USA > Ohio > Adams County > Caldwell's illustrated historical atlas of Adams County, Ohio. 1797-1880 > Part 5
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I am not sure whether It was the last of March or the first of April I came to the territory to reside ; but on the night of the 21st of April, 1791, Mr. Massic and myself were sleeping together ou our blankets for beds, when we had to move on the loft of our cabin to get out of the way of the flees nud guats. Soon after lying down I began to dream of Indians and continued to do so through the night; however, whether Mr. Massic waked himself or wether I woke bim, I cannot now say, but I ohserved ts him, "I did not 'know what was to be the conseqnonces for I lind dreamed moro abont Indians that night than in all the time I had been in the Western country before." As is common he made light of It and we dropped agaiu to sleep. He asked me the next morning if I would go with him up the river about four or fivo miles to' mako survey stating that Willlam Lytle, who was theu at the fort, was going along. We were both young surveyors and were glad of the opportunity to' practice. Accordingly wo three and James Lytle, of Kentucky, who was about huying the land, got on board of a canoe and was a long time going up, the river being very high at that time. We commenced at the mouth of a creck which from that day to this has been called . Donalson's creek. We had progressed about one hundred and forty or ono hundred and fifty poles when our chain hroko or parted, but with tho aid of a tomahawk, wo soon repaired it. We were then close to a large monnd and were standing in a triangle and Lytio an myself were amusing onracives, pointing out to Lytie the great conveniences be would have in building his honse ou that mound, when the one standing with his face np the river, spoke and said, "boys there are Indians I": "No," replied the other, "they are French- men."; By this time I said, "they were Indlans," and urged them to fire. I had no gun and from the advantage we had did not think ofrnuning until they started. The Indians wore in two small bark canoes aud where close into the shore and discovered us, jusl at the instant we saw them and before I started to run I saw one jump ou shore. We took out through tho bottom and before getting to the hill came to a spring branch. I was in the rear and as I went to jump something caught my foot and I fell on the opposite side., They were then so olees I saw no chauve of csenpe and.did not offer to rise. Three warriors first came auil presented their guus all ready to fre, but as I made no resistance they took them down and one of them gave me his hand to help, me up. At this time Mr. Lytle was about a chain's length before me and threw away his hat, one. of the Indlaus weut forward and picked it np. They then took me back to tho mouth of :in' river and set ine down while they put up their stuff and prepared for a march. While sitting ou the bank of the river, I conk! str the nien walking about the block house on the Keulucky sh ..... but they licard nothing ofit, the Indians went on rapidly that of .. . ing and encamped ou Eagle crock. We started next noruing carl : il was raining hard, and one of them sceing my hat was soll- what convenient to keep of the rain took it off my head and pil it on bis oww. By this time I djecovered some friendslilp in : very lusty Indian. I think it was the onethat first came up to me. I made sign to him that one had taken my hat. Ile went and took it off the other Indian's head and placed it again on: mine, but we had not gone far before they took It again. I com- plained as before, buemy friend shook his head, took down and opened bis budget and took a sort of a blanket cap ont aud put il on my head.
We went on and still it rained hard and the waters wer very much swollen, and when my friend dlacovered that I wus timorous, he would lock his arm in mine and lead me through. and frequently in open woods when I would get tired, I would do' the same thing with him and walk for nilles. They did uot make me carry anything until Sunday or Monday. They got into n. thicket of game and killed, I think, two bears and some deer. They then halted,. "jerked" theirment, ate a large portion, pocleil . some bark, made a kind of box, fluted it, and put it on me to carry. I soon got tired of it and then set It down. They raised a great langh, examined my back, applied some bear's oil to It and then put on the box again. I went on some distance and then threw
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
it down again. My friend then took it up throw it over his head and carried it. It weighed, I thought, at least fifty pounds,
While resting one day, one of the Indians broke up little stick- and laid them t., in the form of a fence, then took out a grain of corn. us carefully wrapped up as people use to wrap up quinies in olden times, This they planted and called "squaws," signifying to me that that would be my employment with the aquaws. But notwithstanding my situation at the time, I thought they would not eat much corn of my raising.
