The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-04-10
A Wrong to Avenge.

English settlers interfered to help
Uncas.
A Wrong to Avense.
Canonchet Tor Na-nun.tinu) was
Miantonomoh's son. In time he be-
came chief of the Narragansetts. A
Massachusetts, colonist thus sums up
his appearances: HE is large mus
cular man, of great courage Of mind
as we'll as strength of body" The
young Narragansett ruler was not at
first strong enough to declare his In
tention of avenglng Miantonomoh's
sacrifice. So. he went Gas his father
before him had gomez to Boston as
guest of the English. There lie was
hattered and made much Of, even as
Mlantonomoh, once had been. The
English had given Miantonomoh a
shirt, Of mail. They presented Canon
Chef with a gorgeous red coat laced
with silver. And they managed, as in
Mlantonomoh's case, to induce him
to sign treaty that was favorable to
the colonies. In fact, he appeared to
have forgotten any grudge he had
ever held. But, whereas Miantonomoh
had been honest in his oath Of friend
ship, there is every reason to believe
Cononchet was not. He accepted the
Establishments gifts, listened with a
grave face to their flattery, signed the
treaty, and-then went back to his
people and secretly made ready for re-
yenge.
King Philip, son of Massasot, de-
clared war on the English. Canon
chefs chance had come. He sent his
braves on the warpath as allies of
Philip. He gave refuge aIa Hhelter
to the wives and children et HAllip's
warriors. He was paying the first in
ksallmeIttbf this debt 81 hatred. Ard
E;tHei sstGnd sb6nf followed. The Eng
lish learned with panied surprise that
the man they had so layishly enter
tanned and had dressed in silver
laced coat was actually enrolling him
self among their enemies. So, in
March, 1876, they sent an expedition
under Capt. Michael Pierce to punish
Canonchet /. for breaking his treaty
pledges. nass- 10
N Pierce and his troops marched into
nthe Narragansett country andonearthe
/ !Pawtucket river falls found CanonGhe ct
with 400 Indian braves at. hisaback.
Canonchet,: as Il In fear, crossed the
river with his men. Pierce followed in
hot pursuit. But as the English militia
men reached the farther bank the re-
treating Canonchet suddenly halted
and gave the order to attack. He had
lured the English across the ice
clicked stream In order to prevent
them from escaping into the forest.
With the river at his back, and the
Indians rushing down upon him from
the banks above, Piercekwas caught in
a trap. He formed his soldiers in
double line of battle, back to back, on
the brink of the stream. and prepared
to meet the avalanche Of savage as.
sault as best he might. During the
fierce battle that ensued Canonchet
and hfSbravcs slew tfeatls Every man
in Pierceis geommqpA EYA =
! News q tas dsastf 7 Z, s4 pr reused
all New England Every colony there
was called on for, militiamenJt 10 crush
Canonchet. A strong force of soldiers
and friendly Indians under Capt.
George Denisong bore upon his camp,
took him by surprise. CaEonchet made
a dash for the nearby river, meaning
to leap into its waters and swim to
safety. AS he ran he threw away the
sIlyer-laced coat the English had given
him. The Indian allies Of the col
onists gave chase, but Canonchet's
leetness OF foot kept him we'll ahead
OF them. Just as he neared the bank
he slipped in the mud and fell. Be
fore he could scramble to his feet he
was seized.
A Last Defiance.
The captured chief made no resist
ance. In fact, he treated his captors
as though they we're slaves; scOrning
to speak to them or look in their d.
dection. He was taken before the au-
thorities, who offered him release un-
der certain humiliating conditions. He
refused, adding:
q wish. to hear no more talk about
treaties or freedom. The English have
burned my people in their homes. BY
killing me you will not end the war.
There are other Narragansetts as
brave as l."
The English gave Canonchet over to
their Indian friends for execution. AS
he was led forth 10 death he said:
~ like this well. shall die before
my heart grows Cowardly and before
have said anything unworthy Of my
greatness"
He was shot. His severed head was
sent by his fathers Michigan foes to
tie English governor at Hartford, and
his body was burned.
(Copyrlght.)