Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-06-25
THE NIGHT MASSACRE.

uln. anu UGSdll IL SClllt'ljltUt Ill VIC VIII
derpess. There were fourteen men OF
us. six women and sever children, the
oldest Of the latter being ten years and
the Youngest six months. We took
possession of Our new purchase in the
sutunn of the year, going thither with
our teams, provisions and n few indis-
pensahle housekeeping articles. For the
first few days we were compelled TO en-
camp, but by the end of a week chad a
block. house constructed large enough to
hold all of us, and at the end Of IA month
We had cleared a large space and put up
six substantial cabins.
For two years W. progressed to the
extent of our most sanguine hopes, and
the result of Our labors and manage
ment was a hourishing little village.
with five additional families, three
births, a saw.mill, a grist-mill, several
shows, and a building hat served the
double purpose of a school house on
week days and a chapel on Sundays.
We went to this new region with fear
and trembling, for we knew ourselves
on the extreme border of civilization,
with a long range of Indian country be-
You'd; but when the natives of that vi
entity came to us with friendly words
and opened a profitable trade We
thought ourselves qHite fortunate in
having such neighbors.
One afternoon, toward the latter part
Of august, as | was standing in a shop
converslng with the proprietor-there
being no other person present except
the owners SOD, a youth of thirteen
spn,a u v or aInht Indians nhnSn 60 nnS
we recognized. canle stalking in, single
file, and the foremost halting in font of
Mr.. Bracket, the shopkeeper said ab-
ruptly:
4 We want big drink whisk.'
well, did you bring anything to pay
Y for ii?' inquired Bracket, observing
that not any Of the savages carried any
thing in his hand.
Me pay much sometime-by-and-
by-twO, four moon-ugh, good!'
"No, Cross John, I 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
le.' replied the savage, with an angry
irown and a flash OF his eye, as he
Enlightened himself up to his full
height, and struck his breast almost
iiercely.
Cross John-so named from an ugly
scar across his face-was a drunken,
worthless fellow, who had some influ-
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
Isud to Bracket:
Let Cross John and his companions
aaye q drink all round and charge it to
me-"
Cfoss John turned toward me, nodded
DIS head, held out his hand, and said:
= TODD, you gentleman
lie shall not have a drop more out
VI inns shop till he pays for all he has
aad" cried Bracket, who was a very
4gLy, determined man when reused.
ne has lied to me three times at least,
anu am resolved to show no more ia
.orS TIL he redeems his character, or
-"@Aes some attempt to do So"
OA hearing these words, the Indian
SEEMED to lose all control over his tenn
TT ana be wholly governed by a wick
~ impulse. Quick as lightning he
@Dpped out his knife from his belt,
anu made a blow at the s~hopkeeper,
"-o was on the other side Of the coun-
S' bracket saw his intention, sprang
S'CN' lad his hand upon a pistol, and
o'iofe | could interfere fired, and
@1sea the contents in the breast of the
wage, vino fell back with a yell Of
AZ Ihe catching up a loaded rifle
@'a' was near at hand, the shopkeeper
r5"'eu 1t at the remaining Indians,
lII' WITH yells of dismay turned and
al tins passed so quickly that I could
r,y oeleve that a tragedy had taken
Il0e ti' saw the Indian, deserted by
mpanlons, bleeding and dying
sr5 at my very feet. Istooped down
NV 'a'sed him up, but he only fetched
NV 'yus' gurgiing gasp, and expired in
IL, arms his eyes fairly glazing in
a W WINE liked upon Bracket with
sg,l preston Of the most malignant
., course the firing and yells of the
~ .ea'llng Indians created a wild alarm
~oashout the village, and in a few
r.aa ''es the shop was crowded with ex.
" ~. hen, women and children. all
n ~ - learn the cause and the result
sb,,ee hIfay. A few words made the
array known, and while many