The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-07-01
SLAIN BY REDSKINS
An Early Day Story Contributed by
That Battle-Scarred Old Vet.
eran, John NJ. Bursley.
Two Unsophisticated Irish Boys Shot
From Ambush by Horde of
Sneaking Barbarians.

I notice that once in a while some
oldest inhabitant' lapses into a
reminiscent mood and writes Ito me)
very interesting letters for the
U ion, and I think that perhaps,
like a log canoe in stream, there is
room for one more. Therefore 1 will
give you another, hoping that those
who read it will derive some pleasure
therefrom. If so I shall be we'll re-
paid for my efforts. Now for the
story:
My father, Benjamin Bursley,
came to Minnesota on November Is,
1854. arriving at the home of j. W.
Tibbetts, one mile north of what is
now Bailey's station. Mr.. Tibbetts
kept a tavern, or stopping place for
the travelling public where any one
could obtain food and shelter, and
this tavern was the temporary home
of many crews of lumbermen on their
way to and from the virgin pineries of
the roaring Rum.
One night in December of 1855 a
crew of men under old Len Day
afterward the head of the lumber
company of Day & Sons-put up at
the tavern. Wherever old Len Day
was there was also a jug of whisky,
and Outlines the latter was respon-
sible for rollicking, hilarious time.
With Lens crew were two green
Irish boys, direct from the Emerald
Isle. and in the orgy which was carried
on that night these boys we're made
the butt of the hardened sinners of the
woods. AS I look back ffty-fve
years and recall that night it makes
me SILVER. The debauch continued
throughout the night and in the
morning Len, with his crew and a jug
of whisky, started for the woods.
There the men went to work. At that
time the woods were full of Indians
and old Len dished out whisky to
some Of them-a very foolish proceed
ing. Len then commenced to poke fun
at the Indians, who, becoming
angered, left for their tepees, where
they loaded their shotguns and started
on the warpath.
The two Irish boys. who were work.
ing some distance from camp, were
approached by young Indian and
advised by hin to fee for their lives.
He had seen these boys saving and
was anxious to save them, but they
refused to take heed. In fact one OF
them knocked the Indian down.
Within a short time other Indians
stole up behind the Irish boys and
riddled them with buckshot, killing
them instantly. Their bodies re-
manned there for several days as the
lumbermen dared not show them
selves outside Of their log house for
fear of meeting like fate.
Finally peace was declared-the
whisky was all gone-and the men left
their cabin to look for the Irish boys.
It was not long before they found
their bodies. which they loaded upon
a sled and started down river to
Tibbetts' place, where my father made
collins for them, and they were buried
on the banks of Elk river, one mile
north of the old Bailey hotel. I saw
many horrible sights during my four
years in the military service, but
nothing that would approach in
ghastliness the appearance of these
unfortunate boys when they were laid
in their collins.
The funeral of these poor boys was
pathetic scene-there was not dry
eye among all that crew of hardened
woodsmen who stood around the grave
on the bank of the river.
49, j. M. Bursley.