Igg AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



tomahawk. Tom cried, ' mark him,' and he fell by more than one ball ; 



ran up and cried out, ' it is the villain who murdered my mother.' 



This speech roused to vengeance and Conestogo lay harmless before us. 

 Our worst fears had been realized ; these Indians, who had been housed 

 and fed as the pets of the Province, were now proved to be our secret 

 Ibes; necessity compelled us to do as we did. 



"We mounted our horses and returned. Soon we were informed that 



a number of Indians were at the Work House at Lancaster. was 



sent to Lancaster to get all the news he could. He reported that one of 

 the Indians concerned in recent murders was there in safety. Also, that 

 they talked of rebuilding Conestogo, and placing these Indians in the 

 new buildings. 



"A few of us met to deliberate; Stewart proposed to go to Lancaster, 

 storm their castle^ and carry off the assassin. It was agreed to ; the whole 

 plan was arranged. Our clergyman did not approve of our proceeding 

 further. He thought everything was accomplished by the destruction of 

 Conestogo, and advised us to try what we could do with the Governor and 

 Council. I with the rest was opposed to the measure proposed by our 

 good pastor. It was painful to us to act in opposition to his will, but 

 the Indian in Lancaster was known to have murdered the parents of 

 , one of our party. 



"The plan was made. Three were chosen to break in the doors, five to 

 keep the keepers, etc., from meddling, Capt. Stewart to remain outside 

 with about twelve men, to protect those within, to prevent surprise, and 

 keep charge of the horses. The three were to secure the Indian, tie him 

 with strong cords and deliver him to Stewart. If the three were resisted, 

 a shot was to be fired as a signal. I was one of them who entered ; you 

 know the rest ; we fired ; the Indians were left without life, and we rode 

 hastily from Lancaster. Two of the Indians killed in Lancaster were 

 recognized as murderers. 



"This gave quiet to the frontiers, for no murder of our defenceless 

 inhabitants has since happened." 



The foregoing account was communicated by a father to his son, in 

 Carlisle, and by the latter to Eedmond Conyngham. 



The Eev. Mr. Elder mentioned in the preceding statement was a Pres- 

 byterian minister and held the commission of a Colonel. In a letter on 

 this subject addressed by him to Governor Penn, dated January 27, 1764, 

 occurs this passage: 



" The storm which has been so long gathering, has at length exploded. 

 Had government removed the Indians from Conestogo, which had 

 been frequently urged without success, this painful catastrophe might 

 have been avoided. AVhat could I do with men heated to madness? 

 All that I could do, was done; I expostulated; but life and reason were 



