Rising Sun Times, Volume 1, Number 25, Rising Sun, Ohio County, 3 May 1834 — Page 1

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hjkt O To "praise where praise is due," and blame w here blame, In spite ol Fashion, pride or oilier name.

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lie posl-pat'l to receive attention. J lalerary and "iM'ellaneon DANIEL DOONE. "Of all men, saving Scylla, the manslayer, W ho passes for, in life or death most lucky, Of the great names that in our faces stare, The General Boone, backwoodsman of Kentucky, Was the happiest among mortals any where. For killing nothing but a bear or buck, he Enjoyed the lonely, vigorous, harmless days Of his old age in wilds of deepest maze." Byron. When stories are related over a winters fire, in that considerable portion of our planet called the Mississippi Valley, no name is more familiar, or will ever be in the narrators lips, than that of Boone. It has not yet gathered half its fame! There is nothing like it in history; and this same Backwoodsman should be ranked above Romulus or any other founder to which nations looked with reverence. He was born near Bristol in Pennsylvania, in 1746 but afterwards lived at Heading, till, at the age of 13, he moved with his father to the Valley of Yadkin, in North Carolina. The sports of the boy denoted the pursuits of the man; and as soon as he could poise a gun, he waged exterminating war upon the squirrels, raccoons and wild cats. In this he was pre eminent above all boys of his age. lie loved not the imprisonment of a school, though he acquired the rudiments of a common education, "The tedious day of study spent, The heavy moulded lecture done, lie to the woods a hunting went, But sighed to see the setting sun." His passion was for the woods, and a tree looked to him like a friend. He had that best of followers, a dog, and that questionable friend, a gun. With them he passed his days in the forest. On his first long absence, when scarcely fourteen, the neighbors sympathising with the alarmed family turned out for a search, for it was feared that "an evil beast had devoured him." After a long and weary hunt, they discovered at the distance of n league from any plantation, a cabin of sods and branches, a comfortable hut that would have commanded the respect of Robinson Crusoe. It was somewhat covered with ikins of wild beasts and garnished with trophies of the sylvan chase. A joint of game was roasting at the fire. Here they found the juvenile Nimrod, who at that green age was a hunter of wolves, bears and panthers. It is recorded of him that being in the woods of Pennsylvania with other boys, they heard close at hand the harsh and formidable scream of the panther. All retreated but Boone, whose coolness never deserted him. The animal was near and crouching in the attitude to spring when Boone lodged a bullet in his heart. These encounters were to his taste. The blood more stirs, To rouse a lion than start a hare, Optat aprum ant fahum descenrfere tnonte concm. But, he had contributed, not his mite, but his talent, towards creating a scarcity of game, and he was gratified w hen his father carried the household penates to the wilderness, for such was the residence on the Yadkin. The removal was a patriarchal pro cession. The old man carried wife, children, servant, flocks and herds. The whole family loved retirement and dL-likcd to live in houses with belts and locks. To Daniel was assigned the venatic department, and he dis charged its duties faithfully, but he had no etoem for an axe or a plough.

The farm indeed prospered, but there was more venison than beef. These were golden days for Boone, but his success attracted other settlers, who came "cranking in," and he saw the smoke of other cabins, and what was harder he heard the sound of falling trees. This sylvan life was not unfavorable to the developcment of the kindly affections which were strong in Boone. The origin of his courtship was characteristic. He was one night engaged in a fire hunt with a comrade, in which the deer is betrayed by the gleaming of his eyes. Near to the house, of a farmer named Bryan, they beheld the light reflected from two eyes, and Boone held his rifle in readiness, but the proprietor of the eyes lied to the house, and Boone found in this prettymaiden of sixteen, for it was Rebecca Bryan, a devoted wife that willingly shared in his future dangers. When he yvas married he sought deeper solitude on the head waters of the Yadkin, and his wife went cheerfully to this unsettled wilderness. Men change their abode for interest or caprice; women from affection non animum mutant. They soon had ample means for comfort and hospitality: the arrival of a stranger was a happy time, for in the forest men have not, as in towns, ceremony, distrust, rivalry, jealousy, or party feeling. As it pleases an Italian or a German to meet a mere countryman in exile, so in the wilderness it gratifies man to meet man. But improvement sprung up as if by magic around the retreat of Boone, there were roads, villages, metes, bounds, laws and lawyers. He resolved to quit them all, and to dive deeper into the wilds. To escape all these evils it yvas necessary to interpose the barrier of the Alleghany

