Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1929-02-14
NIPMUCKS DINE WITH
THE NARRAGANSETTS

The Narragansefts or Norrogan.
setts. which in their language means,
people Of the point" claimed the IS
lands and territory along the western
shores Of the beautiful bay whlea
still bears their name. Their domih-
ions extended about forty miles -
the west ~ far a. the country OF nc
f Pcguots. from whom they were se2a-
rated by tn f'awtucket river, asie me
territory east Of the Quinebnug tL7nB
POnd) and at times fiercely cont *
"a Il with the Nipmueks The Whei-
stone country between the Quineoaug
and Assawnva rivers was also n DIS
pute. Uncag c'aimed that his nors1ar1
boundary extended 10 the Quarry.
and his follower went there Ter "ael
stones, but the Nirluckh turned or
the Narragansetts" An Indian lori
was built at Aeauiunk 81 the junction
Of the Quinebang and AesaNa@a w
ers, now In Daniels0n. fhis s9Ht VIZ
nearly twelve rods IN cir lmfe 'ence'
four or five feet IN height ana &C.
eunied by four families. fra9.tiof
also marks this sport IS an a1oi una
battle ground. the fcene Of inc "21iy
Indian reneonlre" that Is reported
with distinctness. TIE tragedy De-
yeloped in this wise The wat1r oy-
ING. NarraQanaetfs invited their isip-
muck tributaries 10 visit ths=a at the
rhore to dine with them on blue fish
and clans Of whca thcv were eX-
tremeig fond This courtesy vas
ea~cvlv acccp cd. the u country Deo.
Die DISTINGUISHING them7elv b. t'-
liant trencher deeds" The Niumuess
soon after invited the Narragarg,tts
TO a feast Of veuison at killin1ly. aad
auarrelIed with their guests about .'R
dressing Of the food. zone aIta1Ft
gives lamprey cells. without DIRE ng1
"Glum looks and untasted food RUS
ed the ire If the Ni1mueks" Tau -t8
and retorts we're soon followed ~
blows and developed into fight
which the visitors, being unarmed
were all slain except two who
escaped. 10 carry home the news Of
the massacre. Their no ts buried them
deccntly. but grass would never grow
on their graves.
Many Slain
The Narraransetts at once dis
PATCHED body Of warriors 10 the
land If the Nipmucks. where they
found them intrenched at Aequlunk .
on the coast Of the Quinebaug. Un- /
able To cross he stream that Law be-
tween them and their foes they tare@
up embankments and for three days
waged war across the stream. ManJ +
were slain on both sides, but the Nip
mucks were aFain victorious and tofe-
ed their enemy 20 retire leaving then
dead on the field. The bodies Of the
slain we're buried In deep pits on the 5
battle ground which has ever since
been known SIS the Indian Burying
Ground. Numerous bones and trlnk-
els found on the sB0t AMI the stories
Of aged Indians TO ihe first settlers =
Of Killingly give proofs to the legend.
The Narragansetts appreciated the
beautiful in nature and supposed fhoi-
gods did. too-they loved the water,
and to this day their Fishing i've
column of pale flame rises out a.
Quinebaug Lake, or Long Pond once +
in seven years. as those say who hava f
watched beside its waters thou - f
the night.
The Great spirit arranged Si'
treaehory. when the Nipmucks had as
sembled for a pow-wow, with al
necessary equipment for enjoyment
in the grassy valley whore Masha-
oaug Lake now reflects the charming
landscape. and where until lately, the
remains Of forest could be seen be
low the surface. In the height Of the
ravel the god struck away the founda-
tons of the hills, and as the earth
sank. bearing the offending men and
women. waters rushed in and filled
the chasm. so that every person was
drowned. save one old woman beneath I
whose feet the ground held firm.
Loon Island, where she stood remains
IN sieht today.
"The Race of Yore; How are they
blotted from the things that beH'
S.