The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-04-12
From the Kentucky Gazette.
NOTES OFT KENTUCKY.

In the month of August 1886, Mr.. Francis
Downing then lad lived in fort, where
soon afterwards, an Ironworks was erected
by Mr.. Jacob Myers, which is known as
the Slate cpeek works. and owned by Col.
Thomas Dye Owings. 4
One morning young man by the name OF
Yates, together with Mr.. Downing, went out
in search q horse that had strayed away
from the fort. After travelling six or eight
miles in search of the horse, Downing be-
gan 10 be alarmed at the idea of danger
from Indians, and observed to Yates, (who
was much older than himself, and to whom
he locked Up for protection) that he thought
he heard noise like sticks cracking behind
them, Yates laughed at him anc told him
not to be a coward--tMat it was oHly his I'M
agnetiun, and that there was no danger
whatever. Downing, however, was not
convinced, but embraced the first favorable
opportunity tIfordcd him for conccalnent,
to step in a thick cluster Of whortclberry
bushes, while Yates went on. ln few
minutes an Indian was seen by Downing,
running towards him, until he was within a
bout one hundred yards, when he suddenly
stopped. Downing to use his own express
| ion, was as it were, Mtnder&trnck. He re-
solved however, as he had gun, to fire and
run, but unfortunately his gun having
double trigger, before he raised her to his
face, she went off, and, as he remarks, ne IN
stantly 7vent oftoo! After running some
distance, he met Yates, who having heard
the report of the gun, had turned to ascer-
tain what was the matter, and learning that
thev were closely pursued by Indians, they
ran together At length they reached de-
clivity, and we're compelled, in following the
path, to de scend into valley surrounded by
VILLA Iar fhav Indians. who
| had taken shorter route, and were running
| by another route towards the bottom OF the
! v lley There was no alternative; It was
absolutely necessary to keep the path and
to run with the utmost possible rapidity, al
though from the superior knowledge possess
ed by the Indians ofdfferent roads. they had
gained considerably on the pursued, and
seemed likely soon to overtake them. Both
parties ran on until they reached dry gut
ter in the middle of the valley. about six
feet deep, and Of considerable width. The
| Indians had, by this time approached very
near them, and attempted to leap across the
gutter at about the same time With the
whites. All got across safe except Mt u.
who Just reached the edge OF the gutter, "a
gainst which striking his foot, he fell upon
his breas, rebounded and fell backwards in-
to the gutter. The violence OF the fail al
most deprived him Of breath tor time, but
fortunately the Indians were too intent upon
the chase to observe his remaining behind,
and both happening to direct their attention
solely to MIR. Yates, continued to pursue
hin. Mr.. Downing at length recovering
from the shock, walked along IN the gutter,
which grew shalower as he advanced, and
soon ceased to serve the purpose OF conceal
ing him from the sight OF the lniians. At
length he discovered one of them returning
in search of him he instantly dropped his
gun. left the gutter, and ran back the same
wav he had come.--The injury he had re-
ceived from his fall, affected his speed, and
the Inlian gained upon him rapidly. After
running a considerable distance, considering
his case a desperate ono, and his being over
taken inevitable, he came to large poplar
tree, which had been blown down by. the
wind, II so happened that wh'lstHhe ran a.
long one side of the tree, the lndian pursued
him on the other. At this critical momcnt,
he felt himself caught by the leg, ana was
compelled to make momentary pause,
when he perceived that he had been stop"
ped by a small dog, which instantly ran q
way from him. This pause mac gwen 10
the Indian considerable advantage, and he
percejyed himself likely TO be caught at
the root of the tree. Mos' fortunately how
ever lust at that spot, a large she bear had
taken up her abode with several cubs. Not
being pleased with the violence with Which
the Indian approached her young, she IN
stantly attacked him, when Mr. Downing,
taking advantage of the interference OF TINS
unexpected coadjutor, suddenly wheeled
around, and left the savage engaged IN
most violent struggle with his new adversa-
nv. What was the result of the rencounter,
we are not informed. 1t had, however, the
happy effect of preserving Mr.. Downing
from almost inevitable destruction; and as
no remains of the Indian was ever alter
wards found, at or near the place, it is prop
able he escaped with his life, it not without
considerable injury.
Mr.. Yates likewise succeeded in getting
off unhurt. After running several miles, he
concealed himself amidst trees or in Cane
Drake, and he thus eluded the pursuit, and
returned home safe.
1t was custom with Mr. Downing, i'll the
summer, about the time referred to above,
to go out of the fort every afternoon, to
cluster OF hickory trees, several hundrea
yards distant, for the purpose OF shooting
squirrels, which at that place were very hu
merous.-Near his path, (as he afterwards
s:scovered) fifteen Indians lay concealed tor
three davs, behind large log, where they
had placed a number of bushes to serve as a
blind. there waiting for a favorable oppor-
tuntv to kill some one or more men, and Oh
tain y,luuder