Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-09-24
Aunt Emma's Indian Story.

Everyone who is familiar with history
knows of the terrible and bloody mas
sacre that Deerfeld suffered. You will
find much of it recorded here and there,
but it is not of Deerfeld we are talking
to-day, but of a town very near, where,
about the time of the Deerfield troubles,
the incident am going to narrate occur
red.
You know the country all around was
one vast forest. Here and there had be-
gun small settlements of the white men.
Their axes were heard each day, leveing
the trees, thus encroaching upon the do
mains of the savage, who was fast becom-
ing bitter foe, burning all the dwellings
he could. To-Day many n visible reminder
of that time is seen in the means of de-
fense our fathers employed. In the farm
houses around upon the hills, it is no un-
common thing to meet in the oldest houses
thick double 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
the thcket BESIDE him. In moment his
gun was brought to bear in case of sur
prise Oor in those days no man went out
to work without his flint lock for protec-
tiop). Bending down the bushes carefully,
he cspied an Indian lying on his face.
Fearing an ambuscade he drew back Il
nome it., but was reassured when he dis
covered pool of blood at his feet. He
spoke to him, and saw that it was IL saw
age that had frequantly called at his fire.
side, asking for tobacco and food. The
Indian had been badly wounded by n pre-
mature 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 savage to his home, and
nursed and fed him until he was able to
return to his tribe.
One morning he suddenly disappeared.
Three, four months passed, and not one
Indian had been seen in the little hamlet,
and n stronger feeling of security began
to prevail. 1t was hoped no further mo-
lestation would happen. One morning at
the early breakfast hour the cry rang from
house to house, The Indians are COM
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a moment everyone rushed from their
houses, and fed to seek for hiding places
in the woods and rocks and in an opposite
direction. 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 morning
meal when 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
fed for their lives. My grandfather was
then Il child of five years, and as he was
at play by the wood pile he was mcmen
tariy forgotten. They dared not 90 back
after him; it might be death to all. A safe
Kidding place was found and in their re
fuge they passed Il day of fearful terror
and anguish for the fate of their little sor
left behind.
Night came. All seemed still but every
moment they expected to see the flames
bursting from their own and other homes
but as yet they had not seen any indica
tions of fire. The long night dragged
slowly away. The little children begar
to cry and moan with hunger and thirs
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great grandfather crept cautiously out O
his hiding place grasping his gun, ant
sought for water. Coming to hillocl
overlooking his home from sheltered
position in the bright moonlight. he. saw
to his great joy his dwelling standing un-
harmed. Creeping nearer and still nearer
he reached the house, and as all was still
he mustered courage and entered but coulC
find no trace of his boy. Every thing was
in disorder-goods thrown about and ran
sacked. He could find no food except g
little raw pork that had escaped the sava
ges' notice. Their COW had been driver
from the yard and the chickens and pig
stolen.
For three days they managed to subsist
not daring to return, rs the Indians re
mained in the neighborhood. When a
last the frightened people began to com
back it was found not house had beel
4 burned. but thoroughly plundered, an
two or three children carried off captives
among them the boy left playing by th
woodpile when the Indians came.
: Great grief was felt for the poor littl
, ones and fears for their fate. 1t was Gel
tainly known that they had not been kille
as they had been seen with the band, a
they retreated, for a party of soldier: