The North-Carolina Standard. April 18, 1838
From the Savannah Georgian of April 11.
We yesterday received by the steamer J. Stone, Capt. Mendal, the Darien Telegraph of yesterday, in advance of the mail. From it we extract the following:
“MORE INDIAN MURDERS NEAR TALLAHASSEE.—A gentleman just arrived from Tallahassee, informs us that on the night of the 1st inst., a family of the name of Purify were murdered within 20 miles of Tallahassee. The Indians burned the dwelling and two white children in it; two negro women were also killed; and Mrs. Purify received two shots through her body and was stabbed by the Indians. She crawled, however, into a thicket where she concealed herself. Dr. Taylor, of Monticello, stated to our informant, that she could not possibly survive.”
Edgefield Advertiser. April 19, 1838 | The Florida Watchman. April 21, 1838
From the Charleston Mercury.
MORE INDIAN MURDERS.
A gentleman, just arrived from Tallahassee, says the Darien Telegraph, of the 6th inst. informs us that on the night of the 1st inst. a family of the name of Purifoy, were murdered within 20 miles of Tallahassee. The Indians burned the dwelling and two white children in it; two negro women were also killed; and Mrs. Purifoy received two shots through her body and was stabbed by the Indians. She crawled, however, into a thicket, where she concealed herself. Dr. Taylor, of Monticello, stated to our informant, that she could not possibly survive.
The Jacksonville Courier of the 5th inst. says:—By a letter to our excellent Mayor, Col. Dell, from his brother in Alachua county, dated April 1, [and] from the bearer of the letter, Mr. Brooks, our worst apprehensions of farther—indeed of continued Indian murders, are confirmed. “They killed two Irishmen, on the place that Brush cleared on the Micanopy pond.” Signs near Camp Fanning are spoken of. “God only knows what we are to do; but still hope Jesup will be able to relieve us.” Hope deferred; and still farther to be deferred as may be seen by the General's own showing.
Mr. Brooks gives the further information that two volunteers were fired upon at Suwannee, Old Town—and severely wounded; that Indians have been seen at the Echetokamy[/Echetokany] Springs, and signs about Fort White, and near Newnansville.
——
FURTHER PARTICULARS.—On Saturday evening last, about dark, a party of Indians, supposed to number 30 or 40, residing in the vicinity of the previous depredations, murdered two children and three negroes, plundered and set fire to the buildings, and made their escape—the children were burned in the dwelling. Mrs. Purifoy, although severely wounded, miraculously made her escape from the savages. When the attack was made there were none but females about the premises, a fact supposed to have been known to the Indians. Mrs. P. was lying in bed with her two children, heard a noise in her room and on looking up found it filled with Indians, who commenced discharging their rifles, several of them aimed at herself and children. The children it is supposed were killed at once. Mrs. P. received a ball in her shoulder, which passed out at her breast. The savages next commenced hacking and stabbing her with their knives, and inflicted a number of severe wounds on her head and several parts of her body. Their attention was a moment directed from her to a noise made by the servants in an adjoining room, when Mrs. P. taking advantage of this circumstance escaped to the yard, where she was again shot down, but succeeded in gaining the woods, intending to reach her father's residence, Capt. Daniel Bird, about two miles distant. Faint from the loss of blood and the severity of her wounds, she was unable to proceed more than half a mile, where she was found next morning. Mrs. P. received, we understand, ten distinct wounds, several very severe, but her physician entertains strong hopes of her recovery. To heighten the catastrophe, Mr. Purifoy, whose children and slaves were slain, was absent from home, fulfilling his ministerial duties.
As soon as the attack was discovered, the troops at Camp Carter, under Capt. Shehee, were sent for, but the Indians has dispersed in three parties and fled. Maj. Taylor with Capt. Newsam's company joined Capt. S. on Monday morning, and have followed the several trails, but with what success we have not understood.
The house attacked is several miles within the frontier settlements—the houses of most of which are picketed in. We trust the occurrence will awaken the United States authorities to do something more for the protection of our frontier.—Tallahassee Floridian.
Edgefield Advertiser. April 19, 1838
The news which we give this week from Florida is of the most painful interest. The murder which we have recorded, is associated in our minds with all that is dark, and cruel and terrible in savage warfare. Mrs. Purifoy was born in this District, and removed but a few years ago, from this Village, with her highly esteemed father, to Florida. We knew her well; and we speak but the language of her numerous acquaintance when we say, that she displayed in her life a lamb-like meekness, a purity and excellence of character, which are seldom seen. Who would have thought, said a respected Lady to us on hearing the melancholy occurrence, that the mild and innocent, the amiable and youthful Louisa was doomed to fall beneath the deadly rifle and butcher-knife of the savage!
The people of this section have not been indifferent to suffering Florida, but this fresh instance of Indian barbarity has awakened anew their warmest sympathies. How long are these scenes to continue! When will cease to flow the blood of innocent women and children?
When we penned the above, we had heard from another source than the newspaper account, that Mrs. Purifoy was dead. By later intelligence we learn now that strong hopes are entertained of her recovery.
A Guide to the Correspondence of the Breckinridge, Gamble and Watts Families
Other topics in the letters from Mary Watts Gamble include ...
... an attack by the Seminoles upon the home, family, and slaves of Mrs. Purifoy, wife of a Methodist minister and daughter of Captain Byrd, and her severe wounds and loss of her children just four miles away from Welaunee (April 13, 1838); ...
Vermont Telegraph. April 4, 1838
THE FLORIDA WAR.—There are now ten thousand troops employed in the relentless crusade against a remnant band of miserable Seminole Indians! So far, disaster and dishonor are the only fruits of this most iniquitous war. It has cost millions of dollars and thousands of lives. It has, also, fixed a stain upon our national character which nothing can efface. And what has been accomplished? A few Indians have voluntarily surrendered. Others, who came in under the protection of a white flag, were treacherously captured! But the great object for which the war was waged is as far from being accomplished as it was when it commenced. The Indians have retreated into their swamps and everglades, pursued by General Jesup with an army ten thousand strong!
It is, we believe, more than a year since the Indians have committed any act of aggression or hostility. Though hunted like wild beasts, they abstain from acts of violence. The white men encroach & plunder—the Indians retire and submit. The Indians are, and have been, ready to lay down their arms. Their voices are uniformly for peace. They ask for nothing but to live and die upon their own soil. This is denied. The government will not allow them to enjoy their own! They are required to leave their native fields and their broad hunting grounds; to abandon their homes and emigrate to lands unknown. These are the hard conditions upon which CHRISTIANS will make peace with SAVAGES!
