Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 5

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930

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Much as the physical happiness of man has been augmented by civilization, how far has his moral state received improvement from the augmentation of his science and civilization ? Have they made his heart the better? Have they taught him the noble philanthropy of the good Samaritan ? Or has he only exchanged the ferocity of the savage for the cunning of the sharper? Are the vices of our nature diminished in force, or

as to attain their objects with greater effect and on a broader scale? Have the political institutions of the world become sources of freedom, peace and good will to the people ? Let the boasted regions of our forefathers, enlightened Europe, answer the inquiry. There legal contributions, insupportable in their amount, induce all the miseries of pauperism; royal ambition presents its mil- lions of subjects to the deadly machinery of modern warfare; but are the valiant dead honored with a monument of their existence and bravery? No! That insatiable avarice which knows nothing sacred, makes a traffic of their bones, while the groaning engine con- verts them to powder to furnish manure for an unfriendly soil. If this is civilization, pray what is barbarism ?

A veneration for antiquity seems to be natural to man; hence we consider as bar- barians those who demolish the relics of antiquity. We justly blame the Turks for burning the fine marble columns of ancient Greece into lime; but do we display a juster taste, with regard to the only relics with which our country is honored ? When those relies have disappeared, and nothing but their history shall remain, will not future genera- tions pronounce us barbarians for having demolished them ? Those venerable sepulchral mounds ought to be religiously preserved, and even planted with evergreens. They would figure well in our graveyards, public squares and public walks; but what is likely to be their fate? If in fields, for the sake of a few additional ears of corn or sheaves of wheat, they are plowed down; if within the limits of a town, demolished to afford a site for a house or garden, or to fill up some sunken spot, while the walls which inclosed the towns or forts of the ancients are made into brick. Such is man. Such are the en- lightened Americans!

CHAPTER III

EARLY SETTLERS

Without doubt the first white settler of a half acre of ground and had a fine block- Indiana county was George Findley, who had house within the inclosure. In any case of actual attack by the Indians, the women and

migrated to the Pumroy and Wilson settle- ment, or what is now Derry township, West- children were placed in the lower story, while moreland county, in 1764. The next year he the men proceeded above, and from the port- holes the trusty rifles made havoc with the brutal foe. selected the tract afterwards occupied by his grandson, George Findley Mathews, in East Wheatfield township, near the present town The early pioneers were exposed to con- stant peril from the Indians. Although they lived in times of comparative peace, the treachery of the red man was too well known to permit them to be caught unprepared for an attack. The Indians generally made their raids in the fall of the year. During harvest time they often became very troublesome. They lurked in the woods, and cut off the un- suspecting settler when he least apprehended danger. The pioneers plowed and reaped with rifle in hand. One of the old pioneers used to relate how he stood with his rifle in hand, while his wife brought water from the spring. After the French and Indian war, in 1763, the Indians were not so hostile as when incited by the French. But when the Revolutionary war broke out, being urged by Great Britain, they attacked the settlers with ruthless and constant barbarity. William Findley, author of a history of Western Pennsylvania, speaking of this period, says: "During the whole time of the Revolutionary War, and for some time after it ceased, the country was cruelly wasted by perpetual savage depredations." of Cramer, Indiana Co., Pa. This selection was made by a tomahawk, but these tomahawk rights were as valid in those days as the more cumbersome surveys of later dates. His visits to his land were as frequent and his stay as long as the troublesome times would permit, and when the Revolutionary war began he had a clearing of about ten acres, and a rude cabin for his bride, whom he had married in Maryland, not far from Hagerstown, in 1776. In 1784 he again returned to his improve- ment, and continued his residence there, though repeatedly forced to seek shelter at Fort Ligonier, or Palmer's Fort. His home was spoken of, May 29, 1769, as the "Findley Cabbins," in some of the application war- rants of that year. There were many early settlers whose graves were scattered in out- of-the-way places through the township, of whom no account is given except that they were pioneers. William Clark was mentioned as prominent among the pioneers. His im- provement was not surveyed till June 22, 1776, and is described as situated on the "path" between Conemaugh and Blacklick adjoining George Findley, and including Wipey's "Cabbin" (Wipey was a peaceful Delaware Indian who was murdered by the whites).

