Indian Attacks
Boonslick Sketches
Indian Attacks During the War of 1812
Following the declaration of war with England in 1812, the western frontier became the scene of British inspired Indian attacks. The Boon's Lick country, for beyond the line of protecting settlements, was the scene of particular violence. Forts were erected at various points for the protection of the settlers and a militia was organized, but the savages seldom attacked in large bodies. Many settlers lost their lives and their scalps to a single warrior, or a small war party, who struck swiftly and silently when the settler's vigilance had been relaxed.
While further investigation is necessary before a complete history of the period can be written, we are able to gain a clear impression of the dangers of those years from the files of the St. Louis Missouri Gazette. On May 7, 1914 we read:
"Indian Massacre"
"On the 26th ult. Messrs. Jonathan Todd and Thomas Smith, inhabitants of Boon's Licks settlement, were shot, scalped and stabbed in several parts of their body, their heads cut off, opened-and emptied of the brains, a leg and thigh was cut off of each and hung against a tree.
"Todd and Smith were in pursuit of their horses & had not more than two miles from the settlement when they were attacked; they entertained no fears and had taken with them only one gun."
"From subsequent indications it is thought these Indians were spies from Rock river, and as it appears that they have declined an attack on Fort Clark, they have spread reconnoitering parties along the frontier."
During the summer the attacks increased in violence. On August 13 the Gazette reports that "A few days ago, a barge belonging to Messrs. M. Lisa and Co. which was ascending the Missouri to their trading establishment, ware induced to stop at Mackey's Saline, (commonly called Boon's Lick) as the country was overrun by the Indians and all the inhabitants in Forts. The crew which arrived here on Saturday night, last, in three days passage, reports that on the south side of the Missouri, the Indians had taken all the horses and were killing the cattle for food; that on their arrival at the Saline, the people at Coles' fort were interring a man just shot by the Indians. On the north side near Kincaid's fort, a man was killed in a flax field. On Monday last, the 25th ult., 70 of the inhabitants assembled and set out as a patrole to observe the motions of the savages. After taking a considerable circuit they were about to return to their several forts when they observed a body of Indians which instantly attacked, were killed on the spot and one of our people was severely wounded....."
In October "The inhabitants of Makay's Saline" were reported as being in great consternation by the appearance of large bodies of Indians in their neighborhood, a Mr. Braxton Cooper was killed there a few days ago."
Peace was slow to come to the frontier, even after the cessation of hostilities with the British. As late as August 5, 1915 the Gazette says "A letter dated fort Cooper (Boon's Lick) July 14th received by General Clark, informs us that the Indians are more troublesome now than during the war with the British." But the strength of the Indians, now denied British arms and encouragement, was on the wane and by the following year the "Indian anger"was ended. Boon's Lick was at last open for settlement and development.
Uplinked 03/22/01