The House Set Afire
The Indians stood in consultation for a few minutes and then set the house on fire. The family consisted of seven persons: The parents, Jacob, Jr., Joseph, Christian and a daughter, name not known; also Barbara Stutzman, probably not at home. As the fire progressed they sought refuge in the cellar, while the Indians stood guard around the house. When the fire had advanced so far as to burst through the floor, its advance was checked by sprinkling cider on the burning spots.
As daylight was now nearing it was thought the enemy would not remain much longer and the family hoped to hold out until they departed. Meanwhile the disturbance attracted the attention of John, living on the adjoining farm. A few steps from his door he could see over to the old home, which being on fire, surrounded by the savages and all the family within, presented a shocking sight. The safety of his wife and child appealed to him. Hastening into his house he took and concealed them in a thicket of brush in a flat place about eighty rods south of his house, and returned to see what could be done for those at the old home. There was no telling where the enemy might strike next, hence he prudently concealed his tracks, and on reaching a place where he could observe the old home, the Indians were just finishing their bloody work.
Family Driven from the House
The family had kept quiet in their retreat, beating the fire back as best they could, and beheld the Indians leaving one after another. The stay in their retreat could scarcely be endured longer and believing the enemy had all left, proceeded to get out through a small window in the basement wall. As they emerged, a young warrior, Tom Lions, about 18 years old, who had lingered behind gathering ripe peaches, observed them and gave the alarm.
Taken from p. 30 of Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler, by Rev. Harvey Hostetler, D.D.
I thought that was rather resourceful to use cider to quench the flames.
I'm not sure why he makes the comment that Barbara Stutzman was probably not at home. If she was married by that time, it would seem likely she would be in her own home. If he's mentioning all the children, why doesn't he mention John, who has already married and lives nearby?
Note the ripe peaches, which will appear again later in the story. I thought perhaps these Indians did not normally have access to peaches if they moved around a lot. Perhaps that's why he lingered for the peaches, or perhaps he was hungry. As far as I know, there was no "Johnny Peach Seed," travelling and spreading peach seeds. Here's a partial answer.
The Spaniards brought peaches to the New World, including to what is now known as Florida. The first English colonists in Virginia found peaches growing wild, probably as a result of the Spaniard's introduction. They began plantings, as did the French in Louisiana. The Indians, as they moved further west ahead of the settlers, spread peach culture across the country.
http://www.plantanswers.com/garden_column/jan05/2.htm
On the other hand, who can resist a ripe peach, fresh from the tree? What a delicacy!
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