USA > New York > Sullivan County > Gazetteer and business directory of Sullivan county, N. Y., for 1872-3 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
On another occasion Tom was at Pond Eddy, on the Penn- sylvania side of the Delaware, in company with a relative named Peter Quick, when an Indian known as William George was discovered in a canoe, and coming directly towards them. Tom made Peter squat in the reed grass, and the two remained concealed until the Indian came close to them, when Tom rushed from the grass, aimed his rifle at the savage, and order- ed him to come ashore, which he did. Tom would have killed him but for the importunities of his companion, who induced him to let him go. As the canoe was shooting through the water, Tom aimed his rifle at the fast retreating Indian, and exclaimed : "Ho could ich, de dunder ; out de cano tumbly !" ("Thunder ! how I could tumble him out of the canoe!") Tom was very morose during the remainder of the day, and seemed to be angry because he had permitted the Indian to escape.
Two Indians, upon a certain occasion, came to Minisink to sell their skins and procure ammunition, and a few other articles which they needed. Tom made their acquain- tance and induced them to join him in a hunt at Hagen Pond, in Highland. One of them proposed to remain at the Pond and fish, while Tom and the other agreed to spend the day in hunting. This arrangement was the more readily assented to by Tom, as it greatly facilitated the accomplishment of his pur- pose, which was to kill both of them. Tom and his companion took separate routes, agreeing to meet during the day at the Rock Cabin, and, after hunting a short time, Tom proceeded to the Cabin, where he selected a good place to watch for the coming of the Indian. At the time appointed for meeting, the stealthy tread of the latter was heard in the thicket, from which, in & few moments, he emerged to sight, and with a shriek fell to the earth a corpse. Tom's sure riffe had found another victim. Some leaves and mould were soon thown over the body, and Tom was on his way back to the Pond, wherehe waylaid the other Indian and killed him.
At another time, while hunting with Cornelius DeWitt, at Hagen Poud, Tom discovered traces of an Indian and immedi- ately resolved to look him up, while DeWitt gathered wood for
86
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
a fire. In company with his dogs, he crept noiselessly through the bushes until he neared the outlet, where he had to leave the bushes and cross an open space. While doing this, he discov- ered an Indian, some distance off, on the " big marsh," evidently hunting for ducks or wild geese, as he had a gun. They dis- covered each other about the same time, and the latter, suspect- ing the white man was bound on no friendly errand, fled to the adjoining woods and disappeared in the direction of the Dela- ware. This occurred about sunset, and Tom returned to where he and DeWitt intended to stay during the night. They con- cluded to dispense with a fire, lest it might serve as a beacon to the savage and enable him to turn the tables against them, if he were disposed to harm them. The next morning Tom told De Witt he intended to look the red skin up. De Witt objected, but without avail. The trail was soon found and in company they followed to the Delaware, thence to the Brink Pond in Penn- sylvania, where he again came in sight of his intended victim. Again the Indian was fortunate to discover Tom before the latter reached within rifle shot, and, seeing that his life depended upon his speed, fled like a frightened stag. Tom, knowing that his speed would not soon be slackened, and that he would have to follow him too far into the Indian country for bis own safety, gave up the chase.
The nine following stories are classed by the author before mentioned as apocryphal :
Tom usually wintered at the house of some congenial spirit on the frontier. The family upon which he quartered himself was always well paid for boarding him; for as long as he staid with them, they lived upon the fat of the land. He invariably supplied them with an abundance of venison and bear meat. Once he found that winter was near at hand and that he had not the usual supply of venison for the person with whom he intended to stay. He was about to engage in a hunt at some distance, where he was quite sure he could find deer enough in a few days to supply his friend's cabin as long as he desired, when an Indian came into the neighborhood. Tom made his acquaintance às soon as practicable, and it was not long before they agreed to go on a hunt together-Tom agreeing to take the venison for his share, and the Indian the skins. The first day they had unusual good luck, having killed seven deer. The Indian had as many skins as he could carry, and consequently did not wish to hunt any more at that time; so he got them together, and placing them on his back, started for his 'cabin. He never reached it, however; for as he started off, Tom fired his rifle, and down tumbled the Indian, the ball having gone through the seven skins and into his body. When Tom reached
87
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
the settlement with the skins and venison, his friends, who knew the bargain he had made with the Indian, asked him how he came by all the hides; he replied that after they had got through hunting he " killed a buck with seven skins on his back !"
