Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-04-19
THE BOY HERO.
SOME THRILLING INCIDENTS OF THE
MINNESOTA MASSACRE.

In the year 1862, at the time of the
great Indian massacre in Minnesota,
there lived some twenty miles from New
Ufm, q farmer by the name of Henry
Meeker. His family consisted of him
self, his wife and two children-a boy
and girl. The boy was 13 years of
age, and was named Joseph. His sister
was two years his junior. They had
been living In comparative safety for
nearly two years, and were on friendly
terms with the Indians, who frequently
called at the dwelling OF the Meekers,
and were always kindly received.
Early on the morning of August 10th.
1852 three Indians, who were known
to the family, called andlasked for some
thing to eat; and while Mrs. Meeker
was procuring it for them. they request
ed her husband to get down his rifle and
go short distance from the dwelling
and see which one was the best marks
man.
Meeker did not altogether like the
fdea, and In d Pulito wuy TeIuseu. Iuey-
then became angry, and asked If he
thought they were going to hurt him.
Not caring to iritate them, or give them
any cause to make q disturbance, he
consented to go with them.
e All four then proceeded to grove,
some little distance from the house,
when they stopped, and one of the In
dians pointed out as the target leaf
that was on the extreme edge of limb
ofa tree about twenty yards from where
they stood. Henry Meeker was told to
fire first and see If he could hit. He
took aim and fred, and, as he did so,
one of the Indians shot him in the
back, and he. fell over, dead. They
then returned to the dwelling, and in
formed Mrs. Meeker that her husband
had shot himself She started to go to
her husband. but as she was crossing
the threshold of the door one of the In
dians split her head open with toma.
hawk, and she fell dead at his feet.
Little Mary was then killed by anoth-
er of the Indians. They then looked
for Joseph, but he was nowhere to be
found. though present when they first
came.
The Indians now ransacked the house
and took away with them all they con.
sidered of any value.
After his father went out with the
Indians. young Joseph started to follow
when he saw his father killed. At this
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wards the house, but on his way he
stumbled and fell near some bushes.
AS he glanced back he saw the Indians
returning, and Immediately crept into
the bushes and concealed himself
From here he saw his mother Drained,
heard the cry of his sister, and after
wards discovered that she had been
murdered also.
Joseph remained in his hiding-place
until sometime after the Indians had
gone, and then he fell upon his knees
and prayed to God to protect and watch
over him. Then he got up and pro-
ceeded to dig grave near where his
father had fallen. To this grave the
poor boy drew his dead parents and
sister, and covered them over from hu-
man sight. weeping bitter tears of an
guish. Then he took his fathers rifle
and ammunition, and sadly left the
place that had been happy home to
nim.
After lonesome and tiresone Jour-
| ney of several miles he reached the
dwelling of neighbor, where he found
the head of the family lying on the
ground, dead. and the house deserted.
AS he had forgotten to take any food
with him, and was by this time quite
hungry, he entered the house, and
found three potatoes, which he ate, aud
a little corn meal, which he took away
with him.
He then set off again, this time in
tending to reach Mankato, which he
thought would be the most likely place
to meet with some friends, for he now
rightly concluded that there had been q
general uprising of the Indians.
He travelled for nearly three hours
without seeing living being, and then
wondered if he was on the right course,
or whether he had taken the wrong di
rection. Then he stopped at stream
OF water to quench his thirst, rest, and
reflect.
He had been there some considerable
time, lost in painful reverie, thinking
of his fOrlOrn condition-an orphan,
homeless. 'friendless and alone in the
world-and wondering what awful
doom might yet be his, when he was
aroused and startled by hearing sounds
as of the approach of human beings.
Not knowing whether these were
friends or foes, he Immediately crepl
into some tall grass, stretched himself
fat on the ground, and listened In
breathless silence. AS the parties drew
near, he saw there were two men. two
boys, three women, and one little girl
all white. He started towards them
and the men, as soon as they saw him
raised their guns as if to shot.
For Gods sake, don't mul der me =
he called to them.
Come here, my boy, /" said one of tn,
men, as both quickly lowered their pie
ces; you shall not be harmed. We wer,
startled at first. before we saw clearly
aud mistook you for an Indian.n
Lttle Joseph then Joined the group
and Mated his tragic tale.