The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1915-04-16
THE BLOCK HOUSE.
Written for the Ladies Literary Club by
Mrs. S. A. COOPER.
Concluded from last week.

Loading as he ran he turned his purSuerS to find
that five Indians that seemed to be the remainder OF
The party had stopped to debate what to do with the
fallen braves
Hugh hesitated but for instant, he knew well the
revengefu spirit of the Indians and that of them
would escape. He started on a dead run as it was
now getting quite dusk. AS he came to the foot of
the hill leading up to the Blockhouse he overlook his
wife who well nigh exhausted with fright and her
load.
"Where is Jncy?" the mother cried as the father al
most breahess from their escape for the first
time missed the little girl
No returning now before morning. They passed on
and were let into the stockade where they found
small guard and three other families that had arrived
earlier IN the afternoon from the Kisskmlni
tas where they had been attacked by Indians
the warpath. The troops from the Blockhouse had
started pursuit and had not yet returned although
they were expected for it was very dangerous to be In
the dense forest after night not knowing at what
moment they might fall into an ambuscade Shortly
after o'clock the signal gun heard near the
stockade and the militia filed in reporting that the
Indians had dispersed into small squads going in diff
erent directions perhaps feint to keep from being
pursued, and would likely unite again in order to at
tack some settlers farther up the river. Two more
families came in that night making six families in all
with ten mitamen to guard the StOckade
The families accommodated themselves to the piles
of straw and leaves with blankets for covering within
the Blockhouse.
But there was no sleep for Hugh Miller and his wife
that night They scanned the country to the east
through the portfolios wondering what had become OF
their little daughter expecting to see the sky lit up
with the burning of their cabin 1t was dreadful
night OF suspense for them.
The garrison was aStlr early the women preparing
the breakfast of bread, game meat, home made hom-
iny and Coffee after the routine of work and daylight
appeared Hugh Miller and SIX mlltiamen started to
learn the fate of the little girl 1t did not take them
long to cover the distance and they in sight
of the house they saw the door open Surely the
Indians were there had been for Hugh remembered
closing it. With guns all loaded they started on the
tha tha and tho
clearing, the COWS were In the mcosure unharmed, a
few rods more.
Two young men more fleet than the rest were at the
door first They stopped for the savage grow of the
dog standing up on the bed caused them to halt His
master coming up and calling him by name he still
mained very fierce and it was few moments befor
he would allow his master to approach the bed
There to his great Joy was the little girl just rous-
ing from her sleep The faithful Rover had found
her and led her back to the house where she knew
enough to get in bed and cover herself and most
likely soon sleeping soundy unconscious of her danger
The men looking around for some time could see no
trace of the Indians the dead had been TAX
en- away.
They were evidently off to the north for the trapping
season and it time before the settlers were
again molested.
The men returned to the Bockhouse bearing the
little girl in triumph her fathers shoulder, with
the faithful Rover following proudly every in
awhile giving bark of delight The JOY at her safe
ty greater if possible than the grief had BEEN
The women and children remained at the stockade
for few days until they the hostile Indians
had gone while the would return to their homes
through the day to work and care for their stock
Many lasting friendships were formed from these
meetings at the Blockhouse Mr. and Mrs. Caen
there with four small boys and they were very
anxious that the Mllers should come to their settle
ment and live there would be much more security
and company for them The terrible loneliness for
pioneers IN settling must have been almost unbearable
1t took brave hearts to settle up country and de-
prive themselves of all social pleasures and live in con-
tinual dread of being massacred
week later Hugh Miller and his family were back
at their humble home but the experience they had
gone through made them decide to over to the
Kisskminitas. Taking his family to the stockade for
few days for safety he was gone three days and
so much pleased with the land and nearer Fort Pitt
that he resolved to move before winter set in The
people were kindly and helped him raise small cabin