In the month of May, 1772, Fergus Moor- head, his wife and three children, his two brothers, Samuel and Joseph, James Kelly, James Thompson and a few others, bid fare- well to their friends in Franklin county, and set out on their journey to the "Indian Country" west of the Alleghenies. Though the prospects of acquiring extensive posses-

Wallace's Fort, erected in 1764 or 1765, Gilson's Fort near New Derry, and Craig's Fort on the Loyalhanna, were the resort of the fleeing inhabitants when the alarm signal of three rapid shots told that the red face sions and wealth for themselves and posterity was nigh. The Wallace Fort contained about might buoy up the adventurous spirits of the

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

three brothers, it may well be imagined that Mrs. Moorhead left home and all endearments with a heavy heart. But being a woman pos- sessing great energy of character, as is shown in the sequel, and touched, perhaps, with that romantie spirit peculiar to that period of which we are writing, she pressed forward with a firm step and a resolute heart, deter- mined to share with her devoted husband the dangers and trials of the wilderness.

placed the provisions necessary for the journey, his farming utensils and household effects. This was drawn by three good horses. His other live stock consisted of a yoke of oxen, two milch cows, several head of sheep and hogs, and a lot of fowls. The progress of the party was necessarily slow. The mil- itary road opened out some years previous, from Cumberland to Fort Pitt, was the only one that led at that time across the moun- tains, and was in many places scarcely trace- able, while it occasionally passed through swamps and ravines, and then again over roeks and along mountain slopes, so -as to render it almost impassable. But even this road, bad as it was, had to be abandoned, as its course diverged considerably from the point which the adventurers wished to gain. HIence they had to make their way. as best they could, through the wilderness. It would be useless to attempt a description of the trials, the hardships and the dangers to which the party were daily and hourly exposed. Beasts of prey were roaming on all sides, seeking an opportunity to devour them. The rattlesnake and copperhead lay coiled among the weeds and bushes, ready to strike the deadly blow. And, most dangerous of all, the war whoop which sounded from hill to hill, and echoed through the intervening val- leys, gave warning of the proximity of the savage, thirsting for plunder and for blood. Both night and day they were continually in peril. With nothing but the heavens for a covering they laid down at night to rest

reached their point of destination. Where the town of Indiana is now built, was the spot that had been selected for a settlement by Fergus Moorhead, who had made an excur- sion into this section in 1770. For some rea- sơn the party changed their determination, and located a few miles further west. Having sat themselves down in the forest, without house or shelter, and remote from the nearest settlement, we may readily imagine that their

Fergus Moorhead had a wagon in which he situation was far from being comfortable. The land afterwards owned by Isaac A. Moor- head was that which they selected for their future home. They naturally looked around to find a spot of ground on which to erect buildings that would answer their immediate necessities, and selected the site of the Isaac Moorhead house. On the next morning they commenced the work of building a cabin. They also built pens for their horses, cows, oxen, sheep, hogs and fowls. When the build- ings were completed they were once more en- abled to lie down, if not under their own "vine and fig tree" at least beneath their own roof, and enjoy the refreshing sweets of slumber. We next see them laying the "axe to the root" of the sturdy oaks of the forest and prostrating them with unsparing hands. They planted some corn and potatoes, for which they had cleared and grubbed a small patch of ground, and after this put another one in order for the garden. When this was completed. Joseph and Samuel Moorhead left their brother and his family to return home. By this time harvest was rapidly approach- ing, and it was necessary that provisions be collected for the stock the next winter. In this respect Fergus Moorhead was highly favored. The land subsequently owned by David Ralston, south of Indiana, was then partly clear of timber and brush, and elothed with a eoat of luxuriant grass, of which he ent a sufficient quantity to supply his animals during the whole winter.

