USA > New York > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, and border wars of New York, containing a sketch of the early settlements in the county > Part 15
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This Haines, as the result will prove, was a dastardly wretch. He was as barbarous as a savage, but did not possess a single trait which partially redeems the Indian character. The murders of Quick may shock us; but the mean treachery of Haines can elicit no other feeling than abhorrence and con- tempt.
. While the Indians were at his house, Haines pretended that it was necessary for him to go to Minisink after rum and ammu- nition. The real object of his journey was to see Tom, and induce him to go to the Eddy and murder his guests. It is said, that he wished to get possession of the furs which the Indians had brought with them, and which were of consider- able value. He found the old Indian-slayer, who was yet wild with rage, on account of having been robbed of his skins, at the cabin on the Lackawaxen. Tom readily listened to Haines, and agreed to kill the savages, provided he could get any one to help him, for he thought it not advisable to cope with Huy- con and Canope alone, as it was well known they were each nearly equal-to him in cunning and bravery.
Among Tom's friends was a man named Cobe Chambers, or Shimer, who had formerly lived in Shawangunk, and who
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was an acquaintance of the two young ladies who had been so barbarously slain by Shanks and his party. It is not too much to suppose he was a lover of one of them, or a near relative, as he readily agreed to assist Tom in killing the guests of Haines, although, as the event proved, he was unused to scenes of blood. If this were not so, why should he, who had never before engaged in any affair in which the life of an Indian was involved, now, in a time of profound peace, engage in an attempt to destroy two of the hated race, and one of whom was regarded with so much abhorrence, because he had shed the blood of two innocent and inoffensive girls ?
After conferring with Tom, Haines returned home, with the understanding that the Indian-slayer should follow in a day or two, and bring Shimer with him. Haines found Canope and his companion still at his cabin when he returned. Quick and Shimer reached the Eddy a day or two after Haines got there. They found the latter and the Indians in the cabin waiting for their morning meal to be cooked by the " woman of the house." Ben professed to be surprised at their coming, and greeted Tom as an old acquaintance, but gave him a fictitious name, so that the Indians, who had never seen him before, would not know who he was. After inquiring where they were going, &c., he invited them to eat breakfast with him, which after a little urging, they agreed to do.
While Ben's wife was " putting the dishes on the table," he filled a bowl with water, and taking it out of doors, put it on a stump a rod or two from the house. He then returned and told the Indians to wash themselves. They went out of doors for that purpose, and Haines had a brief opportunity to confer with Tom and Shimer. He told them that he would get the savages to go with him to the " fishing-rocks," to catch fish, and that the opportunity to shoot them from that place would be good, as there was a convenient clump 'of bushes close by, from which to fire. Tom expressed his satisfaction
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with what Haines had said- the Indians came back into the house, and all sat down and ate a hearty breakfast. Tom and Haines seemed to be perfectly at ease all the time, as if nothing more than usual was on their minds, while Cobe appeared to be somewhat disconcerted.
After breakfast, the new comers apparently renewed their journey up the river. They were soon in ambush, however, near the place where Ben said he would entice his proteges. It was not long after, that Huycon, Canope, and Haines, and a little son of the latter, came " to the rocks," and began to fish. Before Tom and his companion fired, it occurred to Haines that his son might be injured in the affray, and he ordered him to go home. Something in the manner of Haines caused the Indians to suspect his fidelity ; but he quickly quieted their suspicions, and they then continued to fish as before. Canope, having broken his hook, and none of the party being in possession of one to give him, laid down on the rocks near Shanks, with his head resting upon his hand and elbow. This was considered a favorable opportunity by Tom and Shimer, and they "took aim." Cobe, who was not used to such business, was greatly excited, and Tom declared after- wards, that his (Cobe's) hand trembled so, that he heard the barrel of his gun rattle against the log on which it rested.
They fired : Tom's ball passed through the hand and lower part of the head of Canope, wounding him dangerously. Shi- mer, as might have been safely predicted, did not hit Shanks. The wounded man ran to Haines and claimed the protection which had been promised ; but instead of granting it, the wretch seized a pine-knot, shouting, "Tink ! tink ! how you used to kill the white folks. 'Pent ! 'pent ! I'll send your soul to hell in a moment !" and then dispatched him by beating him on the brain.
Even Tom, familiar as he was with scenes of blood, was shocked at the perfidy of Haines. He came up as the latter
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was dealing out his blows, and exclaimed, "D-n a man who will promise an Indian protection, and then knock him on the head !"
Shanks, when he heard the report of the guns, jumped into the river, and pretended to be wounded and drowning, until. the current had carried him down stream a short distance, to a place where the bank was covered with bushes. Here he scrambled on the shore, and ran off limping, hallooing, and groaning as if in great agony. The ruse did not deceive Tom, however; who, finding that Shanks was travelling pretty fast for a man who was apparently so badly wounded, started in pursuit, loading his rifle as he went, and soon got sufficiently near to fire. At the moment he snapped his gun, Shanks looked back, and as Tom shot, fell. The Indian afterwards said that he dodged at the flash of his gun. Be this as it may, Tom did not hit him. A ball-hole was afterwards found through his blanket, but whether made by Cobe or Tom could not be ascertained.
After the last discharge of the gun, Huycon took to his heels in earnest ; and Tom found that his shanks were neither active nor long enough to overtake him. He returned to the "rocks," saying, " if ever legs did service, it was them."
Two weeks had elapsed since the Indian chiefs passed through Cochecton, when Shanks returned alone, "damning the Yankees for killing Canope," and swearing that they should suffer for what they had done. He was first seen at a house a short distance from Cochecton bridge, where he stopped to rest and get something to eat. While he was there, Mrs. Drake, whose father-in-law and first and second husbands were killed by savages and tories, came into the house. Almost immedi- ately after seeing the savage she fainted, so great was her dread of those who had slain so many of her near and dear friends. He was next seen by Mr. Joseph Ross, who invited him to tarry a while at his house ; but he refused to come near
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Ross at first, the bad faith of Haines having caused him to suspect every pale-face. He finally consented, however, to stay with Mr. Ross a short time. He was kindly treated by Mr. R. and his neighbors.
While here, his conduct afforded much amusement to the juvenile members of the family. Mr. Ross and his " hands," were hoeing corn, and every time they went to their work, Shanks accompanied them. As soon as he got to the field he selected the highest ground in it, and after glancing rapidly and suspiciously over the surrounding country, he seated him- self a la Turque, among the waving and rustling corn, where he remained out of sight fifteen or twenty minutes. He would then get upon the tip of his toes, " stretch his neck" upwards as far as possible, look around, as if expecting to see Tom, and then squat upon his haunches again. As long as he remained in the field he acted in this way. The boys could compare him to nothing but a rather vigilant and somewhat alarmed turkeycock. After remaining a day or two, he continued his journey homeward, to relate another great wrong committed by the white man. He left Ross, breathing threats of vengeance, and was ferried across the Delaware, at Equinunk, by Mr. Parks, who has already been mentioned.
The death of Canope was regretted by most of the frontier set- tlers, for many reasons. His murder was brought about by the blackest treachery, and in violation of a solemn treaty of peace, the strict observance of which was necessary to their safety. Nothing could justify the murder. It was known that others beside Tom were engaged in the transaction, and there was good ground for fear that the Indians would avenge his death, and in doing so, not discriminate between the bloody perpetrators of the outrage, and those who would have sheltered him from harm.
The Indians made a formal complaint to the government against Shimer, Haines, and Quick ; but it does not appear
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that the offenders were apprehended, or that any attempt was made to punish them. After waiting a reasonable time, the savages did what was quite natural on their part: they fell upon a couple of white men in the vicinity of Fort Pitt, and murdered them. A gentleman named Skinner, whose ancestors settled at Cushetunk nearly one hundred years ago, and whose possessions were extensive during the early days of the settle- ment of Cochecton, styles the murdered men "Uncle Ross and Cousin Cyrus." By this we are given to understand that the vengeance of the Indians fell upon men who had never treated the natives unkindly.
After this event, the fears of the pioneers gradually wore away; and finally they continued to fish, and hunt, and culti- vate their lands without apprehension.
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CHAPTER VIII.
