Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-05-31
MORA WAN MYRTYRS.

massacre of ninety-six Moravian Chris
tian Indians at this place was observed
here to-day with solemn and imposing
ceremonies, and attracted the largest at
tendance of people ever before assembled
in eastern Ohio. The day opened bright
and clear. and long before dawn men.
women and children on foot, on horse
back, and in all kinds of conveyances
came pouring into the streets of this his
torical Moravian town, on the banks of
Tuscarawas, to witness the service COM
memorative of the sad and awful tragedy
enacted here one hundred years ago
The early excursion trains OH the Pan
Handle, both east and west, brought
thousands Of visitors and guests from
aboard, and before ten o'clock the town
was crowded, the streets aud alleys and
highways being completely blockaded by
the dense mass of struggling humanity,
all anxious for the ceremonies to begin.
Gov. Foster arrived here from the east on
his way from Washington this morning,
and, with other distingu ished visitors,
was escorted to the residence of l. d.
Winch, chairman of the committee on
arrangements, where he was entertained
during the day. Secretary ofState Town
send, G. I'll. Hildt and other visitors of
distinction from Columbus, arrived at II
o'clock. Senator d. A. Hollingsworth
the orator of the day, came on an excur-
sion train from the east Monumental
park, where the ceremonies were conduct
| ed, is now used as cemetery, and is fill
ed with objects of deep and abiding in
terest to all here. To the west side Of
the park stands the monument which
marks the spot where the Christian mar
tyrs met death, with such heroic fortitude
one hundred years ago. This monument
is thirty five feet high, was erected in
June, 1872, and bears the following ap-
propriate inscriptions: "Here triumphed
in death ninety-six Moravian Christian
Indians, March s, 1882 Gnadenhutten." :"
len feet to the east of the monument a
finger board marks the spot where stood
the mission-house in which the Moravians
held their last worship few minutes be-
tore their slaughter by the heartless white
settlers. A little further to the east is an
old apple tree planted by the In
dians in 1774 which has stood in the
storms OF century as a silent wit
ness to the shocking tragedy which Grim
soned the waters of the Tuscarawas with
the blood oflnnocent and defenseless men.
women, and children. 1t is still
fruitful. A few PAGES to the south OF the
monument another finger board marks
| the'spot where stood the cooper shop in
which the victims of the + gedy were
slaughtered. The exercises began at ] l
o'clock with a touching address by Bish
op II. j. Van Week, of the Moravian
church, which was followed by a hymn
sung by the choir Senator Hollings.
worth then stepped to the front of the
platform and delivered mastery Grafton
In which all the details of the tragedy
were rehearsed with telling effect Dur
ing It's delivery the audience, consisting
OF upward of five thousand people, were
held spell bound. After Senator Hollings
worth's oration recess was taken for re-
freshments and promptly at o'clock
Gov. Foster delivered a short address,
and was followed by Secretary of State
Townsend, State Auditor Ogilvie, and
Rev. Mr.. Hartman, of the Moravian
Church at London, Ont An interest
ing feature of the exercises was the three
Delaware Indians from New Fairfield,
Canada, who are lineal descendants of
one of the families murdered here one
hundred years ago. Jacob, the Oldest
! Indian, addressed the assemblage by an
interpreter. He said his grandmother
was a victim of the massacre. The other
Indian, Stone Fish, who is here with his
| wife, addressed the audience in English
Thomas, whose grandfather, Col. Vance,
took part in che massacre, was here from
Cross creek, Pennsylvania, and Henry B.
lackenbauch, grandson of the renowned
missionary Heckwelder, came from Beth
lehem, Pa, with his wife, to partici nate
in the exercises to day. James Simpson,
| from Cross Greek, was also here, and, in
a conversation with press correspondent
last night said that Col Williamson, the
commander Of the Guadenhutten expe-
dition, afterward died in Jail in Wash
ington county, Pennsylvania, where he
was confined for not paying a fine assess
ed on him for keeping tipping house.
The attendance here to-day is estimated
at from twelve to sixteen thousand. 1t
was certainly gathering or great histor-
ical interest to the people of this section,
and has brought the whole circumstances
of the tragedy fresh to the minds of all in
attendance