Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-06-28
Scranton Correspondence New York Times.
Recalling q Bloody Day.

THE MASSACRE AT wYoMISG-PREPARATIoSS To
CELEBRATE ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
on JULY THIRD AND FoURTH-THE STORY OF
THE BATTLE AND MAssACEE-A MIMIC REPRE-
sENTATIoN To BE GIVEN WITH THE AID OF A
BAND OF INDIANS.
The elaborate preparations in progress
among the people OF Pennsylvania for cen
tennial commemoration OF the battle and
massacre OF Wyoming, recall one of the most
thrilling incidents of the revolution. The
name of Wyoming and its sad history have
obtained worldwide fame, and naturally
the thousands who have been stirred by the
recital of its woes, will feel an interest In the
forthcoming celebration, which will occur on
the 3rd and 18th of July next. the first being
the date OF the battle and massacre. The
preparations for the demonstration were be-
gun on the ninety-ninth anniversary OF the
event. when a number of the gallant yeomen
who fought and fell met and organized an in
fluential association, with subcommittee
scattered throughout the valley to attend to
the details. The heartiness with which they
entered upon their work and the enthusiasm
with which the public have seconded their
efforts warrant the hope that the affair will
be worthy of the occasion which it is design
ed to honor.
The invasion of the valley was accom-
plished on the 3rd of July IT'S. when a
number of British soldiers, commanded by
Col. John Butler, and accompanied by 700
Indians. by the cruel halt-breed, Brant, or
Gi-en-gwah toh, descended upon the de-
fenceless settlement. They were met by a
few companies of old men and boys, whose
extreme age and youth had exempted them
from service in the distant ranks of the re-
public, anu for several hours n fierce battle
ragged on the banks of the Susquehanna.
But the conquest was unequal. The Indians
from their ambush kept up a deadly flank
fire, which soon thnned the ranks of the
yeomen, and, utterly shattered, they were
forced to fall back, despite the appeals OF
their courageous leader. Col Zebulon Butler,
cried, Don't leave me, my children, and the
day is ours" The Indians, seeing their foes
retreat, fell upon them and slaughtered, with
out mercy, men. women and children.
When the Six Nations espoused the Eng
lish cause against the colonies. it was part of
the compact that the latter should lead them
against Wyoming, to afford them an oppor-
tunity of being avenged upon the settlers,
whom they regarded rs the usurpers of the
red mans paradise, n name sometimes given
to the valley and so, the first skirmish be-
ing over, the Indians gave full scope TO the
spirit of destruction which possessed them,
and breaking away from their their leaders.
they reaped a terrible revenge upon the gen.
tie people of that Arcudian abode. About
300 were put to death with torch, tomahawk
and spear regardless of nGe or sex, and the
most cruel fortunes that hendlsh spirit
could devise were employed To make the last
lingering moments OF their victims full of
agony An awful night followed that day of
carnage The huts and homes, the crops
and orchards were set on fire. and the devas-
tation of the entire settlement was made
complete Several were drowned III their
efforts to escape down the river under the
cover of night, but party of hundred wo-
men and children succeeded III making their
way to the mountains under the leadership
OF one old man, who was their sole protector.
But though they He'd from the terrors of the
massacre. it was to encounter hardships
equally severe. Their path lay through the
Great Swamp, now known Ms the Shades of
Death, by reason OF the numbers who had
persisted there and the sutlerings they en-
dured from fear and famine and sickness are
unmatched by anything ON record. One
poor woman. whose babe died IA. her breast
in u vain effort to obtain nourishment, car
ried her dead darling ~ miles rather than
leave the precious burden behind To iall
prey to the wolves; and mauy other incidents
of love and devotion Hre related Only a few
survived the fatigue OF the march and the
plague which overlook them III the swamp.
The bodies OF those who were massacred in
the Wyoming Valley lay unburied on the
plain tor months, until II detachment of sol
diers gathered them together one night and
consigned them to large hole in the ground,
fearful lest more respectful interment might
excite the enmity of the Indians, who were
still providing about the neighborhoOd. The
rt suit was That the exact location of the re-
mains was unknown To the friends OF the
dead for many years. and their discovery at
last was mere accident. An unassuming
obelisk commemorative of the virtues of the
fallen heroes has been raised over their rest
ing place by the patriotic women Of Wyo-
ming. and is visited every summer by hun
dreds of persons attracted to the scene by
spirit Of reverence or curiosity.
In order to make the coming centennial as
realistic rs possible number of huts are in
process of erection along the river. to look
exactly like those which stood there loo years
ago, and the old forts are being rebuilt.
tribe of friendly Indians detailed their chief
IL few days ago to wait on the committee OF
and offer their services. in full
costume, and their appearance Will doubtless
aid the picturesque features of the represen-
tation President Hayes and II number of
men prominent in politics and literature have
also signitied their intention of being pres
ent. The first day will be devoted to odes
and oratious commemorative of the event
The words of Il poem 10y Miss Susan L. Dick
inson have been set to music, and VIII he
sung by 100 VOICES and n similar contribu-
ton has been made by another accomplished
lady who retires behind the nom,de plane of
.'Stela of Lackawanna' The programme
for the Fourth OF July consists of n grand
pageant, participated in by the civic and