The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 29

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1076

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boldly riding up, jumped off his horse and rushed at him, with uplifted tomahawk. Kenton, concluding that a gun barrel was as good a weapon of defense as a tomahawk, drew back his gun to strike the Indian, but at that instant another savage, who, unperceived by Kenton, had slipped up behind him, clasped him in his arms. Being now overpowered by num- bers, further resistance was useless, and he surrendered. While the In- dians were binding Kenton with tugs, Montgomery came in view, and fired at the savages, but missed his mark. Montgomery fled on foot, pursued by some of the Indians, who shot at and missed him; he fired a second time, and he 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 banks 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 drove and placed Kenton on his back. The animal being very unruly, it took several of them to hold him, while the others lashed the prisoner thereon. They first took a tug. or rope, and fastened his legs and feet together under the horse. They then fas- tened his arms, and passing another rope around his neck made him fast to the neck of the horse, while 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 among themselves, as they were preparing Kenton and his horse for fun and frolic. They would yelp and scream about 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 was then drawn over his hands, to prevent him from defending his face from the brush. Thus accoutered and fastened, the horse was turned loose in the woods. He reared and plunged, and ran through the woods for some time, to the infinite amusement of the Indians; but after he had run about, plunging, rearing and kicking, and at length discovered that he could not shake off or kick off his rider, he very quietly submitted himself to the sit- uation, and followed the cavalcade as quiet and peaceable as his rider. The Indians moved toward Chillicothe, and in three days reached that town. At night they confined the 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 uncom- fortable situation he spent three miserable nights, exposed to the weather, gnats, and every class of insects infesting the country. When the Indians came within about a mile of the Chillicothe town, they halted and camped for the night, fastening their unfortunate prisoner in the usual uncomfort- able manner. The Indians, young and old, came from the town to welcome the return of their successful warriors and to visit the prisoner. The In- dian party, consisting of about 150 persons, commenced dancing, singing and yelling around Kenton, stopping occasionally to kick and beat him for amusement. In this manner they tormented him for about three hours, when the cavalcade returned to town, and he was left for the rest of the night, exhausted and forlorn, to the tender mercies of the gnats and mos- quitoes.

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" As soon as it was light in the morning, the Indians began to collect from the town, and preparations were made for fun and frolic at the ex- pense of Kenton, as he was now doomed to run the gantlet. The Indians were formed in two lines, about six feet apart, each having a hickery wythe in his hands, and Kenton placed between the lines, so that each Indian could beat him as much as he thought proper, as he ran through the lines. He had not ran far before he discovered an Indian with his knife drawn to plunge into him; as soon as Kenton reached that part of the line where the Indian stood with the knife, 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 could break through the Indian line, 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 gantlet. When he broke through their lines, he ran at the top of his speed for the council-house, pursued by two or three hun- dred Indians, screaming like infernal furies. Just as he entered the town, he was met by an Indian wrapped in a blanket, and leisurely walking to- ward the scene of amusement. The Indian threw off his blanket; and as he was fresh, and Kenton nearly exhausted, the savage soon caught 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 lain till he had in some degree recovered from his exhausted state, they brought him water and something to eat; and, as soon as his strength was sufficiently recovered, they took him to the council-house to determine upon his fate. Their manner of deciding this was as follows: Their warriors were placed in a circle in the council-house; an old chief was placed in the center of the circle, with a knife and a piece of wood in his hands; then a number of speeches were made. Kenton, although he did not understand their lan- guage, soon discovered from their animated gestures, and fierce looks at him, that a majority of the speakers were contending for his destruction. He could perceive that those who pleaded for mercy were received coolly; but few grunts of approbation were uttered when such orators closed their speeches. After the orators ceased speaking, the old chief, who sat in the center of the circle, raised up and handed a war club to the warrior who sat next the door. They proceeded to take the decision of the court. All who were for the death of the prisoner struck the war club with violence against the ground; those who voted to save the prisoner's life, passed the club to his next neighbor without striking the ground. Kenton, from their expressive gestures, could easily distinguish the object of their vote. The old chief who stood to witness and record the number that voted for death or mercy, as one struck the ground with the 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 was not long in discovering that a large majority were for death.