Mountains. A few hunters and others had brought back golden reports of the western regions which excited ev ery imagination, but irresistibly fell upon Boone's. But no description could exceed the beauty and magni ficence of the west. Whatever was grand in mountains, or beautiful in rivers and vegetation, was there. The caverns under the earth had the extent of the largest cities, and ran beneath navigable rivers. There were in the rock, footsteps of men, horses, and other animals as distinct as if made in the snow. The animals' remains were prodigious in size. The streams in some places ran through limestone walls of 400 feet; it was a terrestrial paradise to which all the animals which gave their names in Eden, seemed gathered. It was a country of warriors: and happy', thrice happy were the first explorers. Among these, was Finley, who on his return to North Carolina, found a kindred spirit in Boone. They were too much pleased with each other to part for the winter, and Finley was the guest of Boone till they had matured a plan for occupying Kentucky in the Spring. On the first of May then in 1769, the tyvo leaders, with four followers, all men, bolder than the Argonauts, as sembled, and the neighbours met to witness their departure. 1 he adventurers had each a rifle, ammunition and a knapsack. Tears filled the eyes of honest Daniel as he turned from the door, for he yvas as kind and affectionate as brave and persevering. The poet has called him the " Man of Ross, run wild." Having crossed the yvooded ridges, they stood on the western declivity of the Cumberland mountain. What a scene! an interminable extent of wood, river, prarie, without inhabitant, for it was the hunting ground, not the abode of the Indians. When Boone yvas thus retreating from society, it could not have occurred to him even as possibility, that in half a century, this country would have four millions of inhabitants of which he was pioneer, and that the water would be navigated by more than 200 large vessels. It is not easy to realize these changes after they have happened; but none surely would have predicted them. The adventurers came at the foot of the mountain upon a herd of buffaloes nulla custode, unappropriated flocks, of thousands. They passed on, with the force of a torrent, and the travellers yvere in imminent danger of being crushed. Finley, however, who was no novice, but a hunter fit to stand by Nimrod and "give direction," lodged a bullet between the horns ol an unwield ly bull, one of the leaders of the column.

He fell, and those near him stopped.

This created confusion in the mass be hind, which however passed onward, opening where the buffaloe lav,and this opening widened as the two masses of itumals passed onwards, giving a space for the hunters. As the last division thundered by, Boone exclaimed "Job of Uz had not larger droves of cattle than ours." They had successful hunting, and collected many peltries, without having met during the summer a single Indian. So passed their time to near the close of the year. But in a subsequent exploring expedition, Boone and Stew art were captured by a party of Indi ans who sprang upon them from a cane brake. Both the captives understood the advantage of appearing unconcern ed, and they marched with at least cheerful countenances. This gave as cendency to the advice of those among the Indians yvho were for sparing life, and deceived by the apparent contempt of the captives, vigilance was remitted on the part of the Indians, but none yvas yvanting on the side of the prison ers. On the seventh night, the sava ges having ted plentifully before a great fire, fell into a deep slumber. But Boone and his companion were not drowsy. Boone raised himself to a ltling posture, looking round to sec if his motion had been observed. An Indian turned in his sleep, and Boone fell back to his recumbent posture. After a quarter of an hour, he sat up again, and had some silent communication with Stewart, who without waking any one, had got upon his feet. They re tired from the circle of sleepers, and yvere lucky enough to get their rifles from the place where they stood. Then they stole silently into the woods. This was at dawn, and at night they were at their camp. They saw forms approaching, yvho on being challenged, answered, "yvhite men and friends," and Boone found the strangers his brother and a companion yvho had just arrived from the Yadkin. They pursued their occupation of hunting, but were aware that the Indians were in the neighborhood. Stewart was killed by them, by the side of Boone, who retreated amid a shower of arrows. The companion of his bro ther waS also killed, probably by wolves, and the brothers were left alone. After living a while together, ammunition began to fail them, and it yvas settled that Daniel should remain, (the only yvhite man in the wilderness,) while his bro ther returned for necessary supplies. Their only dog went with the departing brother. Boone soon after made a long jour ney to the North-west, in which for the first time he beheld the pleasant Ohio. Returning to his cabin he found it un disturbed by Indians. He however of ten changed his quarters, from caution, sleeping sometimes in the cane brake or under a limestone cliff. He frequently found that his cabin had been visited by umvelcome intruders during his absence. Yet he used to affirm that this period was the happiest in his life. But it had many dangers. One day as he rested in one of his excursions under the shade of a tree, he perceived four Indians advancing openly as tho' they had not discovered him. As four to one was too great odds even for him, he forthyvith gained the shelter of the woods ; but after having gone two miles, he perceived that he was pursued. His pursuers foiled all his tacks and points, though it seemed they had not yet seen him. At last he swung himself on a grape vine that was suspended from a tree, and thus made a jump of some yards by which he broke the trail. His next danger was from a ferocious she bear which came upon him, but was killed by a thrust of his knife. In due time his brother returned, mounted on one horse, and leading another, heavily laden. After a short space it was determined that both should return to North Carolina, for the family and other settlers that would make the residence secure. On the second day of this journey Boone shot a panther upon the back of a buffaloe, where he was fastened by his teeth and claws. Four or five families joined them in North Carolina, and the caval cade set forth late in September, 1773 In Powell's Valley forty persons more came in, who raised the number of emi grants to nearly eighty persons. On the yvest side of an Allegheny Ridge in a narrow defile the little colo ny was suddenly terrified by savage yells

