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

paniOn, although he himself had been
most to blame, and had been killed in
self defense; and though it was not in
the power of any of Us to restore him
to life, yet we were willing to do any
thing IN reason to appease the anger of
his friends, even TO making them some
handsome presents.
The idea of a present to an Indian
has a sort of a mysterious charm, very
soothing to his ruffled temper, and l
found them more eager to treat with
me than | expected. A pound Of pow
der, a few yards of red cloth, couple
of strings of beads, and a gallon of
whisky settled the business. They
would not come back into the village,
evidently, fearing treachery, but they
came within half mile, and [ took the
articles out to them, and they went
away apparently satisfied.
! We did not get over our alarm suffici-
emily for the women and children to
leave the block-house for several days,
but time passed on, we gradually got back
to the old state of affairs, more espec,
tally after part of the same tribe came
In and traded with us on the most friend
~ terms as before, without making any
alluslOn to the tragic event in question.
1t was about three months after the
death of COss John, that was one night
awakened by a series of the most APP
paling yells, mingled with the terrific
screams of women and children and
the report of firearms. was alone in
the house. My family, consisting of
my wife and two little children, had set
off the week before to visit her partents
in the state of New York-a most con-
selling fact to me now, when I believe
that few, if any, would escape the hor-
rible massacre already going on around
me. My first act, after leaping out of
bed, was to see that my doors and shut
tiers were strongly secured; and the next
to collect my weapons together-my
rifle, pistols, ak and knife-and be pre-
pared to sell my life as dearly as pos
sible.
had just accomplished this, and put
on some of my garments in the dark, l
thinking it imprudent to strike light,
when reddish gleam coming in through
here and there crack or crevice,
made me aware that the Indians had
already begun to burn the village, that
they might the better see to catch
the inhabitants, and running from one
side OF the house to the other and put
ting my eye TO the different appertures,
[ soon had u general view of all that
was taking place.
The Indians in great numbers, were
scattered all over the village; and while
some were engaged in plundering the
shops and different dwellings, others
were pursuing the flying inhabitants,
shooting, tomahawking them without
mercy, seemingly sparing none of
either sex or any age. The few men
yet left alive were making what
resistance they could-and here and
there | could see a savage drop by a
well aimed shot from some building not
yet carried by storm-but the numbers
of the foe were so great, that the few
thus picked off did not seem to lessen
them, and quickly became convinced
there was no hope of successful repulse,
and [ mentally babe my dear wife and
children farewell, never expecting to
behold them again.
death it is, muttered |; shut / will
die doing my best to rid the world of
as many human fends as possible"
and | hurried up to my roof with my
rife, intending to load and fire as long
as life remained.
But on thrusting my head out,into the
open air, and taking in the whole hor-
rible scene at a glance, | at once became
struck with the remarkable fact, that
mine was the only dwelling which had
not been surrounded and assailed.
What could it mean? Was it chance
or design? Did they believe my house
deserted? or did they intend that alone
should escape? Ii the latter, it was
certainly the strangest Indian freak |
had ever heard of, and / knew not what
to make of it.
But one thing, under the circumstan-
ces, seemed highly proper-and that
was not to assail them, should certain
ly draw attention upon myself, and do
the villagers no service; while, by keep
ing quiet and concealed, it was possible
[ should, as [ had done, remain unmo-
Tested to the end.
This, strange as it may seem, was the
result. [ was not molested, and my
house remained untouched. Around
me my friends were butchered on every
side. and their houses plundered and
burned to the ground; and yet, in the
midst of the slaughter and burning
ruin, myself and dwelling were protect
ed, as if by some invisible power.
When the Indians finally departed
with their booty and trophies, and |
found myself free to escape to the
nearest settlement, | could hardly credit
NV cpncoc ar hnlinVe the tala T rovsnli
told. There were some suspicious PEG,
pie who accused me of being in league
with the Indians and sharing their spoils,
citing as & proof the previous departure
of my family and my own testimony oil
remaining unmolested in the midst oil
the scene of destruction. | never
blamed any one for these suspicious
for / should have had them Of another
so circumstanced-but after ALL wa:
innocent as a child, and as ignorant oil
the true reason of my escape as they
were.
1t was afterward asserted by the saw.
ages themselves that the attack upon
the village was made in revenge for the
death of Cross John, and that | was
spared because l had acted in a friendly
manner toward him ana his compan
ions. Be this as it may, it is certain
was saved in the manner related.
Two others providentially escaped the
general massacre. All the rest persisted
by the hands of the human fends, anC
: our once thriving, happy village became
an awful scene of death and desolation
BOARD Eynarience