" Sentence of death being now passed upon the prisoner, they made the welkin ring with shouts of joy; but there was another question of considera- ble difficulty now presented itself to the consideration of the council; that was, when and where he should be burned. The orators again made speeches on the subject, less animated indeed 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 executon should

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be Wapatomika (now Zanesfield, Logan County). The next morning, he was hurried away to the place destined for his execution. From Chilli- cothe to Wapatomika they had to pass through two other Indian towns, viz. : Pickaway and Mackacheek. At both towns he was compelled to run the gantlet, and was severely whipped through the course. While he lay at Mackacheek, being carelessly guarded, he made an attempt to escape. Nothing worse than death could follow, and here he made a bold push for life and freedom. Being unconfined, he broke and ran, and soon cleared himself out of sight of his pursuers. When he had distanced his pur- suers, and got about two miles from the town, he accidentally met some Indians on horseback, who instantly pursued, soon came up with him, and arove him back again to town. He now, for the first time, gave up his case as hopeless, and 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 seemed impossible for him to shun. How inscruta- ble are the ways of Providence, and how little can man control his destiny ! When the Indians returned with Kenton to the town, there was general re- joicing. He was pinioned, and given over to the young Indians, who dragged him into the creek, tumbled him in the water, and rolled him in the mud, till he was nearly suffocated. In this way they amused them- selves with their victim until he was almost drowned, and thought himself forsaken even by God. Shortly after this trying ordeal, his tormentors moved with him to Wapatomika.

"As soon as he arrived 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 im- mediately recognize Kenton in his black disguise. Girty came forward and inquired of Kenton where he lived, and was answered, Kentucky. He next inquired how many men there were in Kentucky. Kenton said 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, who answered, Simon Butler. (It will be remembered that he changed his name when he fled from his parents and home, after the supposed killing of his rival in the affections of a young lady, who lived in the same settlement.) Girty eyed him for a moment, and immediately recognized the active and bold youth, who had been his companion in arms in Fort Pitt, and on Lord Dun- more's campaign. 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 with 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

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with one simultaneous grunt of approbation, saved the prisoner's life, and placed him under the care and protection of his old companion, Girty.

"The English 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 through the country, from Indian town to town, in company with his benefactor. How uncertain is the fate of nations, as well as individuals! How sudden the change from adversity to prosperity, 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, soon recovered from his scourges and bruises, and the 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, as he was then a fugitive from justice, had changed his name, and thought it to his interest to keep as far from his former acquaintances as possible. After Kenton and Girty had been roaming about for some time, a war party of Indians, who had been on an expedition to the neighborhood of Wheel- ing, Va., 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 filled with revengeful feelings, and de- termined to kill any of the whites who came within their grasp. Kenton was the only white man upon whom they could satiate their revenge. He and Girty were then at Solomon's town, a short distance from Wapatomika, and a message was immediately sent to Girty to return, and bring Kenton with him. The two friends met the messenger on the way, who shook hands with Girty, but refused the hand of Kenton. Girty, after talking aside with the messenger for 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 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 turning 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 Americans; that they well knew that he had never asked for a division of the spoils ; that he fought alone for the destruction of their enemies; and he now requested them to spare the life of this young man on his account. The young man, he said, was his early friend, for whom he felt the tenderness of a parent for a son, and he hoped, after the many evidences that he had given of his attachment to the Indian cause, they would not hesitate to grant his request. If they would indulge him by 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

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majority, for death. After the decision of this grand court was announced, Girty went to Kenton, and embracing him very tenderly, said that he very sincerely sympathized with him in his forlorn 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.

"It will be remembered that, this was in 1778, in the midst of the American Revolution. The old Indian town of Upper Sandusky was then the place where the English 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 the prisoner to Upper Sandusky, as there would meet large numbers to receive their presents; that the asembled tribes could there witness the solemn scene of the prisoner's death. To this proposition the council agreed; and Kenton was placed in the care of five Indians, who forthwith set off for Upper Sandusky. What windings, and twisting, and turnings occurred 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 there resided the celebrated chief Logan, of Jefferson memory. (This village was in Hardin County, through which the Shawnee trace ran. See Chapter II, General History.) Logan, unlike the rest of his tribe, was humane as he was brave. At his wigwam, the party who had care of the prisoner, staid over night, and 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 off two of his young men 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 returned, and early the next morning the guard set off with the prisoner for Upper Sandusky. When Kenton's party set off from Logan's village, 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, young and old, came out to meet and welcome the warriors, and view the prisoner. Here he was not compelled to run the gantlet. (This is evidently a mistake, for we read in Howe's 'Historical Collections,' page 555, the following communication from Maj. James Galloway, of Xenia, who in January, 1827, traveled over the route with Simon Kenton. He says: 'While traveling through the Sandusky plains, Kenton recognized at the distance of half a mile, the identical grove in which he had run the gantlet, in the war of the Revolution, forty-nine years before (1778). A further examination tested his recollection, for there was the very race- path still existing, in which he had ran. It was near a road leading from Upper Sandusky to Bellefontaine, eight or ten miles from the former. I expressed my surprise at his remembering it. "Ah!" replied he, "I had a good many reasons laid on my back to recollect it. ") ' A grand council was immediately convened to determine upon 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 un- iform, made his appearance in the council. This Druyer was born and raised in Detroit-he was connected with the English Indian Agent Depart- ment-was their principal interpreter in settling Indian affairs; this made him a man of great consequence among the Indians. It was this influen - tial man, that the good chief Logan, the friend of all the human family,

