The cabin of Clark stood near the west boundary line of what is Mound City, that of Mrs. Phillips a short distance above, on the next elevation. Shaver stopped at Clark’s and fastened his horse near the back door. When he saw the Indians, he expressed apprehension to Clark, but he told him he was acquainted with them, had traded with them, and did not suppose they had any bad intentions. Yet when Clark on one occasion went out to the smoke house Shaver saw by the pallor of his face that he was much alarmed. It was his opinion that Clark had seen or overheard through the openings of the house enough to satisfy him of the hostile intentions of the savages, but feared to speak of it lest Shaver should mount his horse and leave him to his fate. The Indians asked for something to eat. Mrs. Clark told them if they would grind some corn on the hand mill she would prepare them a meal. They did so and partook of the hospitality of a family they fully intended to butcher before night.
The Indians were armed with guns and tomahawks; one of them came to Shaver and felt the muscles of his thighs, his knees, etc., as though he wished to judge his ability to run.
“Do you wish to run a race?” said Shaver.
”No.”
”Do you wish to wrestle?”
”No.”
The situation of the white settlers were becoming more alarming. They hoped, after the Indians had eaten, they would take their departure, but they sauntered around as if unwilling to do so. It was Shaver’s intention to carry home some whiskey, but Clark was afraid to draw it while the Indians were there. At length, five of the Indians went up to Mrs. Phillips’; the other five remained at Clark’s. Two of the latter took their station with apparent carelessness in the front door (next to the river), and two more stood near the fireplace, where sat Mr. and Mrs. Clark and Shaver. The latter happening to look at the Indians in the front door, saw one of them make a signal in the direction of Mrs. Phillips’, which was in sight, by striking his hands together vertically several times.
Directly he heard screams and shouts in that direction, and the next instant received a stunning blow on his head from the hatchet of the Indian who stood near him. He fell forward, but being a powerful man, he dashed between the two Indians at the back door and ran for his horse, which, as said, was fastened near the back door. He soon saw, however, his retreat in that direction would be cut off, so he ran down to the river bank, with two of the Indians in full pursuit.
They doubtless supposed, as Shaver was already wounded, he would fall an easy prey; but he was fleet of foot, and then he was running for his life. Blinded by the blood which poured down his face, and which he occasionally dashed away with his hand, he made for the bayou below the present Marine Ways. A hatchet just missed his head and fell many yards in front of him. His first impulse was to pick it up and defend himself, but a moment’s reflection convinced him the chances were too much against him. It was a half a mile or so to the bayou; Shaver gained it in advance of the Indians. It was quite full and partially frozen over. He plunged in and gained the opposite shore. The Indians paused on the bank, afraid to follow. They told him he was brave, and endeavored to induce him to return. Tradition says he addressed some very strong language to the Indians and made his way to the Union County settlements. His escape, considering the circumstances, was wonderful.
The Indians murdered Clark and his wife, Mrs. Phillips, her son and daughter and Kenaday. The[y] ripped up the flower beds, destroyed the furniture and carried off whatever struck their fancy, including Shaver’s fine horse. The[y] crossed the river into Kentucky and were followed by the citizens of the settlement in Union County for some distance, but no trace of them could be found.
A few days after, Capt. Phillips, who was stationed at Fort Massac, came down with a company of men to bury the dead. A shocking sight met their gaze. Clark and his wife were found in their house dead. The body of young William Phillips was found drifted ashore about a mile below Mound City. His sister was not found; one of her slippers was found on the bank of the river. It is supposed she and her brother got into a skiff and were shot down before they could get away. Kenaday was found some distance from the cabin of Mrs. Phillips. His shoulder and back much cut in gashes by the tomahawks of the savages. The body of Mrs. Phillips was found, and also the body of her unborn babe, impaled upon a stake.
Source:
Musgrave, Jon. “War of 1812.” Slaves, Salt, Sex & Mr. Crenshaw: The Real Story of the Old Slave House and America's Reverse Underground R.R. Marion, IL: IllinoisHistory.com, 2004. 101-02. Print.
Original Source Listed:
William Henry Perrin, ed. 1883. History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski counties, Illinois. Chicago: O. L. Baskin & Co., Historical Publishers. 535-535.
Further Reading:
Damn. I was fine until that last paragraph, now I'm unsettled.