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Indian Creek Massacre and Captivity of Hall Girls
Reprint of the 1832 ed. published under title: Narrative of the capture and providential escape of Misses Frances and Almira Hall.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
24 pages, Unknown Binding
Published December 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 29, 2020
Being as this story happened practically in my backyard nearly 200 years ago, I wanted to read this little book. This was actually a reprint, or should I say photocopied page by page edition of a book from 1915. The author did interview some folks who remembered the event from their youth.
What happened is that the Indians signed a treaty, which is included, with the settlers over some land. The treaty, which even to me looks like it is full of loopholes, much like that my old union agreed to with our company, was signed by young drunken braves. One thing led to another until one idiot put a dam across a creek where the Indians used to fish. That was the last straw, and instead of battling it out in court, the Indians did the only logical thing, and that was to go on the warpath. After all, the Indians needed to eat.
Going on the warpath meant killing the settlers, all of them. This included bashing in the head of an infant on a tree stump. Two teenage girls, who were a prize possession much like a good pony, were taken away. Two young boys escaped the massacre and made their way to a fort in Ottawa, Illinois. There they raised the alarm and the story continued.
It was an interesting read and, although no maps were included, I knew the areas they were talking about. It is hard to imagine such a wild and natural setting this was 200 years ago. I have visited some places and graves. The fort in Ottawa is long gone but at least the Fox River is still there!
Before closing I would like to mention one Indian in particular. His name was pronounced and spelled various ways, but I will stick with Shabona. This fine man was a real friend to the settlers and helped them over and over again. In recognition for his deeds he was given land by the government. This land was eventually stolen by other settlers. Some old friends did give him some land and a nice cabin, which he used for storage as he lived all his life in a tent!
What happened is that the Indians signed a treaty, which is included, with the settlers over some land. The treaty, which even to me looks like it is full of loopholes, much like that my old union agreed to with our company, was signed by young drunken braves. One thing led to another until one idiot put a dam across a creek where the Indians used to fish. That was the last straw, and instead of battling it out in court, the Indians did the only logical thing, and that was to go on the warpath. After all, the Indians needed to eat.
Going on the warpath meant killing the settlers, all of them. This included bashing in the head of an infant on a tree stump. Two teenage girls, who were a prize possession much like a good pony, were taken away. Two young boys escaped the massacre and made their way to a fort in Ottawa, Illinois. There they raised the alarm and the story continued.
It was an interesting read and, although no maps were included, I knew the areas they were talking about. It is hard to imagine such a wild and natural setting this was 200 years ago. I have visited some places and graves. The fort in Ottawa is long gone but at least the Fox River is still there!
Before closing I would like to mention one Indian in particular. His name was pronounced and spelled various ways, but I will stick with Shabona. This fine man was a real friend to the settlers and helped them over and over again. In recognition for his deeds he was given land by the government. This land was eventually stolen by other settlers. Some old friends did give him some land and a nice cabin, which he used for storage as he lived all his life in a tent!
August 30, 2025
“Indian Creek Massacre and Captivity of Hall Girls” was written in 1915 by Charles Martin Scanlan. Sylvia and Rachel Hall were abducted after a dispute about a dam that blocked fish from reaching Native American villages in 1832.
Scanian dutifully researched historical society documents, and newspapers. He interviewed relatives of the women, news editors, and examined any available evidence. The women were held captive for 10 days. It’s an interesting account of negotiations between the Native Americans and the US Army.
Rebecca Cook, Sylvia’s great-great-great-granddaughter narrates the audio of Scanlan’s account. It’s an interesting 2 hour audio, but it’s not memorable.
Scanian dutifully researched historical society documents, and newspapers. He interviewed relatives of the women, news editors, and examined any available evidence. The women were held captive for 10 days. It’s an interesting account of negotiations between the Native Americans and the US Army.
Rebecca Cook, Sylvia’s great-great-great-granddaughter narrates the audio of Scanlan’s account. It’s an interesting 2 hour audio, but it’s not memorable.
September 7, 2022
Found this e-book on Barnes & Noble instead:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/indi...
(The Amazon link went to a blank page with a picture of a dog.)
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/indi...
(The Amazon link went to a blank page with a picture of a dog.)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews