Four Weeks in a Block House No. 49

Printer-friendly version

Ironton Register, Thursday, June 18, 1896
OLD TIMES
FOUR WEEKS IN A BLOCK HOUSE
(by John G. Wilson)
No. 49

Submitted by Sharon M. Kouns

For the Register.
In my letter of last week, the beleaguered whites had concluded to let two of their number out at the gate, of a dark stormy night, and they were instructed to get past the Indian pickets, not to fire their guns until every other means had been tried, but trust to their knives and tomahawks, which they carried as the Indians did.
The siege went on day after day; the Indians receiving reinforcements which the whites could tell by their cries and they doubled their pickets, which made them more careless, thinking that their overwhelming numbers would deter the whites from trying to make any attempt to send out scouts. The whites judged that there were about 200 Indians around the block house and their hearts sank within them but only for a moment. One evening on the third week, of the siege, a dark cloud was seen gathering in the west, and the mutterings of distant thunder indicated an approaching storm. The two men who were chosen were as different as men could possibly be. One who we will call Graham was a perfect giant in stature and strength. He stood 6 feet in his moccasins, straight as an arrow, and was very fast on foot. The Indians called him Bounding Elk. He had brown hair and blue eyes; he was about 30 years old and unmarried.
The other man, named Rawlings, was about 60 of French Canadian stock. He was of a dark saturnine color, which with suntan and smoke made him almost as dark as a negro. He was rather undersized but compactly built and was as wiry as a panther. His whole life had been spent on the border, and most of the time in battle with the Indians. He had lost his father and mother in an Indian raid, and was captured by them when a boy, and was captive for six years when he escaped and swore eternal vengeance against the red man. The Indians called him Eagle Eye on account of his remarkable skill with the rifle. He and Graham were inseparable and hunted, trapped and fought Indians together for years.
Such were the two on which the hopes of the inmates of the block houses rested; and they were well chosen, for to the courage of the lion was added the cunning of the fox; tireless, used to face the elements in every form, they and only they could make their way through the hostile lines.
But now the storm is on with all its fury, the wind howling and the rain pouring down in sheets, with many a whispered admonition to proceed to the nearest military garrison and secure aid for them, the gate was silently opened and the two men disappeared in the darkness. The gate was shut and securely fastened; then they waited with anxious hearts fearful that those who had just gone out would become prey to the wily savage. But no sound was heard but the fierce rush of the storm. So, with silent prayer for the safety of their friends they wrapped themselves in their blankets to sleep, leaving only the watch on guard.
When the morning came, an unusual bustle among the Indians showed that something had taken place, which they were very much enraged at. They became bold especially, those who had lately come, and approaching too near and exposing themselves, were shot down by the ever watchful guards. Their yells of rage filled the woods and they shot volley after volley at the block house. Their chiefs could be seen in council and runners were sent off in different directions whether for reinforcements or in chase of the two scouts, those within the block house could not tell; but it was evident that something unusual had happened by the stir. Towards noon, an Indian was seen approaching the block house with a white rag, obtained from some of the cabins, before they were given to the flames. He was unarmed and his object was to have a talk. The guards were told to cover him with their rifles and shoot the moment treachery was discovered. The gate was opened and one of the oldest settlers was let out to hear what he had to say. The Indian came slowly forward until he was about 100 feet from the block house, when he stopped and beckoned for the white man to approach which he did, keeping watchful eye on the woods behind the savage. When he came in speaking distance, the Indian said "how do?" He could speak a little broken English, and for that reason was chosen to act as ambassador. The white man nodded; then the Indian wanted to know if they would not surrender, promising to let them all go free, if the block house was surrendered. This was the import of his broken language, which was peremptorily refused, and the man turned to go towards the block house, when he was fired upon by Indians who had crawled up to some stumps, during the night before, and lay concealed until the parley, was over. But in their eagerness to kill the old settler, they forgot about their envoy and left him to his fate. The settler was slightly wounded but succeeded in reaching the door which was opened quickly for him. The Indian was killed instantly. He had hardly moved around before death came. A half dozen of the watchers had fired upon him and he was riddled with their bullets. The Indians raised a great yell then all was still. G.
Continued next week.