Adventures and final settlement of Timothy Beach in Sidney-Remi- niscences of John Wickham, an early settler of Harpersfield-Names of early settlers-Privations to which they were subjected-Adven- ture of James Gordon with a bear, while crossing the Charlotte River-First Church in Harpersfield-Manner of its erection- Church-raising-Whipping-posts and stocks erected in Harpersfield -Other whipping-posts in the county-How Harper caught his wife-Persons punished by this ordeal-First settled minister in Harpersfield-Maple-sugar-making-Scotchman's idea of making maple-sugar-Information derived from Stephen Hait of Stamford -Settlements made in 1789-Information derived from David Squires-Discovery of and first settlement in Roxbury-Interesting information in relation to-Anecdotes-Information derived prin- cipally from Cyrus Burr-Early settlements in Middletown and Andes-Hall's adventure with Mr. Earl-His discovery that he had neighbors-Catamount-killing in Andes.
AMONG the early pioneers to this county after the close and succcessful termination of the Revolutionary struggle, was Timothy Beach and family, of whose toil and suffering, Priest, in his narrative, gives a life-like picture from the hero's own lips. Speaking of their removal, he says, Mr. Beach partook of the general impulse which at that period pervaded the sev- eral New England States, sold his farm which he had acquired after abandoning a sea-faring life, and prepared to remove to the wild banks of the Susquehanna-the hunting-grounds of the Delawares. But before he actually removed his family, he took the precaution to go and explore the lands of that river. On this journey, his eldest son, a lad of twelve years, accom- panied him.
After crossing the broken and wild region of country lying
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between the North River and the sea, they came to a place on the Hudson called Catskill, where a few families had already settled. At this place he entered the woods, with a view of crossing the Susquehanna to a place then known by the appel- lation of Wattles' Ferry, a distance of nearly one hundred miles. It was, however, considered dangerous to penetrate that distance without a guide, as there was scarce a trace of human industry to mark the way through an almost unbroken wilderness. He was so fortunate as to find a half-breed Indian, who knew the way, and was willing to become his conductor, appearing to be a fleet, shrewd, and intelligent native.
The land which he wished to examine in particular, belonged to Colonel Harper, who had, it is well known, taken an active part in the border warfare of Tryon County, and was situated somewhere near what is still call Oquago, an ancient Indian town. To this place the guide was to accom- pany him for a stipulated price.
They left Catskill and pursued their way on horseback amid the woods as far as Cairo, where were also a few families scattered ,along beneath the mountains, who had returned after, or been suffered to remain during the war, as all that region had been traversed by the depredating Indians and tories. From this place they pursued the Patawa trail, which lay through a wilderness of the most hideous description, but which is now thickly settled with enterprising farmers, mechanics, and merchants.
The first day after leaving Catskill they advanced to some- where near the present flourishing village of Osbornville, and, as near as can be calculated, a distance of twenty-five miles. Here they encamped for the night, having gathered grass for their horses on the margin of the head-waters of the Schoharie creek. Along this stream, from thence even down to a place called Break-a-bin, extended a gloomy gulf, then the haunt of wolves, bears, and panthers, as well as an abundance of deer
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and some elk. Beneath a huge clump of hemlocks near the creek they scraped away the bush, built a fire, refreshed them- selves from the contents of their provision-sacks, and drank from a small, green glass bottle filled with West India Jamaica, a necessary help-meet in those early times. They now addressed themselves to sleep beneath Heaven's canopy, so much of it as could be seen bending over the narrow opening between the hills which embrace the head-waters of that stream. It was near midnight, and the fire had gone out, excepting a few coals amid the ashes; when the shrill, but loud and terrifying scream of some animal, awoke the slumberers from their dreams. They listened, when again the sound struck the ear, though from another quarter, and somewhat nearer. The guide being an Indian, instantly knew what kind of an animal it was, and whispered, "a painter, a painter," meaning a panther. With its ferocious disposition, and the best manner of encountering the animal, he was well acquainted, and therefore, seizing his rifle, examined the loading, and bid his companions be silent, but to cover the fire. During this time, the screams of the creature continued at short intervals, but still nearer. He said it was calling its mate on account of the scented game- themselves and horses-with the view of an attack by a leap from the projecting limb of some tree, or some favorable position from the ground. The agility of this animal is not equalled by any other that is known, being able to spring, when hard pushed, or frightened, nearly forty feet on a level. Its strength is amazing, as well as its ferocity and untameable- ness of disposition.
