Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-06

The log cabin in which the Gardner
family lived, and in which they were
slain, is still standing on the identical
spot. 1t is a very simple one-room
log shanty, like those built by the first
settlers. 1t has not been changed, ex-
cept to preserve it. The roof has been
renewed and the floors have been put
in recently. Otherwise the hut is in
tact. Mrs. Abigail Gardner Sharp is
there during the summer season, for
the lake has become great summer
resort and thousands of pleasure
seekers visit the spot every summer.
In the hut are many Indian relics and
objects OF historic interest to an
1owan. The cabin is built OF the in
| ferior timber that was to be found in
the lake region at that early day.
Some of the logs are oak and some red
elm, and others something else.
Abigail Gardner has had some
pictures painted, from memory of the
scenes enacted on the spot. The pic
lures are badly done, and it seems a
pity, too, for it makes the whole thing
appear rather ridiculous than other
wise. Think of having daub of such
an important scene as the massacre.
But that is neither here nor there.
If she gets enjoyment out of those hor-
rid pictures that is her advantage and
the rest of us ought to be able to stand
it if she derives any comfort.
There are also several objects of
grewsome and uncanny interest that
were found when the bodies were
raised in 1895, thirty-eight years after
their first interment. In one of the
Mattock graves was found a shoe sole
that had scarcely decayed particle.
Several buttons were found in differ,
ent graves. One boy who was MUIR
dered and buried had two and half
dollar gold coin in his pocket. The
gold piece was placed among the relics
to show visitors. One day last sum
mer while Mrs. Sharp was absent for
a few minutes the coin disappeared
Some wretch had stolen it out of the
case and carried it away. One would
think it would burn hole into his
conscience even as the silver annoyed
the soul of Judas.
Mrs. Abigail Gardner Sharpe has
charge of the log cabin and of the
grounds. She charges an admission
fee of twenty-five cents, and she sells
her book which gives very graphic
account of the massacre.
One would think she would get aw.
fully tired of telling the same old sto
ry over and over again. but it has be
come sort of second nature, and she
tells it without much thought But il
must have changed her life greatly.
/ | asked her if she supposed she hat
ed the Indians worse than other people
do She replied very quickly: g
don't hate them half so much. | de
not blame them at all. for they knew
not what they were doing" 1t is 6
very charitable, Christian view to take
Iof it, but l do not believe that they
did not know what they were about
They not only knew, but they knew sc
we'll that they came under the guise Of
friendship in order to save their owr
lprecious hides.
l have told you that Mrs. Thatcher
was also carried into captivity. Mrs
noble was killed the first or SECOND
day out and Mrs. Thatcher was com
PEELED to walk III several days, bu
she grew very i'll and one day as the.
were crossing a stream on loot los
she was pushed off into the ice colo
water. She managed to swim ant