During the summer he employed himself in clearing land for the purpose of raising grain. themselves, and forget for a few hours the The difficulties of a pioneer's life can only be fatigue of the day in the lap of "nature's apprehended fully by those who have had fond nurse, ealm sleep," while one of the party stood sentinel, not knowing what mo- ment they might be attacked by the wild beasts or the Indians. Frequently they had to halt and ent away logs and remove other impediments, and as there were no bridges, they had frequently to cross the streams at imminent risk.

such experience as this family had, and the hardships and annoyances are almost beyond human conception. They were encouraged with the promise made far back in the days that are numbered with the past, that "the desert places should be made glad and the wilderness to blossom as the rose."

The venomous reptiles and beasts of prey At the end of four weeks from the time with which the country abounded proved the they had left Franklin county the party greatest annoyance. It was almost impossible

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

to go beyond the cabin door without hearing the quick snap of the vicelike jaws of the wolf or seeing the subtle panther crouching on a neighboring tree, its fiercely brilliant eyes peering through the thick foliage, or the blood- shot eyes of the catamount glaring hideously from a neighboring thicket. It was not un- common to be confronted by a huge bear or two, that were at all times ready to greet the intruders with a friendly "hug." The cop- perheads and rattlesnakes were so numerous that, attracted by the shelter of the house, they would steal into it and secrete them- selves in the beds or any place that would afford them concealment. The cunning fox, too, could be seen loitering around, in con- stant readiness to commit some petty depre- dation.

The cattle were in constant danger of the most ferocious of these animals, and not in- frequently it was necessary to take the dogs and go to their relief. At night they were very much annoyed by attacks on the cattle or sheep in their pens, and Mr. Moorhead would frequently be forced to arise and assist the dogs in driving them away. This was always attended with the greatest dan- ger, from the fact that the snakes were so numerous as to almost preclude the possibility of escaping unharmed. They were also in constant dread of the Indians, who, when the attention of the dogs was drawn to the nocturnal depredators of the cattle and sheep pens, might seize the opportunity to attack the family in their wildwood home.

He had brought with him a sufficient quan- tity of flour to answer his family's wants till his potatoes and corn would be matured and fit for use in the fall. He carried the corn to a mill on the Kiskiminetas, in what is now Westmoreland county, to be ground into meal. Here new difficulties had to be en- countered, inasmuch as he had to go the in- tervening distance between his house and the mill without the aid of a road, his course ly- ing through the woods, up hill and down dale; through brake, bush and swamp, his only guide the bright sun that shone in the heavens above him. At night he had to lie outdoors, and his horses had to content them- selves with such sustenance as the woods af- forded. The dangers of the day would only be supplanted by those of the night. We can imagine that his was "no very comforting condition," and the thought that his wife and three children were alone in the midst of the wild forest was not calculated to add to his peace of mind.

The wild game which abounded in the woods supplied him with all the animal food of which he was in need, but for salt, to- bacco, iron, clothes, etc., he had to return to Franklin county, and these articles had also to be packed across the mountains, on horse- back. This was no small undertaking for one man, nor was it unattended by great danger, for it required three or four weeks to make the journey. During all that time he would travel day and night, halting only long enough to permit his horses to graze on the grass that grew in the woods, which was the only food upon which they had to subsist, not knowing at what moment he might be killed by the In- dians, or devoured by some wild beast. The thought that his small family might be at the mercy of the savages, and that on his return he might find them murdered, his home burned, and his goods destroyed, was a source of infinite concern to him, and but served to urge him along the more speedily.

Under such difficulties and anxieties the Moorhead family lived for four years, from the time they left their home in Franklin county, and located in Indiana county, till the ever memorable year of 1776. Independence year was fraught with important national events and individual incidents. In that year the American colonies took active measures to shake off the "British Yoke," and the same year several engagements occurred on land and sea. The British employed all the In- dians that would engage on their side, to the number, as has been estimated, of about twelve thousand, but many small parties, acting as spies and marauders on the frontier, were not included in that estimate.