The Indian had directed Beach to have his rifle in order, as he might have use for it, although not much acquainted with its powers as a hunter. This being done, they listened in almost breathless silence with the expectation of hearing more yells, but in this they were disappointed, as no sound of the animal could be heard. As to this the Indian said in a whisper,
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so much the greater was their danger, as the animal was creep- ing towards them on its belly for a leap, unless it had entirely gone off. They waited, however, but about fifteen minutes, when there came suddenly on the stillness of the night, the continued bleat of a deer, together with the suppressed yells of some animal which had the mastery of it, and was rending it to pieces. Now was the time for the Indian, who instantly bent low down, and glided off in that direction, as silently as a spectre of darkness; while Beach, in the same manner, and as near as he could, followed after, but rather shyly, as he felt very reluctant about approaching too near the scene of action.
But a few moments had elapsed, while the feeble cry of the deer, still struggling with his enemy, was heard, when the flash and quick report of a gun gave notice that the crisis had . arrived. There was a rustling amid the leaves and dry brush, and the Indian stirred not till all was still, when he gave a yell such as the Indians give when a battle is won, and at the same time returned to the fire and reloaded.
They now gathered from the shaggy trunk of a yellow birch, which was growing near, an armful of its dry and pendant bark, of which they made several torches, and lighting one, ventured boldly to the spot, being assured by the Indian that all danger was over, and adding that he had put a bullet between the eyes of the creature. But this proved not exactly correct, as, on coming to the place, there lay stretched beside the deer, which was still bleating faintly, a panther of the largest de- scription, having a shot exactly opposite the heart, which was found, on examination, to have pierced the lungs. The deer they now put out of its pain, by dispatching it in as quick a manner as possible ; they then dragged the animal to the fire, but delayed skinning him till morning. Being so thoroughly roused by the incident just related, they felt no inclination to sleep, and so kept up a huge fire during the remainder of the night, and kept their courage strong by frequent draughts from 16*
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the green bottle of Jamaica. In the morning they skinned the panther, which measured eight feet from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail, and carried the skin with them as a trophy of the adventure ; but the deer they left as it was, except they cut a steak from its haunches, which they easily cooked over the coals for their breakfast.
But after the panther was killed, the remainder of the night was far from being silent, for the wolves had scented the blood of the conflict, and ran howling about till near daylight, and also the screams of another panther were heard, but at a greater distance. These voices were but sport for the Indian, which " he often imitated at the top of his voice, but effectually pre- vented their too near approach by the brightness of the fire, and the frequent shots of their guns.
Thus passed the first night of their journey in the woods. No other incident worthy of record occurred during the remain- der of their wilderness trip, although out several nights, except the sight of plenty of deer, and the howling of the wolves. When they were first awakened by the screams of the animal, they could easily have frightened it away, by firing their guns and rousing the fire, but the Indian wished an encounter, as he had no fears about its issue.
They at length came out at the desired place on the Susque- hanna, where the river is now crossed by the Unadilla bridge, which place was for a long time before and after, known by the appellation of Wattles' Ferry, from Sluman Wattles, an early settler, who kept a skiff for the accommodation of those who wished to cross or recross the Susquehanna.
From Wattles' ferry they pursued their way down the Sus- quehanna, toward the land of Harper; at sunset they encamped for the night on an eminence near the bank of the river, not far from Bainbridge. While preparing a place to sleep among the leaves and brush, they heard below a splash in the water, which very much frightened them, not knowing from what
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cause it might proceed. But presently a small batteau made its appearance, owned and manned by a man named Herrick, who had been down the river on an exploring tour. Here they all encamped for the night, and in the morning an ex- change was made of one of Mr. Beach's horses for Herrick's boat and provisions, Herrick paying the difference. In this boat, himself and son glided swiftly down the stream, while the guide, mounted upon the remaining horse, kept pace along the shore. .
