Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

SPRJXG FTKL D, 1 GSG-1SS6. 1 65
uame figures in the unsigned Indian deed referred to at the opening
of the chapter. He was sometimes called Wrutherna, a name at-
tached to the original Indian deed of 1(>3G. If it was the same
person wlio knew William Pynchon and had been the recipient of his
liberality, if not his bounty, the sachem's treacher}' was all the more
marked, and it may be here said that he was probably killed in battle
a 3^ear later at Dedham.
One party fired the house of correction on the hill, and after the
flames were leaping from tliirty-three houses and from twent^'-five
barns, the savages seemed determined on more blood, but the three
houses were too well built and defended for the Indian mode of
attack. An importunate savage having secured a pewter [)latter
held it before him and mai-ched toward one of the houses, but it only
served as a guide to the l>ullets that pierced his heart. This platter,
with two bullet-holes, was owned by Joseph Ferre, but a domestic
sold it to a junk-dealer al:)out thirty years ago.
The Indians secured ricli plunder but little blood upon this dread-
ful .')th of October. Edmund Fringrydays was fatally wounded, and
about noon David Morgan received a bullet wound in his neck, while
attempting with others to In-ing over some of Major Treat's soldiers
who had arrived in great haste on the West Springfield bank. The
Indians had little troulile in keeping the reenforcements at bay, but
three hours later Major Pynchon and Captain Appleton with 200
troopers rode into Springfield on a dead run all the way from Ilad-
ley ; but all that was left for them to do was to scare off the In-
dians, who had no notion of joining battle. They were heavily laden
with plunder. The ashes of the town was the evidence of their
wrath, and oft' they went into the forest.
The Indians retired with their l)00ty to Indian Leai» ( rndiau
Orchard), built up twenty-four fires on that naturally fortified spot,
overhanging the waters, slept in perfect security, and awoke in
triumph ;
but
Springfield slept in smoke and danger, and awoke in
fear. The town never knew a darker day.