The Indians knew or suspected that Tom was the cause of the mysterious disappearance of their friends, and frequent attempts were made to kill him; but, although they had numerous opportunities, they missed their mark so often that they believed he had a charmed life and could not be touched by an Indian ball. One spring Tom was splitting rails for a man named Westbrook, who lived in the Mamakating Valley. He had rather a tough log to split, and was driving in a wedge, when he was suddenly surrounded by seven Indian warriors. They told him he must go with them, to which he readily assented, provided they would help him split the log. They were so pleased at getting Tom without a fight that they threw down their guns, and each one thrust his hand into the split, according to the directions of Tom, who said he would drive the wedge while they pulled. Instead of driving the wedge in, however, he gave a well-directed blow and drove it out, and thus fastened the whole seven by catching their fingers in the half-split log. He then killed them at his leisure.
One winter an Indian came to the house where Tom had "put up," and asked and received permission to stay all night. He professed to be very friendly, but Tom soon discovered that he had an enemy to deal with. During the evening he asked Tom if he would not like to go with him the next day and kill some deer he pretended to bave seen not far off. Tom readily agreed to do so. During the night, Tom managed to get the Indian's rifle, which he unloaded, and substituting ashes in place of the powder, he put back the ball, and placed it carefully where he found it. The next morning the savage slyly inserted the ram-rod in the chamber of the rifle, ex- amined the priming, &c., and seemed satisfied that all was right. This and other circumstances confirmed Tom in the belief that mischief was brewing. There was considerable snow on the ground and the hunters found it difficult to tread through it. The Indian, apparently to make the walking easier, proposed that one of them should go ahead and break the path, to which Tom not only readily agreed, but consented to be the first to go in advance, at which the Indian was greatly pleased. After they had proceeded in this way a mile or two, and come to a lonely spot, Tom heard the Indian's gun snap and the powder flash in the pan. He looked back and asked what the Indian had seen. "A fine buck," was the
1
88
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
reply. The Indian re-primed his gun and they went on. Pretty soon Tom heard another snap and flash. " Well, brother Indian," he inquired, "what did you see this time ?" "An eagle sweep over the forest," replied the other, as he again primed the gun. "Brother Indian," said Tom, "the snow is deep. I am tired. You go ahead." "Brother Yan- kee speaks well," said the savage gloomily, as he took his station in advance. Tom levelled his rifle. "Lying Indian dog!" exclaimed he, "what do you see now ?" "The spirit land," was the reply, as the Indian hung his head and drew over it his blanket. The Indian was soon dispatched.
Tom was wandering through the woods one day without his rifle, when he encountered a young Indian who was armed. Tom spoke to him in a friendly manner, and they were soon on good torms. "Brother Indian," said Tom, "would you like to see Tom Quick ?" The savage answered in the affirmative, and Tom agreed to show him the Indian Killer. After a long walk, which terminated on a high ledge of rocks, at the foot of which were a few acres of cleared land, Tom told the Indian to wait a few moments and he would show him the person they were looking for. Tom went to the brink of the precivice and peered over it. After watching several minutes he exclaimed "There he comes," and suggested to his companion to take his place, so as to get a good sight of him, The Indian cocked his rifle and hastily and eagerly advanced to Tom's side. " Where is he? " in- quired the red man. "There, -- There," said Tom, pointing so that the Indian would loan over the brink in his desire to shoot the enemy of. his race. " A little further-a little further," whis- pered Tom. The Indian hung over the precipice as far as he could without losing his equilibration. Tom slipped behind him, and suddenly grasping the shoulders of the savage, and shouting, "Shoot ant ! shoot me, would you!" he hurled the Indian over the precipice. The Indian fell on the rocks below and was killed.
