Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-06-26
THE NIGHT MASSACRE.

gan, and began a settlemen In the will
derp ess. There were fourteen men of
us, six women and seven children, the
oldest of the latter being ten years and
the youngest six months. We took
possession of our new purchase in the
autumn of the year, going thither with
our teams, provisions and few indis-
pensable Housekeeping articles. For the
hrst few days we were compelled to en-
camp, but by the end of a week we had a
block house constructed large enough to
hold all of us, and at the end of month
we had cleared a large space and put up
six substantial cabins.
For two years we progressed to the
extent of our most sanguine hopes, and
the result of our labors and manage
ment was a fourishing little village,
with five additional families, three
births, q saw-mill, grist-mill, several
shows, and a building that served the
double purpose of school house on
week days and chapel on Sundays.
We went to this new region with fear
and trembling, for we knew ourselves
on the extreme border of civilization,
with long range of Indian country be-
yOnd; but when the natives of that vi
cinity came to us with friendly words
and opened a profitable trade we
thought ourselves quite fortunate in
having such neighbors.
One afternoon, toward the latter part
of August, as | was standing in a shop
COnversing with the proprietGr-there
being no other person present except
the owners SOD, youth of thirteen
some six or eight Indians, whose faces
we recognized. came stalking in, single
file, and the foremost hating in front of
Mr.. Bracket, the shopkeeper said alb
ruptly:
We want big drink whisk!"
well, did you bring anything to pay
for it?' inquired Bracket, observing
that not any of the savages carried any
thing in his hand.
Me pay much sometime-by-and-
by-two, four moonlight! goodw
No, Cross John, | can't afford to
trust you any more" replied the shop
keeper. You have been promising to
pay up the old score till | don't believe
a word you say"
Me gentleman-me payne no
lie" replied the savage, with an angry
frOwn and q flash OF his eve, as he
height, and struck his breast almost
fercely.
Cross John-so named from an ugly
scar across his face-was q drunken,
worthless fellow, who had some infiu-
ence In his tribe, and was not to be al
together despised for that reason. He
might never pay what he owed, it is
true; but still [ did not think it good
policy to treat him discourteously. So
| SAID to Bracket:
Let Cross John and his companions
have drink all round and charge it to
me-" :
Cross John turned toward me, nodded
his head, held out his hand, and said:
Good, you gentleman"
O. lie shall not have a drop more out
of this shop till he pays for all he has
hadp' cried Bracket, who was very
fiery, determined man when reused.
He has lied to me three times at least
and | am resolved to show no more IA
vOrs till he redeems his character, OF
makes some attempt to do So"
On hearing these words, the Indian
seemed to lose all control over his tenn
per, and be wholly governed by wick
ed impulse. Quick as lightning he
whipped out his knife from his belt,
and made a blow at the shopkeeper
who was on the other side of the coun-
ter. Bracket saw his intention, sprang
back, laid his hand upon pistol, and
before | could interfere fired, and
lodged the contents in the breast of the
savage, who fell back with yell OIL
rage. The catching up loaded rifle
that was near at hand, the shopkeepel
pointed it at the remaining Indians
who, with yells Of dismay turned anc
fled.
All this passed SO quickly that coull
hardly believe that a tragedy had taker
place till saw the Indian, deserted by
his companions, bleeding and dyins
alone at my very feet. Istooped dowr
and raised him up, but he only fetched
one long, gurgling gasp, and expired il
my arms, his eyes fairly glazing il
death while fixed upon Bracket will
an expression of the most malignan
hate.
OF course the firing and yells of the
fetreating Indians created a wild alarm
throughout the village, and in few
minutes the shop was crowded with ex
cited men, women and children, al
eager to learn the cause and the result
Of the affray. A few words made the
whole affray known, and while many
were disposed TO think that Bracke
was justified in what he had done, thu
majority believed, with me, that he haC
been too insulting aud too rash, consid
ering our exposed locality and com
paratively defenseless condition. Blu
the deed was done-there was no alter
ing that-and though no jury IN The
world night bring in any other verde
than iustifiahle homicide vet it did no
follow that the Indians would view i
III that light.
Men flew to arms, all kinds Of labo,
and business ceased, and all the womer
and children, with plenty of provisions
and small articles of value, were hur
ried into the block house. Then by 10
tie men We're divided into two parties
one of which was to garrison the bloci
house and defend it to death In case o
attack, and the other to act as sentries
scouts and pacifcators in case the fly
ing Indians could be overtaken anC
treated with on any reasonable terms.
| need not go into details here. Suf
fee it to say that it fell to my lot to q
in pursuit of the Indians that had flee
after the dea,h of Cross John, and
being we'll mounted, overlook them
few miles from the village. As | wa
alone, it required some screwing up o
my courage to ride right into the mids
of them. and thus place myself in thei