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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 prisoner, proves his judgement and knowledge of the human heart.

" As soon as the grand council was organized, Capt Druyer requested permission to address it, which 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 American should be left alive. That the Amer - icans were the cause of the present bloody and distressing war-that neither peace nor safety could be expected, as long at these intruders were per- mitted 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 ad- vantage in conducting the future operations of the war, than would be the lives 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, "they already had a great deal of trouble 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 something 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 pris- oner to Detroit to be examined by the British General." The Indians without hesitation agreed to Capt. 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 (now Fremont, Sandusky County). 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 war. He was now out of danger from the Indians, and was treated with the usual attention of prisoners of war in civilized countries. The British commander gave the Indians some additional remuneration for the life of Kenton, and they returned satisfied to join their countrymen at Wakatomika.

"As soon as Kenton's mind was out of suspense, his robust constitution and iron frame recovered in a few days from the severe treatment they had undergone. Kenton remained at Detroit until June, 1779, when he, with other prisoners, escaped, and, after enduring great privations, rejoined his friends." Such is the story of the capture and captivity of this noted frontiersman during the Revolutionary war, when the colonies were fighting for independence, and American liberty had not yet been attained.

CAPTURE AND ESCAPE OF DR. JOHN KNIGHT.

The next event connected with the early history of the territory com- posing Hardin County occurred in June, 1782. In Chapter II we have briefly narrated the campaign of Col. William Crawford, together with his capture and subsequent terrible death at the stake. We have also mentioned

BJ. Cessna

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the capture and escape of Dr. John Knight; but as the latter circumstance occurred upon the soil of Hardin County, we feel it a duty to give more fully the particulars connected therewith. The night of the final flight and defeat of Crawford's army, the Colonel, missing his son and son-in-law, John Crawford and Maj. Harrison, also his nephews, Maj. Rose and Will- iam Crawford, halted as the line passed on to see if they were safe. He was thus left far in the rear of his men, but fell in with Dr. Knight and two others who had also become separated from the main body of the army. They traveled in a northerly direction to avoid the Indians, and then turning east, crossed the Sandusky River, and continued their flight, overtaking a part of the fleeing soldiers, with whom he and Dr. Knight traveled until near what is now Leesville, Crawford County, where they fell into an Indian ambuscade, and were compelled to surrender. They were finally conducted to Upper Sandusky (Old Town), where they were detained a short time, painted a black color, and then conducted across the plains to the Big Tymochtee, where Crawford was burned at the stake. Af- ter the execution, Knight was conducted to the Delaware town, bound and detained until the next morning, when he was given in charge of an Indian whose name was Tutelu, a rough-looking fellow, and again painted black. They started for the Shawnee towns, which the Indian said were somewhat less than forty miles away. Tutelu was on horseback and drove Knight before him. The latter pretended he was ignorant of the death he was to die-though Simon Girty had told him he was to die-affected as cheer- ful a countenance as possible, and asked the savage if they were not to live together as brothers in one house when they should get to the town. Tutelu seemed well pleased, and said "yes." He then asked Knight if he could make a wigwam. Knight told him he could. He then seemed more friendly. The route taken by Tutelu and Knight was the Indian trace leading from the Delaware town to Wakatomika, and ran some six or eight miles west of what is now Upper Sandusky. Its direction was southwest from Pipetown to the Big Tymochtee. They traveled, as near as Knight could judge, the first day about twenty-five miles. The Doctor was then informed that they would reach Wakatomika the next day a little before noon. Tutelu again tied Knight, and both laid down to rest. The Doctor often attempted to untie himself, during the night, but the Indian was very watchful and scarcely closed his eyes, so that he did not succeed in loosening the tugs with which he was bound. At daybreak Tutelu got up and untied the Doctor. They had built a fire near which they slept. Te-

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 29

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1076

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1076