USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 14
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 14
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 14
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 14
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 14
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 14
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ty, and many have passed through into York. Their exact num- ber we cannot possibly ascertain; we can only inform you, that in this town and its neighborhood, there are upwards of two hundred families, many of which are in the greatest exigence; the small pox and flux raging much among them ; and from hence you may form a judgment of the numbers distressed through the other parts of this county, as well as at York. The other sums being almost expended, we conceived that immediate relief should be sent up, that those poor people may be enabled to employ a physician for the recovery of the sick, as well as to purchase bread for their families; and this alone is what their present necessities call for.
We are, &c., WILLIAM THOMSON,
Itinerant Missionary for the counties of York and Cumberland. FRANCIS WEST, THOMAS DONNELLON,
Wardens of the Episcopal Church, Carlisle.
In consequence of this information, a large supply of flour, rice, medicine, and other necessaries, were immediately for- warded for the relief of the sufferers. And to enable those, who chose to return to their plantations, to defend themselves against future attacks of the Indians, the Vestry of Christ Church and St. Peter's were of opinion that the refugees should be furnished with two chests of arms, and half a bar- rel of powder, four hundred pounds of lead, two hundred of swan shot, and one thousand flints. These were accordingly sent, with instructions to sell them to snch prudent and good people as are in want of them, and will use them for their defence, for the prices charged in the invoice .- Revd. B. Dory's His. Acc. of Christ and St. Peter's Church, Phila. p. 139-142.
Passing, it should be remarked, that many individuals made every effort to see the new settlements protected. Among them was David Scott, of Great Cove, when the first hostilities were committed by the Indians in that plac eand Conococheague, who gave his bond to pay and maintain twenty-seven men of a scouting party for three months ; dur- ing which time they repulsed the Indians who made attempts on the Great Cove, and the inhabitants got their crops reap- ed .- Votes of Assem. V, 297.
In these distressed circumstances, the inhabitants of Cum- berland again applied, by petition, for relief :
A petition from the inhabitants of the Great Cove, and Conococheague, in the county of Cumberland, was presented
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to the house and read, setting forth, that the petitioners, by the late depredations and ravages of the Indians, committed on their neighbors, being in very imminent danger, were un- der the necessity of taking into pay a number of men, amount- ing to thirty, accustomed to hunting, endured to hardships, and well acquainted with the country, for the protection of themselves and families. That the said men, being a body of intrepid, resolute fellows, under the command of one who was a captive with the Indians for several years-scouted at a considerable distance, and, by despatching runners, gave the inhabitants timely notice of any impending danger, by means whereof they have been enabled to continue on their plantations, and stand a barrier to the interior neighboring settlements. That had not this expedient been fallen upon, they must have deserted their habitations, and depended upon the charities of others; and that although they are very sen- sible of, and gratefully acknowledge, the care of the legisla- ture, in granting a number of men for the protection of the frontiers, yet they find themselves under the necessity of em- ploying this body of men, inasmuch as the soldiers grant- ed for their department are not acquainted with the country, or the Indian manner of fighting. That the peti- tioners are poor, and incapable of supporting this body of men, having already advanced greater sums than they could afford; and unless they are assisted by the government, shall be obliged to abandon their plantations to the savages, to the ruin of themselves, and great injury of their neighbors ; for which reasons they humbly pray the house would take the premises into consideration, and enable them to continue the aforesaid body of men, in such manner, and subject to such directions, as they shall judge most proper and advantageous. -Votes of Assembly, V, 264. Sept. 17, 1763.
In 1764, the Indians once more surprised the inhabitants of Cumberland (Franklin) county. The following extracts, the first from John McCullough's narrative, the second from Richard Bard's, give the history of a murder committed by the Indians within the limits of Franklin county :
" Some time in the summer, whilst we were living at Kia- ho-ling, a great number of Indians collected at the forks of Moos-hing-oong ; perhaps there were about three hundred or upwards ; their intention was to come to the settlement and make a general massacre of the whole people, without any
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regard to age or sex; they were out about ten days, when most of them returned ; having held a council, they concluded that it was not safe for them to leave their towns, destitute of defence. However several small parties went to different parts of the settlements : it happened that three of them, whom I I was well acquainted with, came to the neighborhood of where I was taken from-they were young fellows, perhaps none of them more than twenty years of age; they came to a school house, where they murdered and scalped the master and all the scholars, except one, who survived after he was scalped ; a boy about ten years old, a full cousin of mine. I saw the Indians when they returned home with the scalps ; some of the old Indians were very much displeased at them for killing so many children; especially Neep-paugh-whese, or night walker, an old chief, or halt king; he alluded it to cowardice, which was the greatest affront he could offer them."-Lou-don's Narratives, I, 334.
