Histories: Trempealeau Co. Historical Accounts:
"History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917":
Chapter 23: More Historical Papers
Early Adventures
-As transcribed from pages 900 - 901
At the time of the Indian
Massacre of 1862, the settlers were greatly frightened, and many
left. George Hale, who was working for the Markhams at
Independence, went to Fountain City with a team, and obtained a keg of
powder and lead. The settlers were determined to hold their
ground against all comers. The Watson family from the town of
Hale fled to the Markham house for mutual protection. But the
Indiands did not come. Some time previous to the Massacre the
Indians borrowed a rifle from Giles Cripps, promising to return it a
little later. Cripps made sure he had lost his gun and was
greatly surprised some weeks later when the Indian returned the rifle
in good condition. Crippse felt sure that the gun had been in use
at Mankato in the Indian uprising.
In early days, great difficulty was often encountered in obtaining a
physician. During the second winter or early fall that the
Markhams were here, Mr. Lyne, the tutor, was taken dangerously
ill. George H. Markham started on foot for Black River Falls,
fording the Trempealeau River and other streams. He took supper
at Jim Finn's place east of Blair, and found Dr. Hutchinson, of Black
River Falls, who gave him some medicine and promised to follow
later. Mr. Markham then ate some food, and set out immediately,
reaching home within 24 hours of the time he started, after having
covered a distance of over 70 miles.