The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-22
TWENTY INDIANs BLOWN UP.
The Exploit of Piucky Maine Girl Of
the oiden Time.
buffalo News.l


In Bingham. in the state Of Maine The
whole region Of the upper Kennebec was at
that time infested byvarious tribes Of Indians
some OF whom seemed disposed to dwell
peacefully with the whites, If possible ON the
land occupied by their fathers, while others
were exceedingly anxious to exterminate the
pale-face intruders.
Mr. BodwelPs family consisted of himself
his wife and three children-the oldest, Han
nah, being 10 years of age, and the others, a
boy aud girl, 10 and respectively. A cabin
had been built, several acres cleared and the
seed sown.
Many Of the neighboring Indians had called
at the cabin, inquiring after the crops and
taken great interest in the children; and
although they had often requested to take
the smaller ones to the camp, and as often
been refused, they appeared friendly and
willing to do what they could for the family.
hannah features were finely formed: her
eyes were dark, and her beautiful brown
nair, generally hanging in tresses over her
shoulders. always called forth from the In
dians expressions Of praise and admiration.
After an acquaintance of several months an
indian chief desired to take Hannah to his
camp and make her one of his own family.
10 this proposition Mr. Bodwell. Of course,
refused to accede, giving as a reason that his
daughter was at the time too young to be
taken from her parents, and suggested to
the chief that while he felt lit his duty as a
father to retain Hannah in his family, he
wished to live on terms of peace with his (the
chief, q tribe, and hoped that the refusal to
comply with his request would not be con-
sidered a mark of disrespect, nor be the
means OF creating an unfriendly feeling be-
tween them.
The savage chief sat a few moments in
silence, and then heaying sigh, replied that
ne was sorry that they would not do as he
wished them and he would visit them but
once more, yet there would be no trouble
with them, and none Of his tribe should in
jure them.
After the chief had left the cabin, Mrs.
bodwell said, James, l believe that Indian
why do you think so ?" inquired her hus-
band.
Because he said he would visit us but
once more, and feel as though that would
be to kill u.s." she replied.
fancy not; he wouldn't do that"
!, Il hope not, but then it would be just like
the Indians"
BE like some of them, | know; but l
think there's no danger.
I'll tell you one thing, now" said Mrs.
Bodwell In decided tone, II shall not 60
to bed tonight mean to be awake il thew
come prowling about here. They'd scalp us
and take Hannah and the other children off
with them"
1t was evident that Mr.. Bodwell himself
was somewhat alarmed; yet wishing to APP
pear as cool as possible, he inquired: Sup
posing they should come, what would you do
II you were awaken"
I'D show fight in some way or another"
few of us"
There are guns in the house." exclaimed
them"
Father" exclaimed Hannah, show
much powder is there in the house?"
"A good quantity"
] know what to do, then"
Yes you women always contrive some-
thing" replied the father, in a sarcastic
tone"
81 know it'll succeed"
Then explain yourself"
You know" said Hannah, shat when
to the door and demands that it be opened,
and those who come with him, If any, stand
just behind him. Now my plan Is to put
some powder under the ground round the
door, and then explode Il when they de-
mand admittance."
Mr.. Bodwell shook his head as he ex-
claimed, impossible"
Il think that it can be DONE" replied the
daughter.
II know it can" said Mrs. Bodwell.
GU can try 1t # you wish, was Mr.. Bod
welps reply as he proceeded to get the pow
der.
After digging suitable hole they filed it
with powder and small stones, and laying a
fuse SO that 1t could be lighted from the in
SIDE, the mine was pronounced complete by
Mr.. Bodwell, who. though he distrusted the
scheme when II was first suggested, was now
almost In ecstacy over 1t.
AS night approached the muskets were
loaded, the doors barred and the lights ex-
tlngulshed. Mr. Bodwell took his station at
the lookout" as the orifice in the wall was
called. Several new holes had been made to
nre through. and It was understood that
alter the explosion, IL any human forms were
seen the muskets should be discharged at
once.
yet no visitors. Night was we'll advanced
When all nature seemed asleep the listening
ear caught the sound of a foutstep in the dis
lance, then another. and still another. Mrs.
Bodwelrs fears were about to be realized. A
form was visible in the starlight, and then
second, and so on until between twenty
and thirty Indians stood before the door.
They were close together and most Of them
stood on the mine.
The chief advanced, and striking on the
door with his club, exclaimed, "Paleface,
open door. Me brakeit it."
All was still within the cabin.
Again the Indian knocked, and demanded
that the door be opened.
Mr.. Bodwell pointed his musket through
the oritce in snch manner that the muzzle
was III nut Will the H6du OF the cnlel. linen
giving the signal for Hannah to touch the
fuse, he aimed and fired, and as the victim
fell the magazine exploded, and 20 Indians
met their fate while on mission of cruelty
and death.
Those not killed by the explosion took to
their heels, but bullets from the remaining
muskets brought two of them to the ground.
Everything was quiet now, and as the rays
Of the sun were lighting up the eastern hills,
the gallant family unbarred the door and
stepped out to gaze upon the scene. 1t was
terrible to look upon the mangled forms of
the redskins, but the reflection that their
own lives were saved was sufficient to vindi-
cat the slaughter that had been made.
That day Mr.. B0dwell was visited by three
pioneers, who were exploring the country
with view to settling. They assisted him
in burying the bodies of the Indians, and re-
manned a number of days to protect him and
his family should other savages seek revenge
No further trouble, however, was expert
enced. The explorers settled in that i'm
mediate vicinity, and in a few years Hannah
married a son of one of them. And although
she has now passed from earth, her life was
one of industry, virtue and happiness, and
she had the satisfaction before she died of
seeing her oldest son inaugurated governor
M his nofiva Stato