In August, 1764, (according to the best accounts of the time) my (Bard's) father and his family, from fear of the In- dians, having moved to my grandfather's, Thomas Poe's, about three miles from his own place, he took a black girl with him, to his own place, to make some hay; and being there at his work, a dog which he had with him, began to bark and run towards, and from a thicket of bushes. Ob- serving these circumstances, he became alarmed, and taking up his gun, told the girl to run to the house, for he believed there were Indians near. So they made towards the house, and had not been there more than one hour, when from the left of the house they saw a party, commanded by Captain Potter, late Gen. Potter, in pursuit of a party of Indians who had that morning (July 26, 1764,) murdered a schoolmaster of the name of Brown, with ten small children, and scalped and left for dead, one by the name of Archibald Mccullough, who recovered, and was living not long since. It was re- markable, that with but few exceptions, the scholars were much averse to going to school that morning. And the ac- count given by McCullough is, that when the master and scholars met at the school, two of the scholars informed him that on their way they had seen Indians ; but the information was not attended to by the master, who ordered them to their books; soon afterwards two old Indians and a boy rushed up to the door. The master seeing them, prayed them only to
13*
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take his life and spare the children; but unfeelingly, the two old Indians stood at the door, whilst the boy entered the house, and with a piece of wood, made in the form of an In- dian maul, killed the master and scholars; after which the whole of them were scalped .- Incidents of Border Life, p. 122.
In connection with the relation of the murder of Mr. Brown and his pupils, here is inserted a communication, to the Com- piler, from Andrew B. Rankin, Esq., which, it is believed, will be read with interest :
GREEN CASTLE, Jan'y 23, 1845.
" In compliance with your request, I cheerfully furnish you the following :
Exhumation of the bones of the murdered school, comprising ten scholars and teacher.
"On the 4th of August 1843, the following persons, viz : Dr. William Grubb, Dr. James R. Davidson, Dr. Chas. Michaels, Messrs. James Mitchell, George Sites, James Johnson, Jacob Mowrer, John Osbroch, George Shert, Christian Koser, James Burk, John Rowe, jr., William Osbroch, Col. David Dietrich, Adam Shireg, Thomas Atherton, and two youths, Mr. Irwin and Isaac Heichert, repaired to the farm of Christian Koser, about three miles north of Green Castle, in the town- ship of Antrim, where tradition said, the bodies of the murdered victims were buried, at the foot, and on the south side of a large hill, near a spring. Mr. Koser pointed out to them, a small plat of ground, un- marked by any thing, save the grass and briars that distinguished it from the land around it-The spot is in an open field, and the land around it, cultivated. Some of the party soon commenced removing the earth ; and after digging to the depth of four feet and a half, found some rotten wood, and several rusty nails of ancient construc- tion. After digging a little deeper, part of a small skeleton was found; the bones were much decayed-and when the scull was handled, it crumbled into dust. The teeth, however, seemed sound. Near by the side of the skeleton, there was discovered another, which from its size, was evidently that of a man, full grown-it was in a much better state of preservation, and from the relics found in close contact, which were a large metal button, some small ones, part of an iron box, which seemed to have been a tobacco box-it was manifest that it was the skeleton of the teacher. Several other smaller skeletons were discov- ered. The skeletons were found lying with feet and head in opposite directions.
" I remember, when a youth, forty-five years ago, to hear it stated, that the teacher and scholars were all buried in the same grave, being put into a large, rudely constructed box, with their clothing on, as they were found after being murdered. The relics found prove the truth of the tradition. The foul murder was perpetrated by the Indians, in August 1764, (July 26, I. D. R.) just 79 years before the exhumation took place. The name of the teacher was Brown, and three of the scholars were said to be named Taylor, Hart and Hale.
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" The relics above mentioned are now in the possession of those who were present, when they were found." Some of the citizens of Green Castle and vicinity, to render sacred, and perpetuate this spot, where lie the bones of the innocent victims of Indian ferocity, design in the course of the ensuing summer, to raise a mound upon it, and inscribe its history upon a stone, to be placed at the side.
