Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-01-15

same day killed John DelIlnger on
the land now the residence of Capt.
Anthony spengler, adjoining the
town, and took Rachel Dellinger,
with her infant child, prisoners. 1t
was male child, very stout, and
heavy Oflts age. In crossing Sandy
ridge, west of Capon river, this
child had it's brains beaten out
against a tree. A party of white
men pursued them, overlook them
in the South Branch mountain, fir
ed upon them, and killed one, when
the 9th ers fed, leaving every thing
behind. Rachel Dellinger was
brought home, and stated that the
unprincipled seconded Mitchell was
with the Indians. About twelve
months before, Mitchell had been
punished for a petty act Of theft,
while the people were at Bowman's
fort.-Miller and Dellinger inillct.
the punishment.(a)
At the massacre Of the people
near Whites fort, one of Mrs.
Thomas daughters, when the peo-
pie were preparing to 90 the fort,
was requested by Mrs. Clouser to
take a bottle of milk in her hand,
and carry it to the fort. When the
Indians assalled them, this young
woman concealed herself behind
tree, and finally escaped. AS sOOn
as she could run off without being
discovered, she started and ran
eight or nine miles with the bottle
Of milk in her hand. She was met
by two of the Fawcetts, near their
residence, informed them of what
had happened, and they forthwith
removed their families to Stephens
fort.(b)
4 little son of Mrs. Thomas con-
cealed himself under a pile OF flax,
which the Indians set on fire. AS
the fire progressed, the little fellow
kept in a direction to avoid 1t while
the smoke concealed him from the
sight Of the enemy, and he got safe
to the fort.
Thomas Pugh resided at the time
on the farm, late the residence of
Mr.. John NJ Cool, eight or nine
miles north west Of Winchester.
The same party Of Indians who
committed the outrage near Whites
fort, on the night after were lurk.
ing about Mr.. Pugh's house. His
dog gave the alarm; and from his
singular behavior, and manifesto
tions of rage, (as if he were engag-
ed in a furious BATTLE Mr.. Pugh
cautiously looked out at a window
and although it was rather dark
night, he discovered several In
dians looking over n cluster of
briars but a short distance from
his house. He and his wife and
children Immediately rctreated
through a back door and pushed
of. They had not gone far, before
Pugh recollected his money; he
turned back, got into the house,
secured his money, took it with him
and saved himself and family from
injury. During the whole time
Pugh and his family were making
their escape, the dog continued his
uproar, and as soon as they were
ont Of danger, followed them.(c)
The Indians broke into the house,
robbed it Of what they chose, and
destroyed the furniture; bnt they
did not burn the building. 1t is
said they burnt comparatively but
a few houses, because they ex-
pected to reconQuer the country,
and return to inhabit it; in which
event they would have comfortable
houses ready built to their hands
hence they generally spared the
buildings.
About the year 1765, the Indians
made their appearancein the neigh
borhood OF Woodstock, in the coun-
ty of Shenandoah. On Narrow Pas
sage creek, eighteen or twenty |
women and children had collected |
together, in order to go to the fort |
at Woodstock. An old man by the |
name of George Sigler was with |
them. Eve Indians attacked them. !
Sigler, after firing, and wounding
one in the leg, dubbed his gun and !
fought to desperation. While he
was thus engaged, the women and
children made their escape, and |
got safe into the fort. Sigler broke |
his gun over the heads Of the enc
my, wounded several Of them pret-
ty severely, and received himself
several wounds, but continued the |
fight until he fell from the loss of
blood, when his merciess enemies
mangled his body in manner
shocking to behold.(d)
In 1766 the Indians made anoth-
or visit to the neighborhood of
Woodstock. Two men, by the
name Sheetz and Taylor, had ta-
ken their wives and children into a
wagon, and were on their way to
the fort. At the Narrow Passage,
three miles south of Woodstock,
five Indians attacked them. The
two men were killed at the first
onset, and the Indians rushed to
seize the women and children. The
(a) lato Mrs. Brinkcr related the pariic-
ulars Of these occurrences to the author.