The Quinn family arrived in Nebraska in the fall of 1856. Charles and Michael were bachelors and lived in a log cabin about seven miles east of Columbus. They were frequently molested by Indians who stole their corn and other provisions which were stored in a small granary, a short distance from the house. The Indians were Pawnees, who trapped along the river. One day, just at dusk, Charles Quinn saw two young Indians sneaking up to his place. He saw them enter the granary, and got his gun and waited for them to come out. As they were leaving, he stood in the cabin door and fired. One of the Indians fell dead, and the other one fled.
Charles then went to the home of his neighbor, James Haney, and told him that he had just shot an Indian who was stealing sugar. Mr. Haney told him he had better clear out, because the Indians would most certainly come back and get him. Not only that, but they might even kill the other white settlers in the vicinity.
James and John Haney then proceeded to bury the Indian. They made a coffin out of boards, and when it was finished, it was too short. They had to double the Indian's legs back under him to get him into the box. They then dug a grave on a small hillside, just west of Quinn's place. This land was later acquired by James Haney, and is now the north pasture of Haney's farm.
The Indians at that time were in camp just east of Grand Island. Apparently the one who escaped ran all night to reach his friends. The next evening, a band of Indians in paint and feathers came on horseback and surrounded Quinn's place. Quinn had left his house, and was hiding in some brush along Lost Creek. Finding no one at home, the Indians then rode up to James Haney's house and asked where Quinn was. Mr. Haney told them that Charles Quinn had gone, and showed them where the dead Indian was buried. He offered to settle with them, and after some discussion among themselves, they offered to settle for a horse and a sack of flour. This Mr. Haney gave them. He also added a sack of sugar, and the Indians mounted their ponies and rode away, much to everyone's relief.
Shortly after this, the Quinn brothers left Nebraska. They went to Butte, Montana, where they became wealthy. Mr. Haney bought some of their land, which is part of the Patrick Haney farm.
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