On Tuesday, as we were traveling along, there came to ns a white man and an Indinu on horseback. They had a long talk, aud when they rode off, the Inding I was with seemed consider- erably alarmed. They innmediately formed in Indinn ille, placed me in the centre and shook a war club over my head and showed me by gestures that it I attempted to run away, they would kill me. We soon after arrived at the Shawnee camp, where we con- timed until late in the afternoon of the next day.
During our stay there, they trimmed my hair to their own fashion, and put a jewel of tin in my nose, &c., &c.
The Judians met with great formality when we came to the camp which was very Mymeious. One side was entirely cleaned out for onr use and the party I was with, passed the camp to my great mortification, thinking they were going on. But on getting 10 the further end they wheeled short around nud enme into the ramp. They then sat down not uttering a whispher. In a few minutes two of the ohlest got up, went around, shook hands, came and sat down again. Then the Shawnees, rising simultaneously, came and shook hands with them. A few of the first shook me by the hand, but one refused and I did not offer my hand again, considering it no great honor. Soon after a kettle of bear's oil and some crackers were set before us and we began eating. They first chewing the meat then dipping it into the bear's oil, which I tried to be excused from, but they compelled me to it, which tried my stomach, although by this time hunger had compelled me to eat many a dirty morsel .-
Early in the afternoon an Indian came into the camp and was met by his party just outside, when they formed a circle und he spoke, I thought near an hour, and so profound was the si- lenco that had there been a board floor I thought the fall of a pin might he henrd. I rightly judged of the disaster, for the day bo- l'ore I was taken, I was at Limestone and was solicited to join a party that was going to the mouth of Snag ereck, where some Indian canoes were discovered hid in the willows. The party went and divided, some came over to the Indian shore and some remained in Kentucky, and they succeeded in killing nearly the whole party.
There was at this camp two white men, one of whom could swear in English, but very imperfectly, having, I suppose, been taken young. The other, who could speak good English, told me he was from South Carolina. Ile told me different names, which I have forgotten, except that of Ward. He asked me if I knew the Ward's that lived near Washington, Kentneky. I told him I dil, and wanted him to leave the Indians and go to his brothers and . take me with him. He told me he preferred staying with the In- dians that he might rob the whites. Ile and I had a great deal of' chat and disagreed in almost everything. Ile told ine they had taken a prisoner by the name of Towns that had lived near Wash- ington. Kentucky, and that he had attempted to run away and they killed him. But the truth was they had taken Timothy Downing the day before I was taken, in the neighborhood of Blue Licks and had got within four or five miles of their camp. Night coming on, and it being very rainy, they conelnded to camp. There were but two Indians, an old chief and son; Downing watched his opportunity, got hold of a sqnaw's ax, and gave the fatal blow. Ilis object was to bring the young Indian in a pris- ouer. Ile said he had been so kind to him he could not think of killing him. But, the instant he struck his father, the young man sprang upon his back and confived him so it was with difficulty .he extricated himself from his grasp. Downing made then for his horse and the Indian for the camp. The horse he canght and mounted, but not being a woodsman, struck the Ohio a little be- low the Scioto, just as a boat was passing. They would not land for him, until he rode several miles and convinced them he was no decoy, and so close was the pursuit, that the boat had hardly gained the stream when the enemy appeared on shore. He had severely wounded the young Indian in the scuffle, but did not know it, until I told him. But to return to my own narrative, two of the party, viz. my friend and another Indian, turned back from this camp to do other mischief, and never before had'I parted with a friend with the same regret,
We left the Shawnee camp about the middle of the afternoon ; they were under great excitement. What detniued them I know not, for they had a unmber of their horses up and their packs on from early in the morning. I think that they had at least one hundred of the best horses that Kentucky could ntlord. They valealated on being pursued and they were right, for the next day, the 28th of April, Major Kenton with about ninety men were at the camp before the fires were extinguished, and I have always believed it as n providential circumstance that tho one:, y bad departed, as a defent on the part of the Kentuckinns, would have been inevitable. I never could get the Indians In a position to ascertain their precise number, but concluded there
were sixty or upwards, as sprightly looking men as over I anw together, und well equipped as they could wish, for the Major himself agreed with me that it was a happy ciremstance that they were gone.