" Some of the remains of the school house still exist and mark the place of its location. It was truly a solitary one, and would be con- sidered so at this day. It was situated on the brow of a hill. In the front of it, there is a ravine, deep and dismal-on the north and west, the surrounding hills are covered with a thick growth of underwood and pine. At the foot of the hill issues a clear spring, where rest in silence the bones and the dust of the murdered school."
Shortly after the above murder had been committed, the Indians were again seen at McDowell's, (Franklin county) pursuing two men; and soon afterwards, some savages mur- dered most barbarously, the daughter of James Dysart, 12 or 13 miles above Carlisle. Along the frontiers, except in the neighborhood of Bedford, all seemed quiet for some time; hence, those in the interior, not being on their guard, were unexpectedly surprised.
The following extracts from letters, dated at Carlisle, are here introduced :
AUGUST. 14, 1764.
We heard by a young man from Conegocheague, that Indians are seen in that settlement almost every day ; and that on Friday last, two men were pursued by four of them, near Justice McDowell's, and with great difficulty escaped.
August 17-A young woman daughter of James Dysart, going home from sermon at Big Spring, last Sunday, about ten or twelve miles from here, was met with, murdered and scalped, and left naked by the enemy. This has alarmed the settlement, who were chiefly gone from home to their places, and will, we are afraid, make many again fly, es- pecially as there are so many accounts of Indians being seen in small parties almost every day, in some part or other of the county.
From another letter of the same date :- " All appears quiet at pre- sent along the frontier, except about Bedford, where there are, accord- ing to intelligence from thence, some of the savages lying in wait for opportunity of doing mischief. They attempted very lately, to take a man that was fishing, but he got off. The people are returning over the hills to their places, which we are afraid, is yet too soon."-Penna. Gazette, August 30, 1764.
The following extract of a letter from Gen. Henry Bouquet, to Gov.
* The Compiler saw the relics, Jan'y 17, 1845, in the possession of Mr. G. W. Zeigler, at Green Castle.
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ernor Penn, dated at Fort Loudon, 22d August, 1764 -- in a postscript to which of August 25, he says, " A party of thirty or forty Indians have killed near Bedford, one Isaac Stimble, an industrious inhabitant of Ligonier -- taken some horses loaded with merchants' goods, and shot some cattle, after Colonel Ried's detachment had passed that post. Some more have been killed twelve miles from Winchester.
In the year 1777, says Burd and Mower, Esqs., a family named Tull resided about six miles west of Bedford, on a hill to which the name of the family was given ; there were ten children-nine daughters and a son ; but at the time referred to, the son was absent, leaving at home his aged parents and nine sisters. At that time the Indians were particularly trou- blesome, and the inhabitants had to abandon their improve- ments and take refuge to the fort; but Tull's family disre- garded the danger and remained on their improvements. One Williams, who had made a settlement about three miles west of Tull's, and near where the town of Shellsburg now stands, had returned to his farm to sow some flaxseed: he had a son with him, and remained out about a week. The road to his improvement passed Tull's house. On their return, as they approached Tull's, they saw a smoke ; and coming nearer, discovered that it arose from the burning ruins of Tull's house. Upon a nearer approach, the son saw an object in the garden, which by a slight movement had attracted his attention, and looking more closely, they found it was the old man just ex- piring. At the same moment, the son discovered on the ground near him an Indian paint bag. They at once under- stood the whole matter, and knowing that the Indians were still near, fled at once to the fort. Next day a force went out from the fort to examine, and after some search found the inother with an infant in her arms, both scalped. A short dis- tance, in the same direction, they found the eldest daughter also scalped. A short distance from her, the next daughter in the same situation, and scattered about at intervals the rest of the children but one, who, from some circumstances, they supposed had been burned. They all appeared to have been overtaken in flight, and murdered and scalped where they were found. It seems the family was surprised in the morn- ing, when all were in the house, and thus became an easy prey to the savages.
