Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-05-31

Pember, the lover OF thel daughter, Lor-
enza Ravens, attempted 10 escape BY run
nlng. but was oyertaken, speared and
sealped. Daniel Ravens, a son, escaped
BY hiding in the bushes.
From here the Indians pushed on down
the valley. On the hill road near what is
no the Joseph Dearborn place, they sur
prised Peter Button. who tried to fee, but
was dispatched and scalped. After this
the savages left = squad on the Ravens
meadow to guard the prisoners and plum
der, and proceeded down the branch to its
mouth. AT the home OF Joseph kneeland,
where the house Of George W. Ward now
stands, Simeon Belknap, Giles Gibbs,
Jonathan Brown, Joseph kneeland and
his aged father were captured. Next, at
the lone OF Elias Curtis, Mr.. Curtis, John
Kent and Peter Mason were taken.
Al this point the marauders divided
Their force, one party gong north, and
two parties south, one on each side OF
White river. plundering and taking pris-
oners. As Bethel was then provided with
fort, garrisoned by militia, the savages
die not dare to go far in that direction. AT
the Edward RiX farm were taken Adam
and Andrew Durkee. The former died
during the captivity in Canada.
The party that went down the east side
of White river proceeded as far as sharon
was taken. The settlers in this danger
belt had been warmed in advance by Phin-
cas- Parkhurst, who lived with his father,
lilly Parkhurst, one and one-half miles
south Of what IS now So. Royslton. Phin-
cas- was seen by the Indians, received a
bal 10 the side, but rode to Hanover,
=. II.
On the west side of the river, Deacon
Daniel Rixs house was first pundered.
This stood near Don Blake's present home.
From here they swept down as far as
Broad Brook, securing many prisoners
and much booty. Here they crossed and
rejoined their companions at the mouth of
Chelsea branch.
The heroine OF the day was Mrs. Hendee.
She was oyertaken on the road and the
Indians took her seven-year-old boy
from her. Determined not to lose him,
and seeing a large number of the savages
across the river, she made boldly toward
it. A big Indian came across for her and
carried her and her little daughter over
on his back. Then she made so strong
plea for her boy to Lieut.. Horton that
he released him, and likewise eight other
small boys. This took place just above
the island in South Royalton village.
BY o'clock in the afternoon the
various scouting parties had reunited at
the mouth OF the branch, bringing their
prisoners and plumber. They had burned
p dwellings, 16 well filed barns, killed
$50 cattle, many sheep and swine, taken
about 30 horses and destroyed all the
household furniture they could not carry
with them. They had killed the two men
above named and they held twenty-six
men and boys as prisoners. No women
were taken.
The party started Immediately on their
return march to Canada, for they knew
the alarm had been given and that they
would soon be pursued. They were none
too hasty. BY nightfall go armed settlers
had assembled at Royalton. These chose
Capt. House as commander and set out
in the darkness on the trail Of the foe.
The latter had crossed the hill to the
second, or Randolph, branch OF White
river, and were encamped some ten miles
from its mouth. The Americans stumbled
upon their sentries. shots were exchanged
in which one American was wounded and
one Indian killed and one wounded. Then
the foe sent word back that il they were
molested they would dispatch every one
of the prisoners at once. They did Kill
two Of them, Joseph Kneeland and Giles
Gibbs, one in requital for the dead
Indian and the other because be refused
TO move on, with the prospect OF recovery
so near.
While the settlers were debating wheth-
er they should attack or not at dawn, the
foe moved of in the darkness. Passing
through Randolph, they captured Zadock
Steele whom they took to Canada, and
who later wrote a most interesting
" Narrative" Of the burning and the
captivity.
The prisoners were taken TO Montreal,
terrible hardships on the long
journey. In the course OF year or two
they were all redeemed and returned to
their homes except Adam Durkee, who
died.