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1840 INDIAN KEY DESTROYED
(Source: The miners' journal, and Pottsville general advertiser., Pottsville,
Pa: )
Transcribed by
Donald Buncie
Dreadful news from Florida - Indian Key destroyed and the inhabitants butchered
by the Savages! Extract of a letter, dated Key West, August, 1840
DEAR Sirs - We were alarmed on the morning of 8th inst., by the arrival here of
a great part of the inhabitants of Key Vacas. They had left their homes in
consequence of the arrival of a small boat, with some negroes from Indian Key,
on the morning of the 7th, who reported that a number of Indians had landed on
Indian Key, immedietely after the moon had gone down; they think from 100 to 150
in number that morning, and had murdered all of its inhabitants, and burnt their
houses. A party from here immediately went on board of the wrecking sloop
Vevilla, and started. They had not proceeded many miles, when they encountered
the wrecking schr. Gen. Washington, direct from Indian Key, whose captain
informed them, that it was unnecessary for them to proceed further, as all of
the houses, except one, owned and occupied by Mr. Charles Howe, Inspector of
Customs, were destroyed, and that the Indians had left the Island about 10
o'clock, A.M., of the 7th, taking away all that they wanted in the boats
belonging to the Key.
Dr. Perrine, wife and three children, remained in their house for a short time,
when the Doctor went to the cupola and spoke to the Indians in Spanish - but it
is supposed they then shot him, for he was not again seen. His lady, with her
two daughters and son, retreated to the Turtle Crawl, near the house, watched
their opportunity, and while the Indians were plundering, started in a boat for
an old hulk, lying about two hundred yards from the Key, where they remained
until daylight, when they were taken by a boat from Tea Table Key.
Mr. John Motte, master of wrecking sloop Key West, with his wife, two children,
and his mother, retired for the purpose of secreting themselves; but they were
soon found, Motte and wife, shot - they then dashed out the brains of the two
infants against the rocks, and left them with the corpses of the parents. As the
house of Dr. P. was burnt, his body must have been consumed in it. A lad about
12 years old, brother of Mrs. E. Smith, hid himself but was burnt.
(Source: The miners' journal, and Pottsville general advertiser., Pottsville,
Pa: August 29, 1840)