Daily stories of Pennsylvania : $b prepared for publication in the leading daily newspapers of the state...Godcharles, Frederic Antes
History
Daily stories of Pennsylvania : $b prepared for publication in the leading daily newspapers of the state...
Godcharles, Frederic Antes
Pennsylvania -- Biography; Pennsylvania -- History
The Indian had been killed by being struck on the forehead with some
blunt instrument, which crushed in his skull. His entire scalp,
including his ears, was torn from his head. An inquest was held February
28, 1768, at the spot where his body was found.
John Blair Linn, in his “Annals of Buffalo Valley,” places the scene of
this crime on the run that enters the creek at Middleburgh, known by the
name of Stump’s Run to this day.
This crime caused the greatest consternation throughout the Province, as
the authorities had just cause to fear a repetition of the Indian
outrages unless Stump was apprehended and punished for his crime.
A few Indians who escaped the wrath of Stump chased him toward Fort
Augusta. Stump did not enter the fort, but rushed into a house occupied
by two women. He claimed their protection, alleging he was pursued by
Indians. They did not believe him, and feared the Indians, if his story
be true, but he begged piteously they hide him between two beds.
The Indians were but a moment behind Stump, but the women insisted they
knew nothing of him. Before the Indians left the house they seized a
cat, plucked out its hair and tore it to pieces, illustrating the
reception which awaited Stump, had they found him.
Captain William Patterson led a score of his neighbors to assist in
arresting Stump and Ironcutter.
On their approach Stump fled to the woods, but Patterson pretended that
he wanted Stump to accompany him to Great Island to kill Indians. This
appealed to Stump, who returned to the house, when Patterson arrested
and bound him and took him and his servant to Carlisle, where they were
lodged in jail, Saturday evening, March 23, 1768.
But justice was to be cheated. The magistrates fought over the place of
Stump’s trial, and it was decided to try him in Philadelphia.
On Monday morning following his arrest, the Sheriff proceeded to do his
duty, but was restrained by the magistrates. On Wednesday, forty of the
country people assembled on the outskirts of Carlisle, and sent two
messengers to the jail. When they learned Stump was not to be sent to
Philadelphia for trial, they dispersed.
On Friday a company from Sherman’s Valley, where Stump had lived,
marched toward Carlisle, about eight entering the town. Two of them went
to the jail and asked the jailor for liquor. As he was serving them the
others entered with drawn cutlasses and pistols and demanded he make no
outcry. Sixty others now surrounded the jail. Stump was taken from the
dungeon, the handcuffs removed and he was released.
The Sheriff, Colonel John Armstrong and others attempted to restrain the
mob, but in the struggle which ensued Stump escaped, as did his servant,
Ironcutter.
The Governor was angered at this escape and issued instructions for his
rearrest and then a formal proclamation offering a reward of £200 for
Stump and £100 for Ironcutter.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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