The second day after their encampment at Bainbridge, the guide proved treacherous, not meeting him according to agree- ment. This circumstance, and a singular dream in which his father appeared to him two nights in succession, saying to him in an earnest and impressive manner, " Timothy, go back, go back!" induced him to give over the project of settling at Oquago, and locate farther' up the river. He accordingly commenced setting his skiff up the river with a pole, on his return towards the ferry. The second day had nearly worn away in toiling up the rapid stream, when all at once the guide presented himself upon the bank of the stream, and uttered a loud and horrid yell, which reverberated up and down the shores of the river with the most dismal echoes; but no Indians appeared with him. It was desirable, however, to ascertain if he had seen any during his absence, but to all of their inquiries the wily Indian gave surly and evasive answers. The truth now flashed upon the mind of Mr. Beach, that his life was pre- meditated, which was confirmed by questioning his son, of whom the Indian had learned that his father had a large sum of money in his possession.
The Indian, at the request of Mr. Beach, now hitched his horse to a tree, and came to assist in pulling the batteau up a steep rift, and when in the most rapid part, while struggling hard against the current, the Indian gave a loud whoop, which Beach knew to be a signal of some kind, according to the cus-
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tom of the Indians. In a minute or two, no less than six Indians rushed from the woods with drawn knives, and leap- ing into the water, which was not more than waist deep, nor that in many places, came wading toward the boat.
At this occurrence, the guide pretended to be much fright- ened, and urged Beach to take up his gun and fire' among them, well knowing that one shot would not kill them all, and that the survivors would make short work of him, when the money would sooner or later be obtained by himself, as he had not acquainted the Indians with this part of the booty. But there was his horse, his gun, ammunition, his clothes, and. a keg of rum they had purchased of Herrick with the boat. These were inducements of sufficient magnitude to persuade the Indians to commit the robbery, and, if necessary, a murder, while the guide had his eye upon the money alone. But Beach perceiving all this at a glance, instead of firing at them, met them at the side of the boat with a bottle of rum in his hand, saying in the most conciliating manner he could assume, " The war is now over-we will all be brothers-we will not fight, but be friends." " So we will," shouted one of their number, while the others appeared bent on mischief. He now instantly proposed that they should help push the boat up the swift current, without getting into it, then he would go on shore with them and have a good frolic all night. He, how- ever, was inwardly much terrified, not knowing how to escape. He tied the batteau to a convenient spot, filled a tin tea-kettle with rum and gave it to one of the Indians to carry, who marched off toward the spot selected for an encampment, fol- lowed by the rest of the Indians, guide and all, the boy ex- cepted, who curled down in the boat and kept himself still, and as much as possible out of sight.
The guide now, no doubt, considered his prize perfectly safe, as during the night his purpose could easily be effected, either by himself or some of the others. They now sat down in a
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ring on the ground, while the tin tea-kettle went rapidly round, as they each took deep and long draughts of the rum; the effects of which soon began to show itself by their yelling and leaping. At this moment, when they appeared to be wholly occupied with themselves and their freaks, he stepped to the boat as if to fasten it better, when he gave it a violent push out into the river, and leaping into it as he did so, shot over to the other side.
It was now nearly dark, as the whole transaction had taken place between sunset and twilight, and during the whole time a dense black cloud had been coming up from the south, which, just at the moment of his leaping into the boat, burst forth in a tremendous thunder shower, producing almost instantly, a total darkness. This, it is likely, was the only opportunity in which he could have made his escape, for in the uproar of their drunkenness and the thunder of the coming storm, they did not perceive his intention soon enough to prevent him, as they had no guns, or at least none had been brought to view as yet.
The storm increased, the lightnings flashed around, the thunder rattled terribly among the mountains-the darkness was almost palpable, while the rain poured down in torrents- all of which aided him exceedingly in his flight. They, how- ever, soon perceived that he had escaped, and as soon attempted to follow ; this they did a mile or two along the shore, which he knew by their yells, heard between the claps of thunder, but which soon died away, overcome by rain and rum. All night he continued to push his boat up the river, and at day- light found himself at the mouth of Carr's creek,* in the present town of Sidney. From this place he travelled through the' wet and dripping woods to the place where Unadilla
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