USA > Ohio > Champaign County > The history of Champaign and Logan counties : from their first settlement > Part 17
USA > Ohio > Logan County > The history of Champaign and Logan counties : from their first settlement > Part 17
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
194
CHAMPAIGN AND
race, as they were on horseback and he on foot. The Indian force divided ; some rode on one side of the fallen timber and some on the other. Just as he emerged from the fallen timber, at the foot of the hill, one of the Indians met him on horseback, and boldly rode up to him, jumped off his horse and rushed at him with his tomahawk. Kenton concluding a gun barrel as good a weapon of defense as a tomahawk, drew back his gun to strike the Indian be- fore him. At that instant another Indian, who unperceived by Kenton had slipped up behind him, clasped him in his arms. Be- ing now overpowered by numbers, further resistance was useless- he surrendered. While the Indians were binding Kenton with tugs, Montgomery came in view, and fired at the Indians, but missed his mark. Montgomery fled on foot. Some of the Indians pursued, shot at, and missed him; a second fire was made, and Montgomery fell. The Indians soon returned to Kenton, shaking at him Montgomery's bloody scalp. George Clark, Kenton's other companion, made his escape, crossed the Ohio, and arrived safe at Logan's station.
The Indians encamped that night on the bank of the Ohio. The next morning they prepared their horses for a return to their towns with the unfortunate and unhappy prisoner. Nothing but death in the most appalling form presented itself to his view. When they were ready to set off, they caught the wildest horse in the company, and placed Kenton on his back. The horse being very restive, it took several of them to hold him, while the others lashed the prisoner on the horse. They first took a tug or rope, and fastened his legs and feet together under the horse. They took another and fastened his arms. They took another and tied around his neck, and fastened one end of it around the horse's neck; the other end of the same rope was fastened to the horse's tail, to answer in place of a crupper. They had a great deal of amusement to themselves, as they were preparing Kenton and his horse for fun and frolic. They would yelp and scream around him, and ask him if he wished to steal more horses. Another rope was fastened around his thighs, and lashed around the body of his horse ; a pair of moccasins were drawn over his hands, to prevent him from defending his face from the brush. Thus accoutred and fastened, the horse was turned loose to the woods. He reared and plunged, ran through the woods for some time, to the infinite amusement of the Indians. After the horse had run about, plung-
.
195
LOGAN COUNTIES.
ing, rearing and kicking for some time, and found that he could not shake off nor kick off his rider, he very quietly submitted himself to his situation, and followed the cavalcade as quiet and peaceable as his rider. The Indians moved towards Chillicothe, and in three days reached the town. At night they confined their prisoner in the following manner: He was laid on his back, his legs extended, drawn apart, and fastened to two saplings or stakes driven in the ground. His arms were extended, a pole laid across his breast, and his arms lashed to the pole with cords. A rope was tied around his neck, and stretched back just tight enough not to choke him, and fastened to a tree or stake near his head. In this painful and uncomfortable situation, he spent three miserable nights, exposed to gnats, and mosquitoes and weather. O, poor human nature, what miserable wretches we are, thus to punish and harass each other. (The frontier whites of that day were but little behind the Indians in wiles, cruelty and revenge.) When the Indians came within about a mile of the Chillicothe town, they halted and camped for the night, and fastened the poor unfortunate prisoner in the usual uncomfortable manner. The Indians, young and old, came from the town to welcome the re- turn of their successful warriors, and to visit their prisoner. The Indian party, young and old, consisting of about 150, commenced dancing, singing and yelling around Kenton, stopping occasionally and kicking and beating him for amusement. In this manner they tormented him for about three hours, when the cavalcade re- turned to town, and he was left for the rest of the night, ex- hausted and forlorn, to the tender mercies of the gnats and mos- quitoes. As soon as it was light in the morning, the Indians be- gan to collect from the town, and preparations were made for fun and frolic at the expense of Kenton, as he was now doomed to run the gauntlet. The Indians were formed in two lines, about six feet apart, with each a hickory in his hands, and Kenton placed between the two lines, so that each Indian could beat him as much as he thought proper, as he ran through the lines. He had not run far before he discovered an Indian with his knife drawn to plunge it into him; as soon as Kenton reached that part of the line where the Indian stood who had the knife drawn, he broke through the lines, and made with all speed for the town. Kenton had been previously informed by a negro named Cæsar who lived with the Indians and knew their customs, that if he
196
CHAMPAIGN AND
