St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-09-19
flor he Children.
From the New England Homestead
Aunt Emma's Indian Story.

Everyone who is familiar with history
knows of the terrible and bloody mas
sacre that Deerfield suffered. You will
find much of it recorded here and there
but it is not of Deerfield we are talking
to-day, but of town very near, where,
about the time of the Deerfield trOu-
bles, the incident am going to narrate
occurred.
You know the country all around was
one vast forest. Here and there had
begun small settlements of the white
men. Their axes were heard each day,
leveling the trees, thus encrOaching up
on the domains of the savage, who was
fast becoming bitter foe, burning all
the dwellings he could. To-day many
a visible reminder of that time is seen
in the means of defense our fathers en-
plOyed. In the farm houses around up
on the hills, it is no uncommon thing
to meet in the oldest houses thick dou-
BILE planks and bolted doors fronting
the outside, sometimes bearing the
marks of the bullet and the tOmahawk.
The house of my grandfather Enoch
Baldwin was one of these. His father
was one evening returning from his
work in the field where he had planted
some corn and potatoes, when he heard
groan in thicket beside him. In a
moment his gun was brought to bear in
case of surprise flor in those days no
man went out to work without his flint
lock for prOtection). Bending down
the bushes carefully, he espied an In
dian laying on his face. Fearing an
ambuscade he drew back moment,
but was treasured when he discovered
a pool of blood at his feet. He spoke
to him, and saw that it was savage
that had frequently called at his fire.
side, asking for tobacco and food. The
Indian had been badly wounded by a
premature discharge of his gun, while
he was pursuing some game, and he
had crawled thus far, and crept into
the bushes to die. Mr.. Baldwin was a
humane man and he took the poor saw
age to his home, and nursed and fed
him until he was able to return to his
tribe.
One morning he suddenly disappear
ed. Three, four months passed, and
not one Indian had been seen in the
little hamlet, and stronger feeling of
security began to prevail. 1t was hop
ed no further molestation would hap
pen. One morning at the early break
fast hour the cry rang from house to
house, "The Indians are cOmingn The
greatest alarm prevailed. In a moment
everyone rushed from their houses, and
fled to seek for hiding places in the
woods and rocks and in an opposite di-
rection. Potatoes were left cooking in
the ashes; the bread and meat upon
the hearth everything in confusion.
My great grandfather's family were
just about sitting down to their morn
ing meal when a woman rushed in, pale
and breathless warning them of the
savages' approach. They could hear
the shrill war whoop in the distance,
and they instantly fled for their lives.
My grandfather was then a child of five
years, and as he was at play by the
wood pile he was momentarily forgot
ten. They dared not go back after
him it might be death to all. A safe
hiding place was found and in theil
refuge they passed day of fearful ter,
ror and anguish for the fate of theil
little son left behind.
Night came. All seemed still but
every moment they expected to see the
flames bursting from their own an6
other homes, but as yet they had moi
seen any indications of fire. The lone
night dragged slowly away. The little
children began to cry and moan will
hunger and thirst and the babe frettef
constantly. My greatgrandfather crep
cautiously out of his hiding place grasp
ing his gun, and sought for water
Coming to a hillock overlooking hi
home from a sheltered position in tn,
bright moonlight, he saw to his grea
Joy his dwelling standing unframed
Creeping nearer and still nearer. b,
reached the house, and as all was still
ne mustered courage and entered bu