"As all the fiends from heaven that fell Had pealed the banner cry of hell." They yvere surrounded by savages who killed six at the first onsetr but who were repulsed by a dii-chaige of riiles. Among the slain was tho. eMest son of Boone. The domestic animals were scattered and lost. This commencement yvas too inauspicious for the hardihood of the party, which returned forty miles to the settlement on Clinch RiverIn 1774, Boone, then a resident at this settlement, was requested by the Governor of Virginia to guide a party of surveyors to the falls of Ohio. He was appointed to the command of two contiguous garrisons on the frontier with the rank of captain. He was besides required to lay out a road from the settlements on the Ilolston to the Kentucky river. The parly were repeatedly assailed by Indians, and several of the laborers were killed. This party then built a fort, or a blockhouse, and cabins surrounded by palisades, at Boonesborough, when Boone returned for his family; and his wife and daughter yvere the first yvhite women that ever beheld the Kentucky river. He was the first actual settler and cultivator of the soil, in Kentucky. The Indians, though not amicable, did not attempt any immediate assault, and the great commonwealth began its infant existence under happy auspices. The seeds of future empire took root and flourished. It is true there yvas danger; but for the yvoodsman tn Wk sharply at others, lest they should conceal a foe, and to be as familiar with the rifle as yvith the axe. Trees were cut or girdled, and a garden soon surrounded the rude cabins. Seeds were committed to the earth, and gave an hundred fold increase. The females sometimes ventured beyond the palisades. There were among them three rustic graces, maidens; upon yvhom the wild solitude had stamped its impress. One afternoon, they wandered forth like Proserpine, and her companions, and on the same floral errand, yvhen they yvere suddenly seized by six savages. Some natural shrieks they raised, but hushed them soon, for it is known of the Indians, that they are more renowned than the Europeans for their decorum to female prisoners. No law is so sacred yvith them as that of honor; no penalty so hard as disgrace. The loss was soon communicated to the garrison and inexpressibly dear

to the parents yvere the lost ones. Col. Calloway and Capt. Boone, the parents, solicited volunteers to pursue the Indians, under an oath to take the captives or die. Cowards were scarce, and every man crowded around Boone to repeat this oath which has come down to us, "By the Eternal Power that made me a father, if my daughter lives, and is found, I will either bring her back or spill my life blood." Seven only (besides the parents) yvere select ed to pursue. 1 The trail yvas difficult to find, for it had been most artfully concealed, and was at least discovered by chase. The rearward Indians had covered the steps with leaves; the party often turned off at right angles, and coming to a brook walked in the water. But it is hard to deceive a backwoodsman. When at a loss for the trail near a brook, they found something upon the ground more precious than all the diamonds of Sinbad's Valley. This was a little parcel of ribbon dropped by one of the cap tives. Afterwards they found a shred of handkerchief or minute piece of dress, enough to show the pursuers that the prisoners had in all their troubles, foresight and a collected mind. Next day the foot prints became plain, so that the backwoodman could tell the number of fugitives. On the fifteenth day's march, late in the evening, they discovered in the woods a fire. The plan of recapture or assault was committed to Boone, and he led his company to encamp, when some slept under the guard of a sentinel, while Boone, Calloway, and a third, waited for midnight to approach and reconnoitre the enemy. These falling prostrate, crept by inches towards the Indians so that "the blind mole could not hear a fool fall." Pushing aside the bushes they beheld seventeen Indians in sound sleep upon the ground and they discovered also another camp near, and crawling round to this, they beheld the maidens guarded by two warriors with tomahawks and other weapons. One appeared to slumber, theother seemed buf toovigilant.

