MASSACRE AT CHICAGO[Z]
[Z] This Narrative is substantially the same as that published in pamphlet form, in 1836. It was transferred with little variation to Brown’s “History of Illinois,” and to a work called “Western Annals.” It was likewise made, by Major Richardson, the basis of his two tales, “Hardscrabble,” and “Wau-nan-gee.”
It was the evening of the 7th April, 1812. The children of Mr. Kinzie were dancing before the fire to the music of their father’s violin. The tea-table was spread, and they were awaiting the return of their mother, who had gone to visit a sick neighbor about a quarter of a mile up the river.
Suddenly their sports were interrupted. The door was thrown open, and Mrs. Kinzie rushed in, pale with terror and scarcely able to articulate, “The Indians! the Indians!”
“The Indians? What? Where?” eagerly demanded they all.
“Up at Lee’s place, killing and scalping!”
With difficulty Mrs. Kinzie composed herself sufficiently to give the information, “That while she was up at Burns', a man and a boy were seen running down with all speed on the opposite side of the river; that they had called across to give notice to Burns' family to save themselves, for the Indians were at Lee’s Place, from which they had just made their escape.” Having given this terrifying news, they had made all speed for the fort, which was on the same side of the river that they then were.
All was now consternation and dismay. The family were hurried into two old pirogues, that were moored near the house, and paddled with all possible haste across the river to take refuge in the fort.
All that the man and boy who had made their escape were able to tell, was soon known; but in order to render their story more intelligible, it is necessary to describe the scene of action.
Lee’s Place, since known by the name of Hardscrabble, was a farm intersected by the Chicago River, about four miles from its mouth. The farm-house stood on the western bank of the south branch of this river. On the same side of the main stream, but quite near its junction with Lake Michigan, stood (as has already been described) the dwelling-house and trading establishment of Mr. Kinzie.