We traveled that evening, I thought, seven miles, aml en- camped in the edge of a prairle, the water a short distance off. Our supper that night consisteil of'n raccoon roasted undressed. After this meal I beemme thirsty and the old warrior to whom my l'riend had given me in charge illrecteil another to go with mne to the water, which made him angry. lle struck me and my nose bled. I ha.l a great mlnd to return the strike, but dhl not. I then determined, he the result what it might, I would go no further with them. They tied me and lid me down as usual one, of them lying on the rope on each side of me. They went to sleep and I to work gnawing and picking the rope (made of bark) to pieces, but did not get loose until ilay wa's breaking. I crawl- ed off'on my hands aml feet to the edge of the prairie, and sat down on a log to put on my moccasins, and had put on one, and was preparing to put on the other, when they raised a yell and took the back track, aml I believe they made as inneh noise as twenty white men could do. Huil they been still they might have licard me, as I was not more than iwo chain's length from them at the time. But I started and ran, carrying one mocensin in my hand, and in order to evade them chose the poorest ridges I could find, and when coming to free-logs lying crosswise, would run along one and then along the other. I continued on in thnt way until about ten o'clock. Then, ascending a very poor ridge, crept in between two logs, and being very weary soon dropped asleep, and did not awaken nutil the sun was alinost down. I traveled on a short distance further and took lodging for the night in a hollow tree. I think it was on Saturday that I got to the Miami. I collected some logs, made a raft, by peeling bark . and tying them together. But I soon found that too tedions, and abandoned it. I found a turkey's nest with two eggs in it, each one having a double yolk ; they made me two delicious meals for different days. I followed on the Miami until I struck the Ilamer's trace, made the previous fall, aml continned on until I came to Fort Washington, now Cincinnati. I think it was on Sabbath, the first day of May. I caught a horse, tied a piece of bark nround his under jaw, on which was a large tumor-like wart. The bark rubbed that and he became restless and threw me, not lirting me much, however. I caught him ngain and he again threw me, hurting me badly. Ilow long I lay insensible I don't know, but when I revived he was a considerable distance from me. I then traveled on very slow, my feet entirely bare, and full of thorns and briars. On Wednesday, the day I got in, I was so far gone that I thought it entirely useless to make any further oxertion, not knowing what distance I was from the river. I took my station at the root of a free thoroughly despondent, and got into a sinte of sleeping, and either dreamt or thought that I should not be loitering awny my time. However, the impression was so strong that I got up and walked on some dist nee. I then took my station again as before and the same thought occupied my mind. I got up and walked on. I had not traveled tar be- fore I thought I could see an opening for the river, and getting a little further on I heard the sound of a bell. I then started and ran (nt slow speed undoubtedly). A little further on, I began to pereleve that I was coming to the river hill, and having got about hull' way down I heard the sound ofun axe, which was the sweet- est music I had heard for many a day. It was In the extreme ont lot. When I got to the lot I crawled over the fence with ditlieul- ty, it being so high. I approached the person very cantiously nu- til nbout a chnin's length nudiscovered. I then stopped and spoke. The person I spoke to was William Woodward, the found- er of the Woodward High School. Mr. Woodward looked up hastily, cast his eyes around and saw that I had no deadly weap- on ; he then spoke, "In the name of God who are you ?" I told hin I hnd been a prisoner and had made my escape from the In- dians. After a few more questions, he told me to come lo him. I did so. Seeing my situation Ins fears soon subsided. lle told me to sit down on n log nud he would go and catch a horse he lend in the lot and take me in. He caught his horse, set me on him, but kept the bridle in his own hand. When we got into the road people began to enquire of Mr. Woodward, "who is he? an Indian ?" I was not surprised nor offended nt the inquiries, for I was still in Indian uniform, and bare headed. My mir was cut off' close to the sealp, nud fore top, which they had put up in a piece of tin, with a bunch of turkey feathers, which I could not undo. They had also stripped off the feathers of about two tur- keys and hung them on the hair of the sealp. These I had taken oll' the day I left them. Mr. Woodward took me to his house, 'where every kindness was shown me. They soon gave me other clothing. Coming from different persons they did not tit me very neatly ; but there could not be a pair of shoes got in the place that I could get on, my feet were so swollen. But what surprised me most was when a pallet was made down before the fire Mr. Wood- ward condescended to sleep with me. The next day soon utter breakfast Gon. Ilamer sent for me to come to the tort. I woukl not go; n second message enme. I still refused. At length Capt. Shamburg came; he plended with me ; told me I might take my own time and he would wait on me. At longth he told me if I would not go with him, the next day n ille of men would be
sput for, and I would then be compelled to go. I went with him : he was as good as his word, and treated me very kin Ily.
