The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1880-10-29
Centennial Anniversary.

THE LAST INDIAN RAID IN VERMONT.
The Tooth anniversary Of the burning
of Royalton was celebrated at South
Royalton, Saturday, Hon. C. M. Lamb
presiding. Ex.COngressman ID. G. Den.
nison delivered an ad iress. About 25
| descendants of families who suffered at
the time of the burning were present,
and a number of interesting relics were
exhibited.
The occasion celebrated was the last
adventure of its kind in this valley. In
1880 the revolutionary war was in prog
ress, though its field had npt spread over
Vermont, since the battle Of Bennington
and the surrender of Burgoyne. Some
years before, Gen. Gordon, British Of
ticer, had been shot by a Lieutenant
Whitcomb while on u scout and robbed
OF his sword and watch. 1t was deemed
a wanton act and the British made efforts
Though the Indians to capture Whit
comb. For this purpose in October, 1880,
about 800 of the Indians under man
named Horton, scented up the Winooski
with the intention of attacking Newbury
on the Connecticut. They heard, how
ever, that Newbury was ready for them,
and SO passed over to the head-waters of
White river and aimed for the new town
of Royaton, which was wilderness ten
years before but had grown in that in
terval to have so freemen and 300 inhab-
itants. The Indians did not dare 10 at
tack on the Sabbath, when the people
were collected for worship, but 10y con-
cealed IN the forest and Oh Monday
morning, Octo er 16, commenced their
ravage. Tnev rushed from og-house to
Lighthouse of the scattered farmers, taking
26 prisoners, bun ming 20 houses, and kill
ing two settlers, Thomas Pember and
Elias Button. They made it day of
terror for the lonely valley, and toward
night started their train of captives for
Canada. The alarm spread rapidly and
settlers from the Connecticut river and
all directions gathered in pursuit, but
they did not dare to follow by night,
fearing ambush. Another white was
tomahawked to retaiiate for the death of
an Indian by the only exchange OF shots
which took place, ami another still for
refusing to march. The raiders made
good their escape. All but one of the
captives returned the next summer by
AN exchange of prisoners, and one Of
them. Zadoc Steele, wrote little book
historical of the affair, which is now
rathef rare.
The Indian conduct in this affair was
marked by some mitigating circumstances.
At one house the women, in their fright,
ran out in their night clothing (naked,
says the story, and "stood motionless
and parslyzed" till the sayages, laughing,
brought out their apparel. No women
were taken prisoners. A score OF chill
dren had been collected to be driven off
with the other captives, when one woman
boldly importuned the captors for her
boy and secured his release. She then
insisted on others being given up, and f.
naly pleaded her cause SO wep that IL or
Is Of the younger children WIRE surren-
dered. A chief set her prizes across the
river, carrying her over finally on his
back as tribute to her success, and she
returned to the desolate homes with her
juvenile train, carrying something of
consolation.
Twenty-seven years after the Indians,
the town had an Incorporated academy
which is still in existence. Among the
more noted men who have been raised
there is Prof Truman ii. Stafford, the
astronomer and mathematical prodigy,
now professor at Williams college, who
at ten years of age excited the admira-
ton of the late Prof. Peirce. Superin-
tendent Stone spent a good portion of his
boyhood in the town and had for one OF
his youthful mates Frederick Billings OF
Woodstock, whose father was landlord OF
the village tavern at Royalton for many
years. The celebration was mainly the
work of the women of the town.