The times., 1897-04-18


Terrible Storm.
The recent discussion in the Senate Of
the Perrine land grant matter brings TO
mind one OF the shocking tragedies Of
the bloody Indian wars in Florida, during
the early history OF that State. Dr. Per
Tine was a scholar, distinguished for nigh
classic and literary attachments, and had
devoted a great deal OF time to the study
Of botany, and was an enthusiast on this
subject. The southern part Of the Florida
peninsula was chosen by him as the scene
OF his studies, and he located on iDdian
Key, a little island a few miles south of
lower Metacunbee Island, and fifteen miles
northw est Of Alligator Reef light. Here he
lived with his family, pursuing has stu Hes,
visiting the neighboring islands and the
mainland, and experimenting WITH various
plants, trees, and fruits. At the time OF
his murder, which occurred August Y
1870, ali his notes.-the wOfh Of wears
of patient study and Iabgr--1ge ere destroyed
by the burning OF his house, which followed
close upon his murder. In his taking off,
science lost a bright ornament, as well
as a most valuable contribution to scien-
tific and practical knowledge OF the botany
Of Florida
The folio wing is a SUMMARY of the
event, taken from the History of the
Florida War" complied by Capt. John T.
Sprague, Eighth United states Infantry.
The lower peninsula was inhabited By the
Spanish Indians, who We're not at first
involved in the Seminole war, bot being
eueroached upon by other Indians, and
dnveninto the swamps by the whites, they
finally became participants, and were
guilty OF some of the most shocking atrOCi-
ties that made this war a series Of hOnOrs.
They plndered and murdered unfortunate
seamen who were wrecked on the Islands
or eoasa, attacked various settlements on
the islands and mainland. on the Tth Of
August, 1870, a chief named Chekika led
an attack ON the little island, Indian Key,
where Or. PerIine and several other settlers
lived, and massacFed nearly every one,
except the wife and children Of the unfor-
tunate doctor.
1t was between 2 and 3 O'Clock in the
morning that the family were awakened
by the firing OF guns and the breaking OF
EI1So III b44G nAAANOfo VI LA4NAA NLArlAAA.FlAn
Mrs. Perrine and her three children de
scenGed to a small room az the foot Of the
stairs. and through a tTap-doOr into a
cellar used for bathing, as the tide filled
it twice a day DR.. Perrine accompanied
them as far as the trap-doOr, and then said
he would 90 back and see what he COUlldO.
When the Indians were heard battering
the outer door. Mrs. PeTTine and her chill
dren passed down into the water. and by
crawling through a narrow PassaSeway,
three feet by four. they reached a safe
hiding place under a wharf Here they
heard the shrieks and waThOops OF the
savages as they looted and burned the
neighboring houses, and finally heard them
beutiug on the door OF their Own house, and
then their sun more hideOus yells as they
reached the hiding place OF the doctor in
the CupOla on the roof.
Then swiftly followed the torch. and
their once happy home was mass of
flames and the funeral pyTe u the husband
and father. Thefre soon tuHb! ed the walls
OF the house into the cellar, filling their
hiding place with smoke and heat 80 IN
tense that the son. young Henry Perrine,
began to scream. and, To prevent diScOy-
cry. Mrs Perrine held her hands over his
mouth, while his sister held his hands.
Unable to endure the torture Of heat and
smoke, he finally broke away, and crawlei
out through the mud and water, Sa ying
ne would rather be killed by Indians
than be suffOCated and burned Mother
and daughter soon had to take the same
risk. and, on emerging in the open water,
saw Henry standing LOOKING at the burn
ing houses. Seeing a large boat OF launch
near the shore, they climbed into it, and,
beckoning Henry TO join them, they soon
pOled or padded the boat beyond gun
shot from the Key. They had one paddle
and two uoles, and went mile or more
with these, when they We're picked up
by a boat from the schooner Medium,
transport vessel, where they found some
of their neighbors, who mad the good for
tune to escape also by means of boats.
Two officers of the United s tates Navy,
McCreery and Murray, were OH board, and
gave all possible aid to the distressed
family, who had escaped in their night
| clothes only.
They were on board the transport two
lays, enCOunteUng a terrible storm, and
were. also in danger of being attacked by
| Indians, who swarmed around the KEYS
| in their boats. The fugitives were II
! nany taken aboard the United states
| schooner Flirt, which took them TO Cape
| Florida, where the family of DT PeInne
took passage on the steamer santee for
| st. Augustine. In December following
! an expedition, under Lieut.. Col. Harvey,
| Second Dragons, with detachment OF
! the Third Artillery, supplied with canoes
| pursued this band OF Indians, and af;'r
| threading this Wexplored region OF mud
marsh and water, came upon their camp,
| and attacked it vigorously. Chekka, tie
| Spanish Indian chief, was killed, with
| several others. and six taken prisoners
| who were executed as murdeTeTs.