Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-08-11
StOrming the Block House.
THE SHAN FIGHr AT BErHEL.-REFRopuc-
rIoN OF HIsroRIc SCENE.

n
The Block House was built in the center of
Bethers neat little common. 1t was about
thirty feet long and fifteen feet wide, and
correct imitation of the fortress of ancient
Bethel. The sides were formed of old rail-
road sleepers, with port holes left open every
few feet The rafters were blackened spruce
poles cut from burned woods. The roof was
peaked and matched with hay and boughs.
When the procession reached the head of
Church street. bareback rider was seen
galoping down the road on a foaming bay
horse. He was trembling with excitement
and he shouted to the Captain of the Rangers:
''rhe Indians are coming.'
Capt. Rose at once detailed four mounted
detachments to reconnoitre the enemy's po-
sition. The rest of the squad took possession
of the block house. All the de,achments hut
one returned in season to dismount and get
inside the fort. before the Indians appeared.
Before the fourth detachment arrived, twenty
Indians, in their war-paint and feathers sprang
into sight in an adjacent yard and opened a
hot fire on the fort. with blank cartridges)
to which the men in the fort responded.
The makeup of the Indians was splendid,
and if old Tomhegan himself had been resur-
rected for the occasion. with band of his
braves, we doubt whether they could have
been more thoroughly "Indian" in appear
ancc. They were bedaubed with paint and
long, swart black hair flowed over their
shoulders. Their head pieces bristled with
turkey feathers. They wore tight buckskin
leggings, and robes of buffalo fur, with bril-.
liant display of bright red flannel. They
tiourishcd the blackest of tomahawks, and we
never saw a more villainous- looking set of
fellows. The chief was Mr.. II. Clinton Bar
ker. who represented old Tomhegan. A half
Il ;,,{ ,;,
gala, with loose locked moccasins on their
feet quivers on their backs, and long bows in
their hands followed the braves.
Now TO return to the fight. When the
fourth detachment arrived, they found them
selves cut off from the block house by the
yelling Indians. There was rattle of mus
kerry and the settlers fought their way into
the fort. One of their men fell dead on the
field (figuratively speaking, of coursc) and
was dragged into the block house.
The Indians then surrounded the fort and
kept up a constant fire for few minutes,
dodging behind fences and bushes.
Suddenly they were seen to skulk back, and
assemble around their chief They seemed
to hold a conference. They brandishcd their
tomahawks. and uttered legitimate copper
colored war cries. They rushed forward and
were driven back by the fire from the fort.
Now. piece of Indian strategy was exhib-
tied. Five warriors skulked steathily around
to the other side of the common. while the
attention of the settlers was occupied by the
steady fighting in front. Suddenly the brawny
six-footers go over the common fence at
leap, clearing the top rail three feet! They
rushed on the fort in the rear, and with wild
veil, broke in the front door, got inside and
dragged out prisoner. They were then
joined by the whole band. With diabolical
vol ha md
bound to a tree. to be tortured. The meE
and squaws danced around him and shook
their tomahawks in his face. They piled
boughs about his feet and prepared to burn
him.
Meanwhile, the order is given Rangers to
the Rescue" Capt. Rose left five men to
guard the fort, and with the rest of his com
mand, made so,tie from the block house, at
double quick. The rangers held their fire un-
til they came within rod of the Indians.
when they poured volley into them and
scattered them. The rangers then quickly
released the prisoner. but while they were
engaged in this, the Indians collected their
force, executed flank movement. and got
between the rangers and the block house.
When the rangers attempted to regain their
stronghold the sharpest hand to-hand fight
ing of the whole battle took place. Two men
were lost each side. The rangers drove
the Indians. and reached the fort. carrying in
their dead and wounded, but losing Captain
John Smith. who was taken prisoner by the
Indians. Tho Indians retreated to the Bethel
side of the common, outside the fence, leaving
their dead on the field.
A runner then advanced towards the block
house. with arms uplited, signifying, in
Indian, that truce was wanted. A parley
was held. The Indians were allowed to carry
away their dead while hostilities were sus-
pended. They then went through the cere-
mony of an In dian burial, with funeral dance
in circle around the corpses, waving their
tomahawks. and uttering realistic groans and
death songs. which terrified numerous small
boys out of their appetite for peanuts.
After this ceremony, the well known story
of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith was
represented. faithfully, according to the mar
rative. Miss Barker of Bethel made a dra-
matte Pocahontas.
The fight then renewed. Each big
ipjun shook his head feathers and made the
most of himself. The rangers kept steady
fire through the loop-holes.
Soon came thrilling scene. An Indian
brave was seen to dodge along and gain the
fort unnoticed. He carried a torch in his
hand, and was unarmed, save his knife and
tomahawk. He climbed up on the roof Of the
fort, gave triumphant whoop, and then set
fire to the thatch. The fort burst into blaze
The rangers rushed out, and one Of them had
desperate encounter with the incendiary.
The white man was worsted. and the brave
soon waved his scalp in the air.
But the tide of battle turned in favor of the
settlers. They captured the Indians, placed
them in hollow square, joined the process
sion with fife and drum. and the battle was
over.-Lewiston Journal.