could break through the Indians' lines, and arrive at the council- house in the town before he was overtaken, that they would not force him a second time to run the gauntlet. When he broke through their lines, he ran at the top of his speed for the coun- cil-house, pursued by two or three hundred Indians, screaming like infernal furies. Just as he had entered the town, he was met by an Indian leisurely walking toward the scene of amusement, wrapped in a blanket. The Indian threw off his blanket; and as he was fresh, and Kenton nearly exhausted, the Indian soon caught him and threw him down. In a moment the whole party who were in pursuit came up, and fell to cuffing and kicking him at a most fearful rate. They tore off his clothes, and left him naked and exhausted. After he had laid till he had in some de- gree recovered from his exhausted state, they brought him some water and something to eat. As soon as his strength was suffi- ciently recovered, they took him to the council-house, to de- termine upon his fate. The manner of deciding his fate was as follows : Their warriors were placed in a circle in the council- house; an old chief was placed in the centre of the circle, with a knife and a piece of wood in his hands. A number of speeches were made. Kenton, although he did not understand their lan- guage, soon discovered by their animated gestures, and fierce looks at him, that a majority of their speakers were contending for his destruction. He could perceive that those who plead for mercy were received coolly ; but few grunts of approbation were uttered when the orators closed their speeches. After the orators ceased speaking, the old chief who sat in the midst of the circle raised up and handed a war-club to the man who sat next the door. They proceeded to take the decision of their court. All who were for the death of the prisoner, struck the war-club with vio- lence against the ground ; those who voted to save the prisoner's life passed the club to their next neighbor without striking the ground. Kenton from their expressive gestures could easily dis- tinguish the object of their vote. The old chief who stood to wit- ness and record the number that voted for death or mercy, as one struck the ground with a war-club he made a mark on one side of his piece of wood; and when the club was passed without strik- ing, he made a mark on the other. Kenton discovered that a large majority were for death.
Sentence of death now being passed upon the prisoner,
-
197
LOGAN COUNTIES.
they made the welkin ring with shouts of joy. The sentence of death being passed, there was another question of considerable dif- ficulty now presented itself to the consideration of the council ; that was the time and place, when and where he should be burnt. The orators again made speeches on the subject, less animated, in- deed, than on the trial ; but some appeared to be quite vehement for instant execution, while others appeared to wish to make his death a solemn national sacrifice. After a long debate, the vote was taken, when it was resolved that the place of his execution should be Wapatomika, (now Zanesfield, Logan county.) The next morning he was hurried away to the place destined for his execution. From Chilicothe to Wapatomika, they had to pass through two other Indian towns, to-wit; Pickaway and Maca- cheek. At both towns he was compelled to run the gauntlet ; and severely was he whipped through the course. Nothing worse than death could follow, and here he made a bold push for life and free- dom. Being unconfined, he broke and ran, and soon cleared him- self out of sight of pursuers. While he distanced his pursuers, and got about two miles from the town, he accidentally met some Indians on horseback. They instantly pursued and soon came up with him, and drove him back again to town. He now, for the first time, gave up his case as hopeless. Nothing but death stared him in the face. Fate, it appeared to him, had sealed his doom ; and in sullen despair he determined to await that doom, that it was impossible for him to shun. How inscrutable are the ways of Providence, and how little one man can control his destiny! When the Indians returned with Kenton to the town, there was a general rejoicing. He was pinioned, and given over to the young Indians, who nearly suffocated him with mud and water. In this way they amused themselves with him till he was nearly drowned. He now thought himself forsaken by God. Shortly after this his tormentors moved with him to Wapatomika. As soon as he ar- rived at this place, the Indians, young and old, male and female, crowded around the prisoner. Among others who came to see him was the celebrated and notorious Simon Girty. It will be recollected that Kenton and Girty were bosom companions at Fort Pitt, and on the campaign with Lord Dunmore. As it was the custom of the Indians to black such prisoners as were intended to be put to death, Girty did not immediately recognize Kenton in his black disguise. Girty came forward and inquired of Kenton
198
CHAMPAIGN AND
where he had lived, and was answered Kentucky. He next ill- quired how many men there were in Kentucky. He answered he did not know; but would give him the names and rank of the officers, and he, Girty, could judge of the probable number of men. Kenton then named a great many officers, and their rank, many of whom had honorary titles, without any command. At length Girty asked the prisoner his name, when he was an- swered, Simon Butler. (It will be recollected that he ehanged his name when he fled from his parents and home.) Girty eyed him for a moment, and immediately recognized the active and bold youth, who had been his companion in arms about Fort Pitt, and on the campaign with Lord Dunmore. Girty threw himself into Kenton's arms, embraced and wept aloud over him-calling him his dear and esteemed friend. This hardened wretch, who had been the cause of the death of hundreds, had some of the sparks of humanity remaining in him, and wept like a child at the tragical fate which hung over his friend. "Well," said he to Kenton, "you are condemned to die, but I will use every means in my power to save your life."
