, and turning his flashing eye
upon the men who crowding round were call
ing out kill hin. -! Kill him Kill him he com
manded silence, exclaiming in emphatic terms
"The man who would kill as brave a man a
| this would rob the dead"
For many years after the war, Weatherford'
| life was constantly in danger from relatives o
| those who had fallen at Fort Minis bat even
| tually he settled down in the 10 er portion Of
| Monroe county, where he lived the life of
| farmer much respected by American citizen
| for his bravery, honor, and strong native sense
| He died in 1924 from the fatiguing effects of
desperate bear-hunt.
| One instance is given of his singular courag
and frmness of purpose. A desperate named
Caller, who had murdered an old and inoffen
sive citizen, and who defied the sheriff to ar
rest him, swore he would kill the first mar
who attempted to do 60. A posse had been
summoned to the village of Claib borne, bnt wer,
deferred from their duty by the threats of thu
criminal. Some one suggested that the famou
Cbieftsin was in the neil hborbood, and if SUN
moned woold take him. The sheriff applied t.
the chief and asked him if he would make tn,
attempt.
eff you order me, will do my duty" wa!
| Weatherford's reply. -" Then l order you t.
take him, dead or alive, said the sheriff, and
the two proceeded to tho place. Caller was
standing in the market place with drawn
butcher knife in his hand. Weathorford drew
knife from his belt, and walking calmly ~
to kim, ordered him to surrender. He replied
in husky voice, keep off )" but Weatherford
fixing his eagle eye upon him, continued tx
advance. Instantly Caller dropped the poin
of his knife, and saying" 1 will not resist you
Bill Weatherf0rd," allowed himself to be hand
ed over to the officers. When Weatherford wa
asked what he would have done in case of re
sistance, he said, 81 ii 1ed my eye upon him. L
he had moved one muscle to strike, 1 SHOULD
have lodged his blow, and cut his throat be
fore he recovered"
The criminal had read this purpose in tn
chieftain's face, and knew that he was in tn
hands of a master-mnd Westherford left be
hind him family of children, who have inter
married with Alabamians, and are highly re
spected for many excellent traits of character
The lady beneath whose hospitable roof W
write this imperfect sketch of the great CHIEF
tain has met his descendants in many bal