Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-09-05
Tie Torture Tree


Ind reached the lake and was ready to float down
the susuuehanna to join Sullivan. Sullivan had
established his headquarters at Easton, Pa, late
in May and Immediately found himself In diff
cuities because of the rivalries and jeaouses
among the officers and men from the different
colonies. But he succeeded In smoothing out
most Of these troubles, and July . began his
march with between 5000 and $500 men.
~ Tioga he joined by General Clinton and
pushed boldly forward into the Indian country.
After an occasional skrmsh with few casual
ities he reached the village of Newtown, near the
city of Emira, August -. Here the Indians
and Tories numbering about LOO had laid an
ambush for the Americans. Their plan was to
draw Sullivan Into a deie between river and
ridge and after his army was we'll strung out to
enlade both TANKS with their fire. II they had sue
ceeded the bloody business Of Braddock" might
easily have been repeated there and SuIllyans
expedition failed dsaStrousy at the start. But,
fortunately for him, alAong his forces were three
companies Of AIorgans Nrinemen those stawarts
In buckskin who had played such a prominent
part In the defeat Of Gentleman Johnny Bur-
goyne," and who could out-lndan the Indian at
his own game Among them was the famous Tim
othy Murphy, serving In the company of Capt,
james parr and Lieut.. Thomas Boyd-the same
Tim, Murphy who had fired another "shot heard
round the world when he killed General Fraser
at Saratoga and whose fame as the scout of the
Schoharle to 90 ringing along the whole
frontier
1t was these rlfemen who detected the breast
works. masked by bushes, which the Indians and
Tories had thrown W. In time to save Sullivan
from marching into the trap. lie Immediately
deployed his army for attack, sent General Poor
with his New England regiments TO ontfank the
enemy on his right and brought his artillery to
play upon the breastworks The movement was
an instantaneous success. Terrified by the roar OF
the big guns, the Indians fled and Sullivan scored
decisive victory. The news Of this victory
spread over the Indian country and brought great
Encouragement TO the enemy.
Meanwhile Sullivan was pushing on, destroying
every village which he reached, cutting down the
corn In the fields, girdling the fruit trees and In
general sweeping like wave OF destruction
through the rich country where the Indians had
lived n peace and plenty. BY September IL Sui
Ivan had reached the head of Conesus lake and
found the deserted village of Chief Big Tree. He
knew that he was In the nelghborhood OF the
Genesee river, the heart OF the Seneca country,
where lived the most numerous and most warlike
Of the five tribes But he did not know where the
principal yinge WAS located, and In order to find
out he sent Lieutenant Boyd on scouting expe-
diton. Boyd instructed to select four or FIVE
men to accompany him but made the mistake of
taking twentysix instead, party much too large
to escape detection by the Indians and at the same
time too small to put up an effective fight In case
he came into contact with the enemy.
To-day there stands near the town OF Cuyer-
Vile, N. Y, n granite boulder bearing a bronze
tablet on which appear these words: This way
side shrine marks the place where on September
IA, 17T0 Lieut.. Thomas Boyd and Sergt. Michael
Parker met death undaunted In the line Of duty
after lingering torture. They marked with their
blood the western limit In the state of New York
OF the great struggle for American freedom" Not
far away stands great elm tree, known as the
torture tree" For this Is the spot where took
place tragedy Of the Revolution which Is but lit
tie known to most Americans but which stands
as one OF the most thrilling stories OF dauntess
herosm In the whole history Of that conflict
On the evening or September IL, Boyd and his
party found themselves ut deserted Indian vii
Iage near Canuscragn creek. The young lieutenant
sent two OF his back TO Sullivan TO report his
situation and these two reached their destination
safely In the meantime force OF five or sly
hundred Indians under the command OF Col. jofr
Butler the notorious Tory leader, took up theil
position on Groveand I'LL to resist Sulllvans