Girty immediately had a council convened, and made a long speech to the Indians, to save the life of the prisoner. As Girty was proceeding through his speech, he became very animated ; and under his powerful eloquence, Kenton could plainly discover the grim visages of his savage judges relent. When Girty concluded his powerful and animated speech, the Indians rose with one sim- ultaneous grunt of approbation, saved the prisoner's life, and placed him under the care and protection of his old companion, Girty.
The British had a trading establishment then at Wapatomika. Girty took Kenton with him to the store, and dressed him from head to foot, as well as he could wish; he was also provided with a horse and saddle. Kenton was now free, and roamed about thro' the country, from Indian town to town, in company with his ben- efactor. How uncertain is the fate of nations as well as that of individuals ! How sudden the changes from adversity to prosper- ity, and from prosperity to adversity! Kenton being a strong, robust man, with an iron frame, with a resolution that never winced at danger, and fortitude to bear pain with the composure of a stoic, he soon recovered from his scourges and bruises, and the
199
LOGAN COUNTIES.
other severe treatment he had received. It is thought probable, that if the Indians had continued to treat him with kindness and respect, he would eventually have become one of them. He had but few inducements to return again to the whites. He was then a fugitive from justice, had changed his name, and he thought it his interest to keep as far from his former acquaintances as pos- sible. After Kenton and his benefactor had been roaming about for some time, a war party of Indians, who had been on an expe- dition to the neighborhood of Wheeling, returned ; they had been defeated by the whites, some of their men were killed, and others wounded. When this defeated party returned they were sullen, chagrined, and full of revenge, and determined to kill any of the whites who came within their grasp. Kenton was the only white man upon whom they could satiate their revenge. Kenton and Girty were then at Solomon's town, a small distance from Wapa- tomika. A message was immediately sent to Girty to return, and bring Kenton with him. The two friends met the messenger on their way. The messenger shook hands with dirty, but refused the hand of Kenton. Girty, after talking aside with the messen- ger some time, said to Kenton, "They have sent for us to attend a grand council at Wapatomika. They hurried to the town; and when they arrived there the council-house was crowded. When Girty went into the house, the Indians all rose up and shook hands with him ; but when Kenton offered his hand, it was refused with a scowl of contempt. This alarmed him; he began to admit the idea that this sudden convention of the council, and their refusing his hand, boded him some evil. After the members of the council were seated in their usual manner, the war chief of the defeated party rose up and made a most vehement speech, frequently turn- ing his fiery and revengeful eyes on Kenton during his speech. Girty was the next to rise and address the council. He told them that he had lived with them several years ; that he had risked his life in that time more frequently than any of them ; that they all knew that he had never spared the life of one of the hated Amer- icans ; that they well knew that he had never asked a division of the spoils ; that he fought alone for the destruction of their ene- mies ; and he now requested them to spare the life of this young man on hisaccount. The young man, he said, was his early friend, for whom he felt lhe tenderness of a parent for a son, and he hoped, after the many evidences that he had given of his attach-
200
CHAMPAIGN AND
ment to the Indian cause, they would not hesitate to grant his re- quest. If they would indulge him in granting his request to spare the life of this young man, he would pledge himself never to ask them again to spare the life of a hated American.
