The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-12-23
AN INDIANA MASSACRE.
Anniversary of Al Day of Frightful
Hatchery.

buIcheFy.
The massacre by Indians of the set
tiers Of Pigeon Roost, Blocker, Ind,
is recalled by the recent celebration Of
that event, when the story of the
frightful deeds of the red men was
told anew.
In 1909 the first settlement in this
section was formed three miles south
of Vienna, known as Pigeon Roost
settlement, named from a creek that
still bears the name. This particular
point held out at least two inducements
10 those who were acquainted with the
situation, and which doubtless led to
the settlement. First, the heavy tim
Der in that locality had been selected
as roOsting place for the passenger pi-
geOns, and has been no doubt for many
Years. This afforded them an album
dance of game to assist the pioneers in
making a living for their families. So
great was the number of pigeons that
trees were twisted, bent and broken
down by the immense weight that they
had TO sustain. Thousands were killed
by the falling timber. and during brood
ing season the settlers fattened their
hogs from the young that fell from
the nests. Hence. this was naturally
a very desirable place to form a settle.
ment. And Just as desirable for the
Indians as a hunting ground This
may be given as one of the reasons for
the horrible scene that was enacted
there a few years later. Duringthe time
the settlers were locating themselves
and for more than two years after
ward, they were on friendly terms with
the Indians who frequented the region.
and who visited the settlement, often
shooting at targets with the whites
and in many ways showing their friend,
ly disposition toward them.
The immediate cause of the trouble
is not known. The Indians had pet
deer which disappeared, and some
charged the whites with taking it. and
took revenge. Others thought the
British prompted them to action
through the influence of Tccumsph.
the noted chicftain, who was rousiue
all the Indian tribes to action against
the frOntiersmen. This last is perhaps
the most plausible reason for the out
rage. On September 3, 1912. while bee
hunting three miles away. John Payne
and James Coffman were surprised and
killed, the latter being a guest from
Kentucky of Mr.. Paynes. The say,
ages next killed Mrs. Henry Collins
who was returning home from a visit
two miles away. Then, making their
way to the settlement. they waylaid
and killed the family of Mr. Payne
which consisted of wife and four chill.
dren. Their bodies were dragged back
to the house they had left in irving
to make their escape, and were thrown
within and the dwelling set on fire.
Richard Collins wife and seven chill.
dren, John Richey and wife, who were
the near neighbors of the Paynes, had
early seen the Indians approaching
and made good their escape by way OF
a cornfeld and remained away from the
settlement for several days. Soon sew.
eral Indians stopped behind corn
crib and others went to the house OF
Samuel Richey. One appeared at the
door of old Mr.. Collins house and the
aged man fired at him, and he disap,
peared, leaving a trail of blood Col.
Inns reloaded and fired at an Indian in
Richey's door, VINO fell back into the
house. Night was approaching. but the
Indians still remained at Richey's
house. The inmates of the Collins
homestead thought it best to try to
effect an escape, which they did, with
Collins in the rear. \ shot from the
enemy struck him and severely wound
ed him, hut his family succeeded in
reaching the Charleston settlement
The Indians never ceased from their
terrible work until every person in
the settlement was either killed or had
escaped.
When the alarm was given. party
pursued the Indians, but with no result,
The next morning when revisited by
the whites all the houses in the settle
ment were in ashes, and the ground
was almost covered with mangled bod.
les of settlers. The remains were bur.
led in common grave, and the spot is
now marked by a sassafras tree now al.
most four feet in diameter. being per.
haps the largest tree of the kind in
southern Indiana.-Chicago Chronicle.
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