The Arizona champion., 1891-01-17
OLD CHICAGO.
"Reminiscences of the Great
 Western Metropolis.
ONLY THIRTEEN HOUSES FIFTiYEARS AGO.
How Chicago was Saved From an h.
 dian Massacrs.

My father took claim on the North Side near tue river and not far from Mir. Clybournes said Mrs Mary Ann Draper. "Here we lived for quite a long time. have gone through many dangers and hardships or tue North Side in early days The Indians were numerous and were always coming and going Sometimes they were friendly and sometimes they were not My father always had his gun and sword by the bed at night and a dog in the house Often he would not remove his clothing The Indians would come up and go around the house. ;and now and then strike their tomahawks into the logs and cry Chan in chan muck mu-uo good white man l don't see why they didn't kill us They did kill one man and woman just before they treated They hung the man up in the woods and threw the woman in the lake
 .'I think there were only thirteen dwell ing houses. all told when came to Chi cago My father helped to build the ia nous Green Tree Tavern. These houses could not all be seen at one view The grass was south and all the North Side nearly was covered with very heavy woods Wild rice grew in the river. and beautiful white and yellow pond lilies were to be seen along the shores l had sev- eral adventures and some narrow escapes.
 But l want to tell you how. 1 some times believe. saved Chicago from massacre This adventure call my bridge disaster l was about 13 years old then. and we lived on the North Side. near the junction of the north and south branches of the river Mother wanted me to go to market So took tue basket on my arm and started for the only bakery then in Chicago. which was on the West Side. and also for the only meat market in town. which was on the South Side where Mr Clybourne had his shop Near the two rivers was a pole bridge which l had to cross l went over all right and secured my bread and meat. but on my return found the bridge blockaded with Indian ponies and should say there were about 2000 savages in that vicinity The ponies were stationed on the bridge in such manner that it was supposed no one could get through But passed over with my basket by going along on the ends of the poles outside of a rough rail ing At the farther end stood big In dian with a long knife in his hand l shied around him. too. and had gotten fairly over only when the bridge broke down and tumbled poles and ponies pen nell together in the river. A thousand war whOops seemed to rend the air, and the big Indian whooped the lOudest of all, and. lifting his great knife, started after me.
 ''Runl should think I did. ran through house near by quicker than can tell it. and the Indian after me dodged into thicket of wild apple trees. md got into the woods and made my es- cape But did not feel safe until my long hair was shorn of and my disguise 50 complete that the Indians would not recog- nize me This racket called out the gar rison at the fort The drums beat. and even my brother ran around. crying out The wars commenced. the wars commenced, get your guns ready quick Alexander Robinson. the chief of the tribe. used to tell me that the Indians thought had bewitched the bridge and brought on the calamity and therefore tried to kill me Later in the day however they changed their minds and said l was a fairy sent by the Great Spirit to punish them because they would not treat with the Thite men The treaty was agreed upon that very afternoon. and peace, in. stead of a massacre. prevailed. Thus, expect helped to save Chicago. Chi cago Herald.