Several chiefs spoke in succession on this important subject ; and with the most apparent deliberation, the council decided, by an overwhelming majority, for death. After the decision of this great court was announced, Girty went to Kenton, and embracing him very tenderly, said that he very sincerely sympathized with him in his forlorn and and unfortunate situation ; that he had used all the efforts he was master of to save his life, but it was now decreed that he must die-that he could do no more for him. Awful doom !
It will be recollected, that this was in 1778, in the midst of the American revolution. Upper Sandusky was then the place where the British paid their western Indian allies their annuities ; and as time might effect what his eloquence could not, Girty, as a last re- sort, persuaded the Indians to convey their prisoner to Sandusky, as there they would meet vast numbers to receive their presents ; that the assembled tribes could there witness the solemn scene of the death of the prisoner. To this proposition the council agreed ; and the prisoner was placed in the care of five Indians, who forth- with set off for Upper Sandusky. What windings, and twistings, and turnings, were seen in the fate of our hero.
As the Indians passed from Wapatomika to Upper Sandusky, they went through a small village on the river Scioto, where then resided the celebrated chief, Logan, of Jefferson memory. Logan, unlike the rest of his tribe, was humane as he was brave. At his wigwam the party who had the care of the prisoner, staid over night. During the evening, Logan entered into conversation with the prisoner. The next morning he told Kenton that he would detain the party that day-that he had sent two of his young men off the night before to Upper Sandusky, to speak a good word for him. Logan was great and good-the friend of all men. In the course of the following evening his young men retu.ned, and early the next morning the guard set off with the prisoner for Upper Sandusky. When Kenton's party set off from Logan's, Logan shook hands with the prisoner, but gave no intimation of what might probably be his fate. The party went on with Kenton till they came in view of the Upper Sandusky town. The Indians
201
LOGAN COUNTIES.
young and old, came out to meet and welcome the warriors and view the prisoner. Here he was not compelled to run the gaunt- let. A grand council was immediately convened to determine up- on the fate of Kenton. This was the fourth council which was held to dispose of the life of the prisoner. As soon as this grand court was organized and ready to proceed to business, a Canadian Frenchman, by the name of Peter Druyer, who was a captain in the British service, and dressed in the gaudy appendages of the British uniform, made his appearance in the council. This Druyer was born and raised in Detroit-he was connected with the British Indian agent department-was their principal interpreter in set- tling Indian affairs; this made him a man of great consequence among the Indians. It was to this influential man, that the good chief Logan, the friend of all the human family, sent his young men to intercede for the life of Kenton. His judgment and address were only equaled by his humanity. His foresight in selecting the agent who it was most probable could save the life of the pris- oner, proves his judgment and his knowledge of the human heart. As soon as the grand council was organized, Capt. Druyer requested permission to address the council. This permission was instantly granted. He began his speech by stating, "that it was well-known that it was the wish and interest of the English that not an Amer- ican should be left alive. That the Americans were the cause of the present bloody and distressing war-that neither peace nor safety could be expected, so long as these intruders were permitted to live upon the earth." This part of his speech received repeated grunts of approbation. He then explained to the Indians, "that the war to be carried on successfully, required cunning as well as bravery-that the intelligence which might be extorted from a prisoner, would be of more advantage, in conducting the future op- erations of the war, than would be the life of twenty prisoners. That he had no doubt but the commanding officer at Detroit could procure information from the prisoner now before them, that would be of incalculable advantage to them in the progress of the present war. Under these circumstances, he hoped they would defer the death of the prisoner till he was taken to Detroit, and examined by the commanding general. After which he could be brought back, and if thought advisable, upon further consideration, he might be put to death in any manner they thought proper." He next noticed, "that they had already a great deal of trouble and
15
202
CHAMPAIGN AND
fatigue with the prisoner without being revenged upon him ; but that they had got back all the horses the prisoner had stolen from them, and killed one of his comrades; and to insure them some- thing for their fatigue and trouble, he himself would give $100 in rum and tobacco, or any other articles they would choose, if they would let him take the prisoner to Detroit, to be examined by the British general." The Indians, without hesitation, agreed to Cap- tain Druyer's proposition, and he paid down the ransom. As soon as these arrangements were concluded, Druyer and a principal chief set off with the prisoner for Lower Sandusky. From this place they proceeded by water to Detroit, where they arrived in a few days. Here the prisoner was handed over to the commanding officer, and lodged in the fort as a prisoner of war. He was now out of danger from the Indians, and was treated with the usual at- tention of prisoners of war in civilized countries. The British com- mander gave the Indians some additional remuneration for the life of the prisoner, and they returned satisfied to join their country- men at Wapatomika.