About December, 1777, a number of families came into the fort from the neighborhood of Johnstown. Amongst them
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were Samuel Adams. one Thornton and Bridges. After the alarm had somewhat subsided, they agreed to return to their property. A party started with pack horses, reached the place, and not seeing any Indians, collected their property and commenced their return. After proceeding some distance, a dog belonging to one of the party, showed signs of uneasi- ness, and ran back. Bridges and Thornton desired the others to wait whilst they would go back for him. They went back, and had proceeded but two or three hundred yards, when a body of Indians, who had been lying in wait on each side of the way, but who had been afraid to fire on account of the number of the whites, suddenly rose up and took them prisoners. The others, not knowing what detained their companions, went back after them; when they arrived near the spot, the Indians fired on them, but without doing any injury. The whites instantly turned and fled, excepting Sa- muel Adams, who took a tree and began to fight in the In- dian style. In a few minutes, however, he was killed, but not without doing the same fearful service for his adversary. He and one of the Indians shot at, and killed each other, at the same moment. When the news reached the fort, a party volunteered to visit the ground. When they reached it, al- though the snow had fallen ankle deep, they readily found the bodies of Adams and the Indian, the face of the latter having been covered by his companions with Adams' hunting shirt.
A singular circumstance also occurred about that time in the neighborhood of the Allegheny mountain. A man named Wells, had made a very considerable improvement, and was esteemed rather wealthy for that region. He, like others, had been forced with his family from his house, and had gone for protection to the fort. In the fall of the year he conclud- ed to return to his place and dig his crop of potatoes. For that purpose he took with him six or seven men, an Irish ser- vant girl to cook, and an old plough horse. After they had finished their job, they made preparations to return to the fort the next day. During the night, Wells dreamed that on his way to his family he had been attacked and gored by a bull ; and so strong an impression did the dream make, that he mentioned it to his companions, and told them that he was sure some danger awaited them. He slept again and dreamed that he was about to shoot a deer, and
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when cocking his gun, the main-spring broke. In his dream he thought he heard distinctly the crack of the spring when it broke. He again awoke and his fears were confirmed; and he immediately urged his friends to rise and get ready to start. Directly after he arose he went to his gun to examine it, and in cocking it the mainspring snapped off. This circumstance alarmed them, and they soon had breakfast and were ready to leave. To prevent delay, the girl was put on the horse and started off, and as soon as it was light enough, the rest followed. Before they had gone far, a young dog belonging to Wells, manifested much alarm, and ran back to the house. Wells called him, but after go- ing a hort distance, he invariably ran back.
Not wishing to leave him, as he was valuable, he went after him, but had gone only a short distance towards the house, when five Indians rose from behind a large tree that had fallen, and approached him with extended hands. The men who were with him, fled instantly; and he would have followed, but the Indians were so close that he thought it useless. As they approached him, however, he fancied the looks of a very powerful Indian, who was nearest him, boded no good; and being a swift runner, and thinking it "neck or nothing," at any rate determined to attempt an escape. As the Indian approached, he threw at him his useless rifle, and dashed off towards the woods, in the direction his com- panions had gone. Instead of firing, the Indians commenced a pursuit, for the purpose of making him a prisoner, but he outran them. After running some distance, and when they thought he would escape, they all stopped and fired at once, and every bullet struck him, but without doing him much in- jury or retarding his flight. Soon after this he saw where his companions concealed themselves ; and as he passed, he begged them to fire on the Indians and save him; but they were afraid, and kept quiet. He continued his flight, and af- ter a short time overtook the girl with the horse. She quickly understood his danger and dismounted instantly, urging him to take her place, while she would save herself by conceal- ment. He mounted, but without a whip, and for want of one could not get the old horse out of a trot. This delay brought the Indians upon him again directly, and as soon as they were near enough, they fired ; and this time with more effect. as one of the balls struck him in the hip and lodged in
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his groin. But this saved his life; it frightened the horse into a gallop, and he escaped, although he suffered severely for several months afterwards.
The Indians were afterwards pursued, and surprised at their morning meal; and when fired on, four of them were killed, but the other, though wounded, made his escape. Bridges, who was taken prisoner near Johnstown, when Ad- ams was murdered, saw him come to his people, and describes him as having been shot through the chest, with leaves stuffed in the bullet holes to stop the bleeding.
The Indians were most troublesome during their predatory incursions, which were frequent after the commencement of the revolution. They cut off a party of whites under com- mand of Captain Dorsey, at "The Harbor," a deep cove formed by Ray's hill, and a spur from it.
