Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-07-03
THE HERALD.
THE MIGHT MASSACRE.


children, the oldest of the latter be-
ing ten years and the youngest six
months. We took possession of our
now purchase 10 the autumn of the
year, going thither with our teams,
provisions and few indispensable
housekeeping articles. For the first
few days we were compelled to en-
camp, but by the end of q week we
had block-house constructed large
enough to hold all Of us, and at the
end of month we had cleared q
large space and put up elk substan.
tial cabins.
For two years We progressed to
the extent of our most sanguine
hopes, and the result of onr labors
and management was fiourishing
little village, with FIVE additional
families. three births, a ssw.mill, a
grist-mill. several stoIes, and q
building that served the double pur.
pose 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 oil
civilization, with q long range oi
Indian country beyond; but when
the natives Of that vicinity came to
us with friendly words and ope ned
profitable trade we thought our
selves quite fortunate in having
such neighbours.
One afternoon. toward the latter
part of August, as l was standing
in shop converting with the pro-
prietor-there being no other per-
son present except the owner's son,
youth of thirteen-some six o.
eight Indians, whose faces we 70.
cognized, came stalking in, single
file, and the foremost hating 10
front of Mr.. Bracket, the shopk eep.
er. said abruptly:
I'VE want big drink whisbyi"
swell, did you bring anything to
pay for it p inquired Bracket, OBJ.
serving that not any Of The savages
carried anything in his hand.
"Me pay much sometime--by.
and.by-two, four moon-ughI
goodI'
"No, Cross John, cant afford Il
trnst you any MORE" replied the
shopkeeper. "You have been prom
ising to pay up the old score till
don't believe a word you say"
"Me gentiemAn-me payne nc
lie!" replied the savage, with an an
cry frown and q fash OF his eye, Oh
he Strengthened himself up TO his
full height, and struck his breast al.
most fiercely.
Cross John-so named from an
ugly soar across his face--was q
drunken, worthless fellow, who had
some influence in his tribe, and was
not to be altogether 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 dlscourteously. So l said to
Bracket
"Let Cross John and his compan.
ions have drink all around and
charge it to me-"
Gross John turned toward me,
nodded mis- head, held out his hand,
and said
"Good, you gentlemanl"
"He shall not have drop more
out of this shop till be pays for all
he has had |" cried Bracket, who
was q very fiery. determined man
when reused. she has lied to me
three Imes ct least. and am re-
solved to show no more favors till
he redeems his charae ter, or makes
some attempt to do So"
On hearing these words, the In
dian seemed to lose oil control over
his temper, and be wholly governed
by o wicked impulse. Quick as
lightning be whipped out his knife
from his belt, and made blow at
the. shopkeeper, who was on the
other side of the counter. Bracket
saw his intention, spi ang back, laid
his hand upon pistol. and before 1
could interfere, fired, and lodged the
oasten "a 10 the breast Of the savage,
who fell back with yell of rage.
Then catching mp loaded rifle that
was near at hand. the shopk eeper
pointed it At tho remaining Indiana,
who. with y,lis of dismay turned
and fed.
All this posed no quickly that l
could hardly believe that y tragedy
had taken plsce Till saw the In,
dian, deserted ty his companions,
bleeding aud dying stone at my very
feet. | stopped down and raised
him up, but he only fetched one
long, gurgiipg gasp, and expired in
my ARM, his eyes fairly glazing in
death while fixed upon Bracket
with an expression of the most ma
Iignant hate.
OF course the firing and ytlls Of
she re.reatiny Indians created d
wild alarm throughout The village,
AID in a few minutes the shop was
crowded with excited men, women
aud children, all eager to learn the
cause and the result Of the STRAY.
A few words made the whole affair
knoSn, aud while many were dis
posed 10 think that Bracket Was
justified in wha. he had done, the
majority believed. with me, that be
bad been too insulting and too rash.
considering our expose locality
and comparatively defcnseless con-
dition. Bat the deed was dome
there was no altering thst--and
though no jury 10 the world mig bit
bring in any other verdict than JUS
tifsole homicide, yet it did not fol-
low that the Indians would view it
10 that light.
Men few TO arms, ell kinds of
labor and business ceased, and all
the women and children, with plen-
ty Of provisions and small articles
of value, were hurried into the
block house. Then by lot the men
were divided into two parties, one
of which Was to garrison tho block