The Indians captured Tom several times; but owing to their anxiety to apply the torture to their wily enemy when they reached their villages, his life was spared, and he always man- aged to escape before arriving there. On one occasion they surprised him while asleep. They bound him securely and after plundering the cabin in which they found him, set out for their own country by way of the Delaware. One of the two Indians engaged in this adventure, curried on his shoulders, Tom's goods and chattels, and walked in advance, while the other had possession of the rifle of himself and companion, (one of which was kept cocked, ready to shoot Tom if he at- tempted to escape,) and brought up the rear. Part of the way
89
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
their route lay over a high ledge of rocks, where they were obliged to take a very dangerous path far up on the cliff. At times the path was very narrow and they were compelled to travel almost directly on the brow of the precipice. Here Tom determined to make an effort to escape and kill the savage who followed him. When they reached the narrowest part of the path, Tom feigned to be very dizzy and absolutely refused to proceed further, although the blows of the Indian fell thick and fast upon his shoulders. He leaned against the bank on the upper side and shuddered whenever he cast his eyes toward the river. The Indian, after beating him severely, attempted to take hold of him and push him along. . By an adroit move- ment, Tom got between the Indian and the precipice, and the next instant, with a loud " ugh-whoop!" the savage was making a rapid air line descent to the river. He fell forty or fifty feet and lodged in the crotch of a button-ball or sycamore. His back was broken by the fall, and he hung in the tree powerless, and roaring for his brother savage to help him. The rifles fell into the river. Tom next relied on his heels for safety and ran with astonishing celerity toward home, pursued & short distance by the Indian who carried the plunder, and who, finding it useless to attempt to catch him, returned to help his companion. Tom and two or three of his nearest neighbors returned in a short time to recover the plunder and look after the savages, but could find neither.
Tom was in the habit of concealing in the woods the guns taken from the murdered Indians, and this practice, on one occa- sion, saved his life. Two Indians had captured him and were taking him off by the Grassy Brook route. His arms were pin- ioned with deer skin thongs, and his captors kept a vigilant eye upon him, ready at any moment to shoot him if he attempted to break away from them. After a while it rained, and Tom soon found that the thongs which bound his wrists began to stretch, and ultimately that they became so loose that he could, when he choose, free his hands. He was very careful to conceal this fact from the savages, and waited patiently for a favorable oppor- tunity to attempt an escape. Beside the path they were pursu- ing there was a very large chestnut tree, which was hollow, and on the side of the trunk farthest from the path, the wood had entirely rotted away, leaving a large hollow space. In the open- ing thus made, Tom had not long before concealed several guns, also a flask of powder and a goodly store of bullets. When they reached this tree, Tom expressed an urgent desire to go to it, and gave such a good reason for the request made, that his captors consented to let him go. The Indians cocked their rifles when Tom stepped from the path, and aimed them at him.
90
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
Each with a finger on the trigger, watched him, determined to bring him down if he made the least movement to escape. Once behind the tree, which concealed him from his enemies, he with inconceivable rapidity loaded two or three of the guns. He hesitated a moment after he was ready to shoot, fearing that his guns would miss fire, in consequence of their late disuse ; but knowing that this was probably his last chance, he blazed away at one of the savages, who fell dead. The other attempted to get behind the nearest unoccupied tree, but he never reached it.
An Indian once ascertained the owner of the cabin where Tom was staying kept a hog, and he resolved to make this the cause of Tom's destruction. One evening, when no one but Tom was in the cabin, he got into the pen, which was made of logs, and by holding the hog between his knees, caused it to squeal as lustily and shrilly as if a bear had hold of it. This, the Indian supposed, would lead Tom to think that a bear, or other animal, had made a raid upon the pen, and would cause him to imprudently expose himself as he ran to the rescue of the pig; but Tom was not thrown off his guard by the ruse ; he cautiously peered through a crevice in the door, and though he at first discovered nothing which led him to suppose that the assailant was not an animal, he was soon rewarded with the sight of an Indian's head above the top log of the pen. The hog proved a rather fractious steed, and the Indian found it difficult to manage it and make necessary observations for Tom's appearance. The sight of the Indian's head satisfied Tom as to the nature of the enemy he had to deal with, and he prepared to greet its second appearance with his usual salutation. The red man soon exhibited his head again, when the porker was speedily released from its burden. With a piercing yell, the savage jumped from the enclosure and endeavored to flee to the adjoining woods; but he had received a deadly wonnd, and Tom soon overtook him and finished his work.
According to an old legend, Tom, while in a field at work, was accosted by an Indian, who pretended he had discovered something not far off which he wished his " brother Yankee" to see. Tom consented to go with him, and did not fail to observe the gleam of malignant satisfaction on the countenance of his visitor, which told him plainly what was the errand on which the red man was beat. The Indian had discovered Tom from a hill near by, and had concealed his gan in the woods, hoping to entice him to its neighborhood while he was un- armed, and then kill him. Tom had gone but a short distance with the Indian when he discovered a hemlock knot, which he
1
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
91
concluded would be a very good weapon in a rough and tumble fight. He stooped to pick it up, but the savage perceived him and sprang upon him, and although he got hold of it he could not use it. A long struggle ensued, in which Tom finally came off victor; but to the day of his death he averred that this was the most severe fight in which he was ever engaged. When he had killed the red man, he was so exhausted that it was with difficulty he got to the house where he had found a temporary residence.