As soon as Kenton's mind was out of suspense, his robust consti- tution and iron frame in a few days recovered from the severe treatment they had undergone. Kenton remained at Detroit until the June following, when he, with other prisoners, escaped, and after enduring great privations, rejoined their friends.
About the year 1802, he settled in Urbana, where he remained some years and was elected brigadier-general of militia. In the war of 1812, he joined the army of Gen. Harrison, and was in the battle of the Moravian town, where he displayed his usual intre- pidity. About the year 1820, he moved to the head of Mad river. A few years after, through the exertions of Judge Burnet and Gen- eral Vance, a pension of $20 per month was granted to him, which secured his declining age from want. He died in 1836, at which time he had been a member of the Methodist church about 18 years. The frost of more than eighty winters had fallen on his head without entirely whitening his looks. His biographer thus de- scribes his personal appearance and character :
General Kenton was of fair complexion, six feet one inch in height. He stood and walked very erect ; and, in the prime of life, weighed about one hun Ired and ninety pounds. He never was inclined to be corpulent, although of sufficient fullness to form
203
LOGAN COUNTIES.
a graceful person. He had a soft, tremulous voice very pleasing to the hearer. He had laughing gray eyes, which appeared to fasci- nate the beholder. He was a pleasant, good-humored and obliging companion. When excited, or provoked to anger (which was sel- dom the case,) the fiery glance of his eye would almost curdle the blood of those with whom he came in contact. His rage when roused was a tornado. In his dealing he was perfectly honest ; his confi- dence in man, and his credulity, were such, that the same man might cheat him twenty times ; and if he professed friendship, he might cheat him still.
204
CHAMPAIGN AND
JONATHAN ALDER.
Jonathan Alder was born in New Jersey, about eight miles from Philadelphia, September 17, 1773. 'Vhen at about the age of sev- en years, his parents removed to Wythe county, Va., and his father soon after died.
In the succeeding March, (1782,) while out with his brother David, hunting for a mare and her colt, he was taken prisoner by a small party of Indians. His brother, on the first alarm, ran, and was pursued by some of the party. "At length, says Alder, "I saw them returning, leading; my brother, while one was holding the handle of a spear, that he had thrown at him and run into his body. As they approached, one of them stepped up and grasped him around the body, while another pulled out the spear. I ob- served some flesh on the end of it, which looked white, which I supposed came from his entrails. I moved to him, and inquired if he was hurt, and he replied that he was. These were the last words that passed between us. At that moment he turned pale and began to sink, and I was hurried on, and shortly afterward saw one of the barbarous wretches coming up with the scalp of my brother in his hand, shaking off the blood.
The Indians having also taken prisoner a Mrs. Martin, a neigh- bor to the Alder's, with her young child, aged about four or five years, retreated towards their towns. Their route lay through the woods to the Big Sandy, down that stream to the Ohio, which they crossed, and from thence went overland to the Scioto, near Chilli- cothe, and so on to a Mingo village on Madriver.
Finding the child of Mrs. Martin burdensome, they soon killed and scalped it. The last member of her family was now destroyed, and she screamed in agony of grief. Upon this, one of the Indians caught her by the hair, and drawing the edge of his knife across her forehead cried, "sculp! sculp!"' with the hope of stilling her cries. But, indifferent to life, she continued her screams, when they procured some switches, and whipped her until she was
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.