When I was nshered into the quarters of the Commander. I found the room full of people waiting my arrival. I knew none of them except Judge Symmes, and he did not know me, which was not surprising considering the ilx I was in. The General asked me a great many questions, and when he got through he asked me to tuke a glass of liquor, which was all the nid he offered. Meantime he had a miml to keep me in custody as a spy, which, when I heard it, raised my indignation. To think that the Com- mander of an American army should have no more judgment, when his own eyes were witnessing that I could scarcely go alone. I went out by his permission, and met Colonel Strong. Ile ask- ed me if I wns such a person ; I answered in the affirmative, and passed on. In going out of the gate I met his son. Ile recogniz- ed me at once, and after a few minutes chat he pulled a dollar out of his pocket and offered it to wie, saying it was all be had by him, but when I wanted more to call on him. I told him I did not think I should stund in need, people generally appeared so kind ; but he insisted on my'taking it, and I believe I brought it home with me, in the course of that ilay.
I got down to the river and went into the store of Strong & Bartle, men that I had done business for previous to the campaign. For three or four weeks I was busy making cut accounts and settlements. My office was a smoke-house about six or eight feet square, built of' boat materials, and stood I think a little above Main street. In the course of the day Mr. Collin Campbell came in, and Bartle asked him "if he knew me." Ile viewed me a con- siderable time, and answered no. He then told him, but he could hardly believe him. But when convinced, nothing would do but I must go home with him, to North Bend, that he might nurse
me up and send me home. We got down sometime in the night, and he had all his family get np and see what a queer man he und brought home. After sometime we got to bed and next morning just after daylight he enine up into my chamber, or rather a loft, and wakened me up. 1 begged of him to let me lay a little longer. No, I must get up, and he would have all who passed by to see me, nud wherever he went I had to go. I staid there about two weeks, gaining in health nud strength: every day. About this time there was a contractor's boat coming up the river. Ile hailed them, nud made arrangement for me to go up with them ; put up provisions for the trip, and done every thing that a near relative could have thought necessary. About the time I left the Bend some of the citizens professed to believe me a spy, and said that if I did not leave there they would, and that I was ouly waiting a thir opportunity to bring the enemy in upon them. As I did not want to break their peace, I thought it best to leave them.
When I got on the boat I found two persons with whom I was well acquainted. and was treated very friendly. Nothing particular occurred on the boat. When we got up to Limestone I was greeted by almost every man, woman and child, particular- ly those who had been under my tuition.
The Capt. Bartle above mentioned, was among the first set- tlers of Cincinnati. I had not seen Ium for forty years, until we met on the 25th of December, 1838, the time the pioneers were in- vited to the half centennial celebration st Cincinnati, We then met, and at his request lodged in the same room. We parted the next day. never more to meet in this workl. He was ninety-four years of age, and has since paid his last debt.
CAPTHER OF ANDREW ELLISON.
In the spring of 1793, the citizens of Manchester commeneed clearing the ont lots of the town, and while so engaged, an inet- dent of much interest and excitement ocentred. Mr. Andrew Ellison, one of the settlers, cleared a lot immediately adjoining the fort. Ile had completed the cutting of the timber, rolled the logs together and set them on fire. The next morning. a short time before day break, Mr. Ellison opened one of the gates of the fort. and went ont to throw the logs together. By the time he had finished this job, a number of the heaps blazed up brightly, and as he was passing from one to the other, he observed, by the light of the fires, three men walking briskly towards. him. This did not alam him in the least although, helsaid they were dark- skinned fellows ; yet he conelnded they were the Wade's, who -! complexions were very dark, going early to hunt. He continued to right his log heaps, until one of the fellows seized him by the urms, and called out in 'broken English : " How do : how do." Ile instantly looked into their faces, and to his serprise and hor- ror, found himself in the clutches of three Indians. To resist was useless, Hle therefore submitted to his fate with out and re-i-t- ance or attempt to escape.
