The White Man's Revenge (The Death of Tonquish and His Son)

Alton Daily Courier, May 25, 1854

This is the second variation of the story of Tonquish and his son's deaths that
differ from the standard version in Tonquish Tales by Helen Frances
Gilbert. While in another newspaper rendition the death spiral started over a kicked dog
whereby Tonquish's son shot and killed Tom Sargent for the misdeed. It
was then that Capt. Macomb and his militia tracked down and killed the
pair.

In this version it starts over a shot deer which Tom Sargent, presumably though not named, claims the deer after Tonquish Jr. had shot and tracked
it to him. Tonquish Jr. killed Sargent and the posse comes looking for
him. When confronted with the story Tonquish denies knowledge of his
son's whereabouts. One militiaman caught sign of Jr. hiding in the brush and raised to shoot at
him whence Tonquish raised his gun in reply. Before he could fire both
he and his son were gunned down and died. Which of these stories is true is left to
the ages.

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A Dudley Randall Poem in Milestone 2

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The Nankin Township Historical Society

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