The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-03-24
PIGEON ROOST BUTCHERY
An Indiana Massacre Of Many
Years Ago.
A Recent Celebration of the Anniver-
sary of the Event REEVES
Memories Of Fright
full Deeds.

is recalled by the recent celebration OF
that event, when the story of the
ir.ightful 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 EouSt
settlement, named from u creek tha;
stll bears the name. This particular
point held out at least tw o inducements
so 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 a roost,ug place for the passenger pi-
lcCus, and has been no doubt for many
Years. This afforded them an abun-
lance Of game TO assist the pioneers in
.alirg living fer their families. So
i"at was the number o. pigeons that
trees were twisted. bent and broken
DOWN by the immense weight that they
lad 10 sustain. Thousands were killed
Ivy the falling timber, and during brood
ing season the settlers fatterrl heir
.ogs from the young that fen from
he nests. Hence. this was naturally
a very desirable place 10 form Il settle
ment. And just as desirable for the
Indians rs hunting ground. This
may he given ae one of the reasons for
The horrible scene that was enacted
there a few years later. DuriuCthc time
he settlers were locating themselves
and fr~ more than, two years alter
ward, they were on friendly terms with
The Indians who frenueUtcd the rcrion,
ard who visited the settlement. often
shooting at targets with the whites
and in mauy ways showing their friend
" disposition toward them.
The immediate cause Of the trouble
: not known. The Indians had pet
deer which disappeared, and some
charged the whites with taking il. and
took revenge. Others thought the
British prompted them to action
through the Influence of Tccuw~"h
The noted ohicftnjr. who was rousing
all the Indian tribes TO action a~ainst
: ne fronticrsmcu. This last is perhaps
the most plausible reason for the out
~a~n. On September ?. 1870, while lie"
uniting three miles away. John Pawn"
nd James Coffman were surprised and
killed. the latter being Il guest from
Nentucky Of Mr.. Paync's. The say
s~es next killed Mrs. Henry Collins.
Who was returning home from visit
two miles away. Then, making their
way TO the settlement. they Warlaid
and killed the family Of Nr. pavrc.
which consisted of n wife and four chill
'1cn. Their bodies were dragged barl.
TO the house they had left n tryir"
10 make their escape, and were throre
within and the dwelling set on fire.
Richard Collins wife and seven chill
dren, John Richey ard wife, who were
thc near ncighbors of the Payncs. had
carly seen the Indians approaching
ard made good their escape by way OF
4 cornficld and remained away from the
ge.t1ement for several days. Soon soy
cral Indians stopped behind n corn
crib and others went to the house OF
Samuel Richev. One appeared at the
door Of old Mr.. Collins house and the
acrd man fred at him. and he dieaD-
reared. leaving n trail 81 blood Col
Inns reloaded and fired AZ IN Indian in
pirhcv's door. who fell back into the
house. Night was approaching. but the
Irdians still remained al Eiohcy's
house. The inmates Of the Collirs'
homestead thought il best TO try 10
effect an escape, which they aid, With
Collins in the rear. A shot from the
enemy struck him and severely wound
Cd him, but 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, n 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 n common grave, and the spot is
now marked by n sassafras tree now al
most four feet in diameter. being per-
haps the largest tree of the kind in
southern Indiana.--Chicago Chronicle.