Feature Article on the Dilbone
family. Topic: INDIANS & PEOPLE
Written by Rich Wallace in
October, 1995
INDIAN MASSACRE TOOK PLACE IN 1813 IN NORTHERN MIAMI COUNTY...Pg 2 |
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| As Henry worked in the flax
field, the children settled down to play under the shade of a black walnut tree. Suddenly,
a shot rang out. Henry slumped to the ground. Mrs. Dilbone immediately ran toward her
children, but the Indian swiftly overtook her. With one smooth swing of his tomahawk, he
split her head open. In the presence of her horrified children, he proceeded to scalp her.
The Indian then walked slowly toward the trembling children. Young John
Dilbone heard the report of another gun some distance to the south. Although he did not
know it at the time, the gunshot was part of a coordinated attack. Other Indians had just shot and killed David
Garrard, one of Dilbone's neighbors four miles to the south. John slowly turned to face
the advancing Indian. Apparently fearful that help was on its way, the murderer turned and
began running away.
William McKinney heard the shooting and arrived quickly. Henry Dilbone was
still alive, having been shot through the chest. Dilbone was taken to a blockhouse near
Piqua. He clung desperately to life. Two days later, Henry asked to see the body of his
wife. Shortly after his grieving neighbors complied with the request, Henry died. He was
just 27 years old. Their bodies were secretly buried one and a half miles due west of
where Fletcher, Ohio is now located.
A party of settlers set out to find the murderers. Mingo George and his
cohort escaped and traveled north into Shelby County. They stopped for dinner the next day
at the Robert McClure cabin, which was located north of what is now Houston. Only 16 year old
Rosanna was home.
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