According to another legend, a native attempted to kill Tom while he was engaged in a saw mill. Tom, by some means, learned of the Indian's presence, and arranged his hat and coat in such a way as to deceive him. While the Indian supposed he was about to shoot Tom between the shoulders, the latter was in a position to send a ball through the body of his foe, who soon numbered. one more to Tom's many victims.
During the Revolutionary War, Tom seems to have been busy in his crusade against the Indians. He would not enlist in the army; but would join in any expedition that was got up against the savages, and continue with it as long as he pleased, when he would go off and fight " on his own hook."
On one occasion he joined a party from Minisink, who were in pursuit of some marauding Indians. The latter were several hours in advance, and were not seen by their pursuers until they had reached the Delaware, somewhere in Cochecton or Imumberland. The Indians had crossed where the river was very wide, and were waiting on the opposite shore to have a battle if the whites attemped to cross. It was considered im- prudent to make the attempt, and when this conclusion was apparent to the Indians, some of whom were on the opposite beach, where it was supposed no gun would reach them, they commenced a war of words, and finally one of them made an indecent gesture toward the Yankees, and dared them to shoot. This so enraged Tom that he fired, and the Indian, with a yell, fell upon his face and was soon dead.
At another time, Tom was in the woods alone. He was on the lookout for Indians, when he unexpectedly came upon one. They saw each other at the same moment, and both fired at once. 'The Indian's ball struck one of Tom's thumbs, the end of which it cut off. The ball glanced along the barrel of the rifle and passed so close to one of Tom's cars that it tingled for some time. Tom was more fortunate. He shot the Indian through the head. This was the only time Tom was hit by an Indian.
During the war, Tom met another savage under similar circumstances. He and the Indian both took to trees within gunshot of each other, where they remained for some time,
-
-
.92
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
each one hoping to get a shot. After various stratagems, Tom resorted to the old one of thrusting his cap cautiously from behind the tree. Crack went the Indian's rifle, and Tom fell upon the ground, pretending to be wounded, when the Indian came.running towards him to take his scalp. Tom sprung up and shot him. The Indian exclaimed, as he saw Tom aim, " Me cheated."
According to tradition, Tom was taken prisoner by the savages during the Revolution, but in what manner and in what locality is not known. He was caught by a numerous band, who stripped him of everything except his shirt and trowsers, as they supposed; but fortunately Tom had under his shirt a powder-flask filled with rum, which his genius taught him how to render of service. When the Indians found what sort of a prize they had, they set off by forced marches to their own country. In addition to being bound, a long piece of raw hide was fastened to Tom's wrists, one end of which was held by an Indian. He was kept in the midst of the party, and was sub- jected to all manner of insults. At night Tom was more securely tied, placed within their circle, and guarded by one of their number. In the first part of the night, Tom pretended to be asleep, and after a while feigned to wake up. He hoped to get his sentinel drunk and thus effect his escape. He com- menced a conversation with him for that purpose, but he soon found that be had the wrong person to deal with, for the Indian did not drink rum. The next night he had better success and he soon had the satisfaction of seeing the Indian who was appointed to guard him, insensible from the effects of the rum he had drank. He managed to get the Indian's knife, and with it to cut the cords which bound him. He wounded himself severely in doing so. He was soon free and speedily turned his steps homeward. The Indians did not discover his absence till morning. They followed him almost to the settle- ments; but he was several miles in advance, and in speed was equal to the fleetest of his pureuers.
