Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-09-10
The Threatened Burning of John
Harris at the Stake


John Harris, q native of Yorkshire,
England, commenced a settlement on
the present site of Harrisburg about
the year 1913. His first house was
erected on the lower bank of the river,
and not far from that spot he is
buried.
Some distance east of his house was
erected long range OF sheds,-a
warehouse for storing peltry, and so
forth, that he obtained in traffic With
the Indian traders who brought them
from the western country. From this
point they were shipped to Philadel-
phia, in the early days on pack horses
and later by the Conestoga wagon.
Near the sheds was the Ferry Lot,
and the main terminus of the ferry
which crossed the river to the western
shore.
Mr.. Harris intercourse with the In
dians was extensive, as he was sur
rounded by Indian villages situated
on the neighboring islands and the
adjacent shores of the river. 1t goes
without saying that these Indian visi-
tors were sometimes very troublesome.
Their desire for strong drink fire.
quently led them to violent and law
less action. On a certain day in the
year 1920, a party of Indians consist
ing of members of the Mahanoy, Ma
hantango, or Shawanese tribe who
predatory or trading expedition stop
ped at the house of Mr. Harris on
their return northward. A great many
Of them were under the influence of
liquor, and consequently were very
ugly, demanding of Mr.. Harris more
'1um -lum," meaning West India rum.
AS a rule Mr.. Harris was very wary
in supplying the Indians with liquor,
and 1t was his uniform custom not to
trade with them in that commodity.
and not to supply them with any drink
when they were intoxicated. His re-
fusal to grant them drink exasperated
them, and without any warning they
seized the old settler and manifested
every intention of torturing and burn
ing him alive.
An old mulberry tree which legend
says was bearing blossoms when Penn
landed, stood near at hand on the
river bank, and furnished a con-
venient stake. To this tree he was
tied, dry wood was gathered and piled
around his feet, and torches prepared
to kindle the pile, the savages mean
while wildly dancing around him in
their usual appalling manner.
Among Mr.. Harris retainers was a
negro slave named Hercules, who see
ing the dire extremity of his master,
hastened across the river to the In
dian village opposite, near the mouth
of the Yellow Breeehes, where dwelt
tribe of friendly Indians, the Paxton
tribe, and summoned them to the res
cue. Messengers were also sent to
another friendly tribe at the mouth
of the Conodoguinet. Before any dam
age was done, the rapid approach Of
the friendly Indians drove the ma
rauders from their flendish work, and
put them to flight.
This scene is depicted in a famous
oil painting, the original of which is
now in the possession of the State. 1t
represents the old settler, bound to a
huge mulberry tree growing but
few rods from his mansion. Groups of
fierce looking Indians, with their
hideous painted faces and in warrior
costume surround him, some piling
the faggots about his tied feet; others
looking on with an expression of fend-
ish satisfaction; the victim standing
like martyr awaiting his doom. The