At this time of which we write Samuel Moorhead, who had been elected captain, was stationed (July, 1776) with a small company of backwoods militia at Kittanning. Being at- tacked with smallpox, he was unable to per- form his duty as an officer, and on this ac- count went to his brother, Fergus, and pre- vailed upon him to take command of the com- pany, while he remained with Fergus's family until he had recovered from his illness. He then went to Kittanning, where he and his brother passed the evening in talking about their family and friends, and planning how they would manage their business. It was decided that Fergus should return to his home on the following morning, in company with a soldier, named Simpson. A party of Indians who were lurking around the fort overheard the conversation of the Moorheads, and being familiar with the road Moorhead and Simp-

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

son would take in the morning -it being then

As the Indians crowded around him, Moor- known as the "Kittanning Path"-they se- head expected to be put to death at once, but creted themselves near it, on a hill, since called "Blanket Hill," about midway between Kit- tanning and Moorhead's, and there awaited the approach of their intended victims. Upon the arrival of Moorhead and Simpson, who, son and the two horses on the spot, and before

they offered him no violence, and entertained the war party with great hospitality. Here they remained two nights and a day, and, leaving early in the morning after the second night, traveled about forty miles, and in the though on horseback and armed, did not sus- evening reaching an Indian village. Here pect an attack, the Indians fired, killing Simp- he saw the Indians for the first time perform several dances, one of which was the war Moorhead could get away they seized him and dance, from which circumstances he inferred made him a prisoner. After scalping Simp- son, they stripped off his clothes, and left his naked body lying at the side of the path, with the two dead horses. his hour was come, and that he was to be killed forthwith. But his apprehensions were happily unfounded, though he was compelled to pass through a trying ceremony. After The Indians ordered Moorhead to take off his boots and loaded the two saddles and bri- dles on his back and started with him into the woods, so as to evade pursuit, marching in single file and taking care not to trample down the weeds, in order to leave their trail as indistinct as possible. In this way they proceeded rapidly all day, and in the evening came to a halt to take supper, which consisted of the remains of a deer killed some days previous, and of a groundhog, which one of the party shot during the evening. Having finished the meal the party prepared for lodg- ings by gathering some dry leaves on which to sleep, and then made arrangements to se- cure Moorhead against escape during the night. They caused him to lie down and drove a stake into the ground on each side of him, and passed a long rope over his body, on each end of which an Indian lay. In this way they confined him each night during his cap- tivity. kindling a large fire the whole company, men, women and children, danced around it for a long time, and then formed into two lines, armed with hatchets, ramrods and switches. Having thus arranged matters, they called Moorhead to run the gauntlet, but as he had never before heard of such a ceremony he did not understand them. His captor endeavored to explain it to him, saying he was to pass through the two lines and receive a blow from each individual as he passed, and exhorted him to run his best, as the faster he ran the sooner the performance would be over. Moor- head entered upon the chase with the feelings of a man who supposed he was running for his life, and was severely switched along the line, three fourths of the way, when a tall chief, more devilish, if possible, than his com- panions, threw sand in his eyes, which added to his pain and completely blinded him. He tried, however, to proceed, but in his efforts to grope along, he was pushed about from one to another, and struck and switched, until two young warriors each took him by the hand, and ran with him into the wigwam, where he was quickly visited by his captor, who asked him if he felt sore. Moorhead replied that he felt very much hurt, and in- quired what he had done to merit such usage. The Indian told him that 'he had done no harm, but this was the customary treatment