Three Indians resolved to avenge the death of their relatives, whose sudden and mysterious disappearance they attributed to Tom. They started in pursuit of that individual, pledged not to return till his death or capture was effected. They lay in ambush all one season, where they expected Tom would be, but he did not make his appearance, and the approach of cold weather compelled them to seek winter quarters. With the approach of the next " wrason of flowers," they resumed their station and watching. Soon they encountered a white man who was bound up the river, and whom they recognized as a friend. He was moreover an intense hater of Tom, who, from the rancor
---
93
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
and bitterness of his tory sentiments, had pronounced him worse than an Indian, and had even threatened to kill him. From him the warriors obtained information which induced them to change their plan of operations. Tom, they found, was living with one of his friends near Handsome Eddy; there they resolved to seek him and act as circumstances dictated. They proceeded to a height in Tom's neighborhood, where they learned he was in the habit of going to the woods every evening after a cow, and that a bell was on the cow. The next after- noon they went to the place where the cow was usually found. Towards evening they took the bell from her and drove ber back into the woods. They then stationed themselves near Tom's residence, so as to see what was going on there without being seen themselves, and commenced ringing the bell, sup- posing that the stratagem would bring Quick into their clutches, and that they could easily shoot him as he approached their place of concealment. Just before sundown, Tom started after the cow, rifle in hand as usual. As soon as he heard the bell, it occurred to him that its ring was not natural -it was longer and louder than usual. This admonished him to exer- cise caution, and instead of proceeding directly in the direction whence the sound of the bell came, he took a wide circuit, (in doing which he encountered the cow,) and soon came in view of the Indians, one of whom had possession of the bell, while the others, with their arms ready for a conflict, were peering through the bushes in the direction of the cabin. Tom resolved to attack all three. He passed cautiously from tree to tree, so as to bring them in range, with a view to killing two with the first shot. As he neared the spot from which he intended to shoot, be unfortunately stepped on a twig which snapped under his foot. Instantly the bell stopped and the Indians turned toward him with rifles cocked; but before they saw him he dis- appeared behind a large hemlock, which screened him from their view. They saw nothing except the cow, which was quietly grazing and walking towards them, and supposing the cause of alarm originated with her, they recommenced the ringing and watching. Tom then left the shelter of the friendly hemlock and reached his objective point. He took deliberate aim, and two of the savages were placed Hors de Combat, while the third, the bell ringer, was slightly wounded, but not sufficiently to prevent his escaping, though in his hurry and surprise he forgot to take his rifle.
The Indians were very much exasperated when they learned the fate of these two braves, and were more than ever determin- ed to capture or slay Tom. They organized a band of fifteen or twenty braves, who, after some search, found Tom's retreat.
9.4. -
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
A 'storm of rain, accompanied by a dense mist or fog, aided them in their enterprise, enabling them to surround the cabin in which he was the solitary occupant, and before he was aware of the presence of his enemies, he was in their power. As resistance was useless, Tom submitted, and was speedily bound. When they had secured him, the joy of the red men was unbounded. As it was near night and was raining when the capture was made, the Indians concluded to defer their homeward journey until morning. Tom's skins and other articles were prepared for transportation ; but his favorite rifle, which was in a dark corner in the garret, escaped their notice. Among other things which pleased them, the Indians found a small keg of "fire water" -- a liquid which Tom seldom used, but generally had in his possession. They drank of it freely, and its effects soon became visible. They were variously affected by it, and those who seemed to become more shrewd and intel- ligent, saw that, unless Tom was placed beyond the reach of their ill-natured brethren, he would probably fall a victim to their increasing moroseness ere morning ; and next to taking his life, they desired the whole tribe to participate in torturing him. They were not disposed, however, to take the exclusive charge of him, for they desired to have " a night of it" too. As none of them wished the approaching carousal checked in any manner, a proposition to bind their prisoner with additional thongs and secure him to a rafter in the garret, was heartily approved by all and was speedily carried into effect. During the progress of the caronsal, Tom overheard an animated dis- cussion between the savages as to whether it was best to take his scalp at once or reserve him for the torture. He remained in an agony of suspense, revolving in his mind the probabilities of making his escape; but so desperate was his situation that escape seemed almost hopeless, and he even meditated suicide to cheat his captors of the pleasure they anticipated in his tor- ture and death, but he was too securely tied even to commit self-murder, and soon abandoned the idea. About midnight, however, the savages became less boisterous, and soon relapsed into a state of quiet. So far as Tom could judge, all were either asleep or too much intoxicated to harm him. Ere long he im- agined he heard the sound of a foot on the floor, and presently some one seomed to be ascending the ladder which led to the garret. A moment afterwards the head of a drunken savage appeared above the floor of the apartment in which Tom was confined. In one hand the savage held a brand of fire and in the other a formidable looking knife. He approached with unsteady feet, and stood before his intended victim, with fea- tures distorted and brutal from the effects of rum, and with
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.