One John Lane was out at one time, and a spy and scout under the command of Captain Philips. He left the scout once for two days, on a visit home, and when he returned to the fort, the scout had been out some time. Fears were en- tertained for their safety. A party went in search; and with- in a mile or two of the fort, found Captain Philips and the whole of his men, fifteen in number, killed and scalped .-- When found they were all tied to saplings; and, to use the language of the narrator, who was an eye witness, "their bo- dies were completely riddled with arrows."
In 1780, the inhabitants were again surprised and a num- ber of them killed, as stated in the subjoined letter.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, August 7, 1780.
To his Excellency Joseph Reid, Esq.
Sir :- I received the orders of council for the volunteers to be put in motion, in order to join the main army and for those classes of the militia to be in readiness -- And was unfortunately long coming to my hand. I have sent agreeable to said orders to put the volunteers into motion that were raised on the north side of the mountain ; but unfor- tunately I have sent one company to the frontiers of Northumberland county, and the other to the frontiers of Bedford, which was in a very distressed situation, about three weeks ago, the Indians came on a scout, a Captain and twelve men in a place called Woodrock Valley, and not one of the party escaped ; they lay, I believe ten days without being buried ; I went with a party from this county and covered them the best way we could, which was a very disagreeable task.
I am apt to think it will be a very distressing and disagreeable cir- cumstance to the frontiers to have the volunteers taken from them .- My reason for sending them then as soon as they were ready, was to
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support and assist the inhabitants in saving their harvest. I am afraid the militia of this county will not turn out so well as I could wish ; but your excellency may depend upon it that every exertion in my power shall be used on the occasion, as I am fully convinced of the necessity of our utmost efforts this year in order to save the country. This county is now very scarce of ammunition, and I have not been able to find any trusty hand and wagon to send for, but expect one before long, when, I flatter myself, that council will supply us with a sufficient quantity of powder, lead and flints.
I doubt if the number required of the militia, turn out, we will not be able to arm them in this county, as we have already furnished the volunteers out of what state arms were here, but we have got a few muskets, but they all want bayonets. I am happy to inform you we have this year had a very plentiful harvest in this county, and appear- ances of fine corn and plenty of fruit, and also a good disposition in a number of the people to receive and give credit to the state money (if they could get it) but very little of it has come to this part of the coun- ty yet. But if ready money of any kind could be had there could be plenty of supplies purchased. There may difficulty arise about pro- curing wagons, as I believe there is no wagon-master that acts for this county.
I have the honor to be your Excellency's most obedient and humble servant,
ABM. SMITH.
CHAPTER XI.
INDIANS MASSACRED AT CARLISLE-(1760).
Preliminary remarks --- Doctor John, a Delaware Indian and family mur- dered, near Carlisle --- Assembly makes inquiries into the case --- West's letter touching the same --- Tittel's and Davis's depositions --- Lough- ry's deposition --- Allusion to the murder in a conference held with the Indians in 1762.
The principal murders committed by the Indians upon the whites, within the limits of Cumberland and Lancaster coun- ties, at their early 'organization (but now comprising also what is embraced by the several counties, of which a history is attempted) have been noticed from 1727 to the close of the Revolutionary war. As the whites, in their turn, did also commit, as they were unhesitatingly pronounced, " murders. upon the Indians," within the geographical bounds of Cum- berland and Lancaster, at the time alluded to, it is deemed as not inappropriate to notice these also, in this connection. As compiler, the writer does not wish to advance any thing in extenuation of the misdeeds of the whites. He would, how- ever: passing, remark : that in war-in the midst of the cal- amities of a protracted war-it seems the ordinary sympathies of our nature, often forsook the inured warrior. There may be some exceptions (?). In the savage, war whets the de- structive propensities, and his thirst for " blood and carnage" increases in ardency, as the number of his victims swells. To- tal extirpation only constitute the bounds of his sphere of slaughter ; hence so many indiscriminate murders both of the innocent and offensive. Persons, civilized, savage, or demi- savage, who once shuddered at the hearing, or seeing the murder of a single individual, can, when inured to the mise- ries of war, listen to the report of countless numbers slain, as an amusing tale ; and be prepared to resent to the utmost, at his life's hazard, every real or imaginary wrong-avenge himself in the destruction of those whom he believes to be aggressor, or mere abettors. Striking exemplifications are recorded in the annals of every country : the cruelties " re-
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