American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-07-17
From the Morristown Jerseym an.
WONDERFUL ESCAPE FROM THE
INDIANS
A HISTORICAL NARRATIVE.

James Morgan, a native Of Maryland marie
at an early age, and soon after settled near Bry-
ants Station, in the wids of Kentucky. Like
most pioneers of the West, he had cut down
the cane, built cabin, deadened the timber,
enclosed field with q worm fence, and planted
some corn.
1t was on the 18th Of August, 1882; the sun
had descended; pleasant breeze was playing
through the surrounding wood; the cane bowed
under its influence, and the broad green leaves
ofthe corn waved in the air; Morgan had seated
himself in the door Of his cabin, with his infart
on his knee; his young and happy wife had laid
aside her spinning wheel and was busily engag-
ed in preparing the frugal meal. That after
noon he had accidentally found a bundle of let
tiers, which he had finished reading to his wife
before lie had taken his seat in the door. 1t
was correspondence in which they acknow-
ledged an early and ardent attachment for each
other and the perusal left evident traces of Joy
on the countenances of both; the little infant,
too, seemed to partake of its parents feelings,
by its cheerful smiles, playful humor, and in
fantile caresses. While thus agreeably employ
ed the report of rifle was heard; another fol-
lowed in quick succession, Morgan sprang to
his feet, his wife raL to the door, and they ST.
simultaneously exclaimed, 'Indians!'
The door was Immediately barred, and the
next moment their fears were realized by bold
and spirited attack of a small party of Indians
The cabin could not be successfully defended,
and time was precious. Morgan, cool, brave,
and prompt, soon decided. While he was in
the act of concealing his wife under the floor, a
mothers feeling oVercame her-she arose
seized her infant, but was afraid that its cries
would betray her place of concealment. She
hesitated -gazed silently upon it--a momenta-
ry struggle between affection and duty took
place. She once more pressed her child to her
agitated bosom, again nd again kissed it with
imprisoned tenderness The infant alarmed
at the profuson of tears that fell upon it's cheek,
looked up in its mothers face, threw its little
arms around her neck, and wept aloud. SIN
the name Of heaven, Eliza, release the child or
be lost said the distracted husband, in a soft
imploring voice, as he forced the infant from
his wife, hastily took up his gun, knife, and
Ratchet ran up the ladder that led to the gar
ret. and drew it after him. In moment the
door was burst open, and the savages entered.
By this time Morgan had secured his child
in bag, and dashed 1t to his back; then throw
ing off some clapboards from the cabins roof,
he resolutey leaped to the ground. lie was
assailed by two Indians AS the first approach
ed, he knocked him down with the butt"end Of
his gun. The other advanced with uplited
tomahawk Morgan let fall his gun and closed
in. The savage made blow, missed but sew
cred the cord that bound the infant to his back,
and it fell. The contest over the child now
became warm and fierce, and was carried on
with knives only. The robust and athletic
Molgan at length got the ascendency; both
were badly cut and bled freely, but the slabs 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 hurried
off,
The Indians in the house, busiy engaged in
drinking and plundering, were not appraised of
the 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 dog put upon his trail. Operated upon
by all the feelings of husband and father, he
moved with the speed of a hunted stag, and
soon outstripped the Indians, but the dog kept
in close pursuit Finding it impossible to out
run or elude the cunning animal, trained to
hunts OF this kind, he halted until it came
within few yards of him, then fired and
brought him down. In short time he reached
the house of his brother, who resided between
Bryant's Station and Lexington, where he left
the child, and the two brothers set out for his
dwelling. As they approached, light broke up
on his vieW-hs steps quickened his fears in
creased, and the most agonizng apprehensons
crowded upon his mind Emerging from the
canebrake, lie beheld his house in flames, and
almost burnt to the ground. MY wife, he ex-