Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-08-09

lQt IeitllOilS UCbWC0u tttC oSsss~s"
the Indians had been OF most friendly
character. But the st. Francis tribe, since
| 1850, had become powerful centrai po'hs
for all the Indians 10 this region. lney
had espoused the cause or the French, anu
had made incursions on the English settle
ments, and mastered large numbers or
habitants. In 1859, Msjor Robert Rogers,
with 200 rangers, surprised and nearly
|. destroyed the village OF the st. Francis
tribe. They released 1--WE English captives.
They found several hundred scalps or
murdered English waving In the air Oh
T poles in the village. Nal Rogers secured
200 guiueas, y lot OF wampum ana other
spoils.
DIR. True then gave an extract from
Lieut.. Segars published narrative. Lient.
Segar writes that In the spring OF 1881.
1.-The Indians were often In among US, anu
appeared very friendly. We sold them
corn aud other things for meat, furs, etc.
Afterwards they grew morosc and suriy.
bat still! we were not apprehensive OF any
mischief. as We had lived quietly with
them. AT length they Appeared hostile:
They paiuted themselves and talked ana
laughed with each other In their own
language. They told Us 1t was high day
with them. Still we kept about our work.
as we knew OF no reason why they should
niure us, ~ We had always lived III mar
mony with them. There were none OF
these Indians in the party when L was
taken prisoner"
II was one hundred years ago, THIS al
ternoon. continued the doctor. when SIX
: Indians, commanded by Tomhegan (signi-
fying tomahawk) made their appearance
among the settlers OF Bethel. They be-
Ionged TO the st. Francis tribe. Their
first appearance was AZ the house or Capt.
Benz Barker, who had made an opening
near the mouth of Bear River. They
plundercd the house, and roobed two
young ladies', treating them with great
cruelty.
Late In the afternoon OF August 3d, ISL,
Capt. Twitchel went To Lieut.. Clarks In
search OF his cows. Capt 1. earnestly
presented the necessity of erecting gar
risou for their protection. While they
were discussing this question the party OF
six Indians passed out OF the woods and
secured Capt. Twitchell, Lieut.. Clark, AMI
Lieut. Nathaniel Segar, who was then
young man aud working for Lieut. Clark.
They bound them and plundered the cellar.
While they were doing this, Capt. witch
, ell succeeded In releasing himseh lie
sprang for the door and started for the
woods. lie concealed himself In the
, rayine under log. Although the indians
, passed and repassed, they failed 20 dis
cover him and he lay there all night. Mrs.
Clark also escaped to the forest.
The two prisoners were loaded with
heavy packs OF plumber, and with their
hands tied behind them, they started Tor
Canada. The Indians followed up the
river 10 Peabody Patent, now Gilead,
where they killed and scalped Mr.. James
rcttiugill. Ia ShelbOurne they iordcd the
Androscoggin. and killed and scalped
another man and captured colored man.
Here they released Lieut.. Clark and gave
him permission to- return home Inc
other prisoners were carried onward 20
the source OF the 81. Francis river. Ihey
became so hungry that they ate tn, moose
moccasius, which the Indians had thrown
away. They passed down the 81. Frames
and In fourteen days reached the head
quarters OF their tribe. They were then
taken 10 Montreal, where the Indians re
ceiyed their bounty ani their scalps.
After suffering in every possible way, they
regained their liberty by an exchange oil
prisoners, In November lss2.
After the capture there was the greatest
CONSERVATION In the little colony here
The settlers were perfectly defenceiess.
The neighboring settlers were aroused.
Two Fryeburg men rode up and down the
Saco and collected force. Thirty yolun-
teers assembled. They were IN i sorry
condition. Some OF them Were barefoot
and nearly destitute OF clothing. Having
Sabatis, a friendly Indian, for guide, be-
fore nightfall they went through the forest
In single ille. They reached Captain
Twitchcli's house, and Sioatls sagacity
soon discovered traces OF the Indians.
They met Mrs. Clark, who said the Indians
threatened To kill the prisoner, II the
whites should pursue them. Finding the
Indians were SO far ahead that pursuit
would be useless, they retraced their steps
TO Fryeburg, after march through the
wilderness OF more than eighty miles.
DR.. True read roll OF the men who
composed company OF soldiers that was
at once raised AZ Fryeburg, 10 protect the
people OF Bethel. Two block-houses were
at once erected. They were composed or
timbers hewn on one side and were built
so high that no one could climb over.
They were large enough To contain the
soldiers and also the people who came
there for protection during the night.
Portfolios were made for musketry, In
case OF an attack The Inhabitants spent
their nights here and went TO their labor
In the morning. The expense or support
Ing the soldiers was borne by the Missa-
chusetts legislature.
There were no more attacks, but the ef-
| fects OF the capture were disastrous TO the
town. Settlers were slow TO come 10,
through fear OF similar attacks. The
plantation was guarded by soldiers till che
close OF the Revolutionary War, when the
block houses were taken down.
The historian concluded his very inter
esting address with brief account or the
subsequent careers ofsome VI the pioneers,
aud OF the leading events In the early his
tory of New England, followed by gener-
al remarks upon thoughts suggested by
the occasion.
After the literary exercises the company
partook Of picnic dinner.
| AFTERNOON.
Toasts and sentiments were read iu the
grove by Hon. Enoch Foster jr., followed
by responses aud speeches from dlstin-
guished gentleman present The toasts
and the responses were a. follows
"our Pioneer Fathers.-we viii always
cherish their memory" Rev. J. h. Mason.
"onr Pioneer Mothers.-stlll remembered
by our ancestors remind their descendants
OF their duty" Rev. D. Garland ana $. +. Glib
son, EST. OF Bethel.
"eryeDurg.-Our older sister. We rejoice
| with her In her prosperity" Hon Sullivan
| Wiley OF Machlas.
| "rhe Pioneers OF Sudbury Canada. Their
blood still flows In the Veins Of their descend.
ants" Benz. W. Clark. esq. OF Bethel the sen
| OF Lieut.. Clark. who was carried or by TOM
hcgan's Indians.
Bethel gem among the mountains" Rev.
| A. BoSserman OF Bethel.
1.-THE Androscoggin. She needs no poet 70
praise her. for she isa poem unto herseh