Miss Land's Midnight Journey
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Her feelings served to quicken her pace. Once at the door of the Kane cabin she endeavored to attract the attention of those within. She rapped on the door; then went to Mrs. Kane's bedroom window, but could get no response. She next tried to open the door; it yielded, and with palpitating heart she entered the house. She called the members of the family by name, but received no answer. All was still as the house of death.
Presently she stumbled over some object upon the floor. Stooping down she found it to be the prostrate body of a woman, and was horrified to find her apparel wet with blood.
Miss Land fled from the house; she was too much frightened to shriek. She quickly aroused the family of Nicholas Conklin, the nearest neighbor of the Kane's and told them what she had discovered. It was deemed prudent not to venture abroad before morning.
Nicholas Conklin, the nearest neighbor of the Kane's and told them what she had discovered. It was deemed prudent not to venture abroad before morning. At the break of day Mr. Conklin and some neighbors went to the Kane cabin, where they found that the entire family, including Mr. Flowers, had been murdered and scalped. Mrs. Kane had evidently been scalped while alive, for she had died while attempting to dress herself, and a portion of her dress was drawn over her mutilated head.
After gazing at the horrid scene, the party accompanied Miss Land home. Her mother and brother John were still absent; while her little brother Abel had been taken from the house by Indians during the night. Not long after this Mrs. Land and John returned, and were informed of what had taken place. They thought it very strange that their family should be made a target for both parties. John resolved on an attempt to recover his missing brother; so, hastily collecting a few of his neighbors, among them some friendly Indians living in the vicinity, he set out upon the trail of the marauders, which led toward the Mohawk country.
John were still absent; while her little brother Abel had been taken from the house by Indians during the night. Not long after this Mrs. Land and John returned, and were informed of what had taken place. They thought it very strange that their family should be made a target for both parties. John resolved on an attempt to recover his missing brother; so, hastily collecting a few of his neighbors, among them some friendly Indians living in the vicinity, he set out upon the trail of the marauders, which led toward the Mohawk country. After a brief but rapid march they overtook the retreating party, and found them posted for battle. John was not disposed to fight, he only wanted a parley with a view to releasing his brother. An explanation took place, the result of which was that Abel was restored to his friends after first being compelled to run the gauntlet. In executing this feat his speed astonished everybody present. He received only a few blows, and such was the admiration of the Indians for the spirit and dexterity he exhibited, that he was suffered to pass through unharmed. The two parties then separated; John and his companions to their homes, and the Indians, who proved to be a wandering party of Mohawks, to their own country.
Three years subsequent to the murder of Bryant Kane's family at the Falls of Cochecton, Col. Bryant, with a party of Tories and Indians, made a descent on Harpersfield, in Delaware county. They captured several of the patriots of the settlement, including Mr. Freegift Patchin, whom they took to Niagara. Some time after the Revolutionary war, Patchin published a narrative of his captivity, in which he says one of his captors was Barney Kane, a Tory. This is thought to be the Bryant Kane whose family was murdered on the banks of the Delaware.
Bryant Kane whose family was murdered on the banks of the Delaware.Table of Contents