Boone, by a motion, directed Calloway to keep his muzzle upon the sleeping Indian, while he crept round to spring upon the watchful one, and to strangle him if possible yvifhout awakening the sleeper. But if he slept, he was easily awakened, for t!e shadow of Boone roused him, and he sprung up uttering a yell that made the forest ring. The first thought of Calloway and Boone yva to fire, but they refrained and supplicated for their daughters. They yvere bound, and a council yvas held by the savages who determined to dispatch their new captives yvithout torture, a favor too seldom accorded to the Long Knives. They yvere led out and bound to a tree. The exculioners stood near yvith their tomahawks, and the prisoners were taking a last look at the forest, when a discharge arrested the immolation. Another and another volley succeeded, and the Indians fled in confusion, when joy of joys! the fathers loosened the bands of their daughters'. In 1777, Kentucky yvas organized as a county of Virginia. In April of this year, a body of 100 Indians invested Boonesborough, supplied mostly with arms, though some had bows and arroyvs. Boone received them in a manner that made them as anxious to go as they had. been yvillingto come. In July he resisted another horde of 200. After a close siege of two days they raised a j ell of ftieTrpolniiiient and disappeared in the forest. Every house, in early settlements, was a garrison and sustained its seiges. The fortifications were simple, but the besiegers had little skill. The station was generally on an eminence and every thing yvas removed that could conceal or protect an enemy. The enclosure contained more than half an acre,, and if it had no spring, was furnished with a . ell, or reservoir for water. The trench surrounding the fort was five feet deep, and in this yvere planted large and contiguous pickets of hard timber, twelve feet in heighth. At the angle were projecting squares, where the sentry could rake the whole front; The chief expedient of the red manwas to set fire to the buildings, yvhich. hoyvever, they seldom effected. Bryant's station yvas attacked in 1732 by 600 Indians, who found the garrison without a supply of water. The path that led to the well was commanded by a concealed band. Yet the womern of the besieged, more noble than the Roman wives or maidens, volunteered to go forth for a supply of water. They yvent and returned till they had filled the reservoir, though they saw here and there a painted face under covert of the weeds. The Indians respected this generous self devotion, and no one fired. Where such are the mothers, yvhat are the sons! Boone yvas the most formidable leader of the Long Knives. He was the patriarch of the settlement, and often supplied the destitute yvith game. When emigrant families yvere approaching he yvent out to meet them and conduct them in.

Once as he was hunting to supply his party yvith food he was approached by the Indians, armed with muskets and tomahawks. He slipt behind a tree, exposing his person in some degree, to attract their fire. This he escaped, and he then drew the fatal trigger and one of his enemies fell dead. Then there remained a single combat in yvhich one party must fall. One was armed yvith a knife, the other with a tomahawk; both rushed toyvards the body of the fallen Indian. Boone received the blow of the tomahawk 011 his rifle, and plunged his knife to the hilt in his adversary's body. This is commemorated in sculpture over the Southern door of the Rotunda in the capilol at Washington. He yvas aftcryvards captured and carried to Chilicothe, where he was adopted into an Indian family and treated kindly. He became a general favorite. But after a while the tribe determined on an expedition against Boonesborough, and Boone resolved to attempt an escape. The expedition was on its way when the opportunity occurred, by the appearance of n deer which Boone yvas permitted to pursue. When out of sight he instantly turned with his best speed, for Boonesborough, using every craft to mislead his pursuers. Few but Boone could have found his way and concealed his trail. Travelling night and day, he went ttvo hundred milei in a brief space; aad