On the following morning Moorhead was deprived of his clothes, and was forced to put on Indian dress. He was compelled, as the day before, to carry saddles and bridles, and to travel all that day and all the day fol- lowing, without eating anything. They took from him his tobacco, thus depriving him of what, under the circumstances, would have been to him a great luxury. After traveling about fifty miles over hills and rocks, through of their prisoners; that he had now seen all swamps and thickets, and crossing streams their ceremonies, and that in the future he would receive better treatment. and ravines, they reached an Indian camp. The Indian that shot Simpson, and the Moorhead was taken by his captors to Que- bec. On the way the party traveled very slowly, some days advancing but two or three miles. Relying entirely upon their success in hunting for means of subsistence, it may be readily understood they did not "fare sump- tuously" every day, but of what they had, the prisoner now always got his share. When they reached Quebec. Moorhead was sold to one who first seized Moorhead, fired their guns and raised the scalp halloo as they ap- proached the encampment. This was a long yell for every scalp that was taken, followed hy shrill, quick, piercing shrieks. These were answered from the camp by the discharge of rifles, and whooping and eries of joy. All rushed out to meet the approaching party.

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the British, and there kept in confinement for number were James Kelly, James Thompson, eleven months. From the British he received Moses Chambers, Colonel Sharp, Samuel and worse treatment than at the hands of the In- William Hall, brothers, the Walkers, Doties dians. His food was of the coarsest and most and others. unhealthy sort, the bread being dry and mouldy and the meat sour and at times almost putrid. From the second day of his captivity to the close his garments were neither changed nor washed. During all that time his hair was not eut nor combed, nor his beard shaved. At the end of eleven months he was exchanged and sent to New York.

From New York, Moorhead set out immedi- ately, on foot, for his former home in Frank- lin county. Though supplied with provisions, such was the reduced state of his health, in consequence of long confinement and ill treat- ment, that he was able to carry only a small stoek with him. He was obliged to stop fre- quently during the day to rest, and, as his journey was mostly through the wilderness, he had to sleep at night in the open air. At length his stoek of provisions was exhausted, and he was compelled to kill a dog that had followed him from New York, and subsist upon its meat. Even this unpalatable food did not hold out, and he lived for many days on frogs and fruits. So altered was his ap- pearance that when he reached his father's, in Franklin county, no one knew him.

From the day he was taken prisoner until his arrival in Franklin county he had not heard a word of his family, neither did his family know anything of his fate. Mrs. Moor- head had been left with three small children, and soon after her husband's capture gave birth to a fourth, which was one of the first if not the first white child born in the county, and was named by his mother Fergus, after the father. In the meantime one of the chil- dren had died of smallpox, and upon Mrs. Moorhead devolved the duty of placing her child in the silent grave. Shortly afterwards she was visited by her brother, who assisted her in boxing up and burying her provisions and effects, after which she accompanied him on horseback to her former home in Franklin county, where she remained till the unex- pected return of her husband; for all had given him up for lost.

In 1781 the Moorhead family returned to their home in Indiana county. The articles which had been buried were mostly in a good state of preservation. The live stock was gone, having most probably been killed by the In- dians. A number of families from the coun- ties east of the mountains came with Moor- head and settled in this vicinity. Among the

The first thing they did was to erect a fort or blockhouse near Moorhead's cabin (on the present site of the stone house, E. B. Campbell farm) large enough to contain all the families and their effects. Here they remained at night and also during the ensuing winter, con- sidering it unsafe to sleep in their cabins. They next betook themselves to clearing out farms, and worked alternately on each tract, so as to give each individual an equal chance with the others, to have his ground prepared for seeding in the fall. While the party was at work felling timber and clearing the ground, two or three men stood guard with loaded rifles, so as to give timely notice of the approach of danger, and be ready to re- sist an attack from the enemy. But fortu- nately the Indians did not trouble them.

In the course of a few years, the settlers became comfortably situated. They raised live stock and grain in abundance, engaged in domestic manufactures, and erected saw and grist mills, and soon became a thrifty com- munity. Their children grew up and settled on lands around them, and each year brought arrivals of new families from the East.

As the settlements increased, the Indians withdrew, and in a little over twenty years this section had been organized into a county, its seat of justice had been located, and its public buildings were erected.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 5

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930