Morris tribune., 1885-08-12
Gracevi.le, Aug. 8, IL

whatever, haye become to .the borael
settler like that ever present danger
to the people who live on the slopes OF
once active volcanoes now grown III
to vegetation they live on unconscious
of danger until it Is to late to escape
AS the sun sank peacefully to rest
on evening of August 2, 1885, his las
rays that fell upon the village o.
Graceville beheld II scene off peace and
beauty; people vending their way to
evening prayer, few boats floating
on the surface of ToSua lakes families
strolling hand in hand on their beach
and lovers stceling to the quiet retreat
of their shady paths. The gray dawn
of morning discovers this people with
haggard and worn faces, disheveled
hair aud mud stained garments, car
inc for the unfortunate and searching
for the lost of II night of terror. AT
midnight when the stiffness of death
reigned and the benediction of peace
full slumber rested on ali, farm wag-
on loaded with men, women ana
children, came tearing into town,
the faded horses dashed to a last
exertion, followed by other loads and
men on horseback and Oh foot, wild
with fright. The alarm was given
hearts stood still; white lips spread
the awful news to every sleeping
couch: "The Indians are coming
burning and destroying as they come"
Into the streets gather men and
families, white, trembling, teeth chat
tering with terror. Some as they
rushed from bed, others half dressed,
prayine, fainting, and hiding. Fear
reigns supreme. At this crisis, WIN
spirit born of the hour and with
heroism suited to the occasion, II lead
er comes. y form appearing large in
the darkness and from its manly
bearing, appears in their midst. LII
wears a helmet hat, II hunting coat
and high boots; gun is on its should
err. and two revolvers and the neck OF
a quart bottle protrude from the peck
cts of the hunting coat.
The warm blood once more returns
to the forsaken cheeks of those VINO
see. They rally around him, the y
organize for defense, and the man OF
the hour, the man with the gun, Geo.
M. Fish, Jr. is chosen by loud and
unanimous acclimation, leader of the
squad. His first orders ring out,
carrying courage and conviction to
those fainting hearts. "Get guns, re-
volyers, stones, clubs, anything. 10
ring the fire bell! and the loud rat
Ting, tumbling peal of fire brings all
who have not before known their
danger to the place of safety of pro-
lection. Some come tumbling out
with one pant leg on, at the cry OF
Indians, dodge here and there as II
the air were full of arrows. Every
dark spot appears full of skulklng
savage forms; every sound seems TO
be tl:eir terrible on-comeing. Rev.
Father Mcdonnell was among the
first to shoulder his gun and JOl II
the ranks.
1t has been said that one ordinary
Indian with good lungs, had he az
rived at this opportune moment when
the defense was fully organized, could
have taken the town, and at his
leisure, one by one, the verigated
scalps of all its citizens. But through
q miraculous interposition of Provi-
dence he did not come.
The leaders frey nature, firing of
the strain of momentry expectancy,
he issued another order that scouts
should be thrown out and report
numbers, &C.. of the savages, and in
meantime his headquarters would be
in D. p, Phalons saloon, where he
would receive reports and issue orders.
Minutes passed into hours
and the scouts came and went
in different directions, without en-
countering the enemy. One alone
had not returned, James Rice Jr. had
headed desperately for the last known
place of carnage. While awaiting his
return, the leader organized an i'm
promptu. Grants Memorial Service,
and from chair in the centre Of his
Headquarters addressed those assem-
bled. He spoke of Grant in a strain
quite unusual for him, and compared
him fayorably with Napoleon and
himsel, while throughout he WAS
loudly applauded by the crowd. Sud
denly about dawn, James Rice Jr'
hove in sight, his steel covered with
foam. A deep silence once more fell
upon all, cheeEs again assumed al
asken hue and hands clutched ths
| weapons they held. Again the lead
| er's voice is heard: "Attention. bat.
| talionW "Mr. Rice what are theil
! number and WHICH way are they
coming?" Rice touches his hat and
reported, amid silence where each
man could hear his own laboreG
breath and quick heartbeats: '"Thert
are about twenty, captain, as near a!
I could judge, and it is some dutch
men who have been charivaring a new
married couple"
A great shout rent the air. Every
man was transformed in q second in
to the embodiment of undyip:
bravery. Made comrades by com
mon danger, they clasped each other
hands as they Xoged never toforge
that they stood side by side at such I
time as this, and with enthusiasm, still
lead by the gallant captain, they con
tinued the memorial meeting, ant
otherwise, until yielding to exhaus
ted natures claim they passed the day
i'll much needed and hard-earnee
sleep. AS they lay there on floor ant
table, and OIL each other, in possession
of the field they had held so we'll, VIII,
would cav thew had not earned tin