The Indians immediately moved off with him, in the direc- tion of Paint ereck. When breakfast was ready, Mrs. Ellison seut, one of her children to ask their father home : hut he could not be found at the log heaps. His absence crented zo immediate ulurm, as it was thought that he might have started to hunt after the completion of his work. Dinner time.nerived, and Ellison not returning, the family became uneasy, and began to shapeet soms seeident had happened to him. His gun rack was exam- ined, and there hung his ritle and pouch in their usual plare. Massle raised a party and made a cirenit around the place, and
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY. OHIO.
bonel. after some search, the trails of four men, one of whom had on shoes : and as Ellison bad shoes on, the truth, that the lu- dian- had made himn'a pilsoner, was untohled. As It was nhinost night at the time the trail was discovered. the party returned to their station. Next morning early, preparations were made by Masie and his party to pursue the Indians. In doing this they found great difficulty, that it was so early in the spring that the vegetation was not of sufficient growth to show plainly the trail ot the Indians, who took the precaution Jo keep on hard and high ground, where their tect could make little or no impression. Massie and his jerty, however, were as unerring as a pack of well trained hounds, and followed the trail to Paint creek, then they found the Indians gained so fast on them, that pursuit was vain. They therefore abandoned it, and returned to the station.
The Indians took, their prisoner to Upper Sandusky, and compelled him to run the gauntlet. As Ellison was a large man, and not very active, he received a severe flogging as he passed Cong the line. From this place, he was taken to lower Sandusky, al was again compelled to run the gauntlet. He was then tak- en to Detroit, where he was generously ransomed hy a British .Beer for one hundred dollars. He was shortly afterwards sent to His friend, the officer, to Montreal, from whence he returned bonne bet'e the close of the summer of the same year.
DEATH OF .. SABEL EDGINGTON.
Another incident connected with the station at Manchester occurred some time after this event, which we relate in this place. John Edgington. Asahel, and another man, started out on a hunt- ing expedition towards Brush creek. They camped out six miles in a northeast direction from where West Union now stands, and wear where Treber's tavern stood, on the road from Chillicothe to Maysville. The Edgingtons had good success in hunting, having killed a number of deer and bears. Of the deer killeil, they say- ed the skins and hams, alone. The bears they fleeced ; that is, they cut off' all the meat which adhered to the hide without skin- ning, and left the bones as a skeleton. They hung up the pro- ceeds of their hunt ou a scaffold. out of the reach of the wolves and other wild animals, and returned home for pack horses. No one returned to the camp with the two Edgingtons. As it was late in December, no one apprehending danger, as the winter sea- son was usually a time of repose from Indians incursions. When the Edgingtons arrived at their old hunting camp. they alighted from their horses, and were preparing to strike a fire, when a platoon of Indians fired upon them, at the distance of not more than twenty paces. Asahel Edgington fell to rise no more. John was more fortunate. The sharp crack of the ritles, and the hor- rid yells of the Indians, as they leaped from their places of am- bush. frightened the horses, who took the track towards home at full speed. John Edgington was very active on foot, and now an occasion offered, which required his utmost speed. The mo- ment the Indians leaped from their hiding place, they threw down their guns and took after him. They pursued him, scream- ing and yelling in the most horrid manner. E:lgington did not run a booty race. For about a mile the Indians stepped in his tracks almost betore the bending grass could rise. The uplifted tomahawk was frequently so near his head that he thought he felt its edge. Every effort was made to save his life, and every effort was made by the Indians to arrest his flight. Edgington, who had the greatest stake in the race, at length began to gain on his pursuers, and after a long race, he distanced them, made his escape and safely reached home. This, truly, was a most fearful and well contested race. The big Shawnee chief, Captain .John, who headed the Indians on this occasion, after peace was made and Chillicothe settled, frequently told of this race. He said the white man who ran away was a smart fellow, that the "white wan run and I run, he run and run, at last the white man run . ar off' from inc."
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