Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-10-27
From the Morrstown Jerseyman.
WONDERFUL ESCAPE FROM INDIANS.
AN HISTORICAL NARRATIVE.

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AN HISTORICAL NARRATIVE.
! James Morgan a native Of Maryland. married
at an early age, and soon after settled near bry-
ants Station, in the wids Of Kentucky Like
some pioneers of the west, he had cut down the
cane, built cabin, deadened tho timber, Ell.
closed field with worm fence, and planted
Some corn.
I 1t was on the 18th Of August, 1852; the sun
had descended; n pleasan: breeze was playing
through the surrounding wood the cane bowed
under its influence. and the broad green leaves
of the corn waved in tho air, Morgan had seated
himself in the door Of his cabin, with his infant
OH his knee; his young and happy wife had laid
aside her spinning wheel and was busiiy engaged
in preparing her frugal meal.-That afternoon
he had accidentIy found bundle of letters, which
he had finished reading to his wife before he had
taken his seat in the door. IL was a correspond
ence in which they acknowledged an carly and
ardent attachment for each other, and the per-
usal left evident traces of Joy on the countsnan-
ces Of both the little infant too, seemed to par
take Of its parents feelingsby its cheerful smiles
playful humor, and infantile caresses. While
thus agreeably employed, the report OF rifle
was heard; another followed in quick succession
Morgan sprang to his feet, his wife ran to the
door, and they simultaneously exclaimed, 'ln-
dans!'
The door was Immediately barred, and the
next moment their fears were realized by ooid
and spirited attack of a small party of Indians
The cabin could not be successfully defended,
and time was precious. Morgan, cool bravo and
prompt soon decided. While he was in the act
of concealing his wife under the floor, a mothers
feelings overcome her-she arose-seized her IN
FAINT, but was afraid that its cries would betray
her place Of concealment-she hesitated-gazed
silently upon ia momentary struggle between
affection and duty took place. She once more
pressed her child to her agitated bosom, again
and again kissed it with impassioned tenderness
The infant alarmed at the profusion OF tears that
fell upon its cheek looked up in its mothers face
threw its little arms around her neck, and wept
aloud, 'In the name Of heaven Eliza, release the
child or shall be lost said the distracted hus-
band, in soft imploring voice, as he forced the
infant from his wife, hastily took up his gun,
knife and Ratchet, ran up the ladder that lod to
the garnet, and drew it after him. In a moment
the door was burst open, and the savages enter
ed.
By this time Morgan had secured his child in
a bag. and dashed it to his back; then throwing
off some clapboards from the cabins root, he res
olutcly leaped to the ground. He was instantly
assailed by two Indians. As the first approach
ed, he knoked him down with the butt end OF his
s% Tbs MS1g ahfi e, fall his gun and closed
The savage made blow, missed, but severed the
cord that bound the infant to his back, and 1t tell
The contest over, the warfare now became warm
and fierce and was carried on with knives only.
ascenden.y both were badly cut and bled freely,
but the stabs of the white man were better and
deeper, and the savage soon sunk to the earth IN
death Morgan hastily took up his child and hur-
ried off.
The Indians in the house, busiy engaged in
drinking and plundering, were not apPrized OF me
contest in the yard, until the one that had been
knocked down gave signs Of returning life, and
called them to the scene of action. Morgan was
discovered, Immediately pursued, and a dog put
upon his trail Operated upon by all the feel
ings of husband and father, he moved with
all the speed of hunted stag, and soon out-sfrlP
ped the Indians but the dog kept in close pursuit
Finding it impossible to outrun elude the Gun
ninp ANIMAL trained to hunts of this kind, he
halted and waited until it came within a few
wards of HIM, fired, and brought him down-re-
loaded his gun, and pushed forward. In short
time he reached the house Of his brother, who re-
sided between Bryant's Station and Lexington,
where he left the chili, ard tho two brothers set
out for his dwelling As they approached, light
broke upon his view-his step quickened,
his fears increased, and the most agoniz-
ing apprehensions crowded upon his mind |
Emerging from the csnebrake ,he beheld his house
in flames, and almost burnt to the ground my
wife he exclaimed, no pressed one hand to MS
or ehead, and grasped the fence with the other to
support his tottering frame. He gazed some
lime on the ruin and desolaiion before him, ad- !
,anced n few PAGES and sunk exhausted to the
Earth.
Morning came; the luminary Of heaven arose,
md still found him seated near tho almost exP'r.
NO embers. In his right hand he held a small
tick, with which he was tracing the name OF
Eliza on the ground, his left hand was thrown
N his eavorite dog that lay by his side, looking
;rst on the ruins and then on his master, with ev-
dent signs of grief Morgan arose. The two
,rothers now made search, and found somo bones
,urnt to ashes, which they carefully and
iIentv consigned to their mother earth. beneath
he wide spread branches of a venerable oak,
by the purest and holicst reco'ec-
ions. =
Several days after this Morgan was engaged
n a desperate battle at the lower Blue Llcks-
The Indians came off victors. and the surviving
whites returned across the Licking pursued by
he enemy for a distance Of six and thirty miles
James Morgan was amongst the last VINO
rossed the river, and was in the rear until the
in was descended. As soon as he beheld the
indians re-appear On the ridge, he felt anew his
,rongs and recollected the lovely object Of his
Elections. He urged on his horse, and pressed to
he front-Whilc in the act of leaping from his
,ddlc. he received rife ball in his thigh, and
II; an Indian sprang upon him, seized him by
,e hair, and applied the scalping knife. At this
,omen.. Morgan cast up his eyes and recognized