Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-08-07
NJ i s o d d Il a n g o
THE CONVERTED ALaEnrNE

iho iolioWlng narrative Is taken from the
fanoplist OF December, 1916 1t was written.
we are informed, by the late Rev. Dawn
RICE, of Kentucky, deceased. Il is intro.
duced by the writer with the following para
graphs:
:, nave long been of opinion, that even
the short account am able to give of So
lem Inc Aigerlne, is worth preserving and
suppose mat no person now living is able to
give SO iull an account of him as myself NOT
having had the same means of ;nG,rna,;n,,
" Had Salem ever recovered his re,son ..
lar as TO write his own history. and olive an
account of all the tender and interes,ino cir
cuHs'ahces OF his story, it would nndonbted-
nave neen one OF the most moving narra-
yves 10 be met wlh.-All can write is the
substance OF the story as related TO me. most
Oh IL many years ago. have been carefn,
10 relate every particular circumstance
couid recollect, worthy of notice, and max o
no additions, and very few reflections of INV
own. ny
ABOUT the close Of the war between
france and England, in Virginia commonly
called Braddock's war, certain man. wbosa
name, as have been informed. was samuel
"Nehs, ihen an lnhabitant of Augusta Conn
w Ill virginia, wen! into the woods. hack IF
'he settlements, to hunt wild meat for the SIM
port OF MS family; practice which necessity
Fehuets customary for the settlers of a new
country. lie took more than one horse with
MN, mat 1t might be in his power to brine
nome his meat and skins. As he was one
day ranging the woods in quest of game. he
cast his eyes into the top of large fallen
tree, where he saw living creature move
SuPposing it TO be some wild beast. he made
ready TO shoot 1t, but had 80 sooner obtained
distinct view, than he discovered human
shape, which prevented the fatal DISCHARGE.
Going to the place, he found man in most
wretched and piliable situation his person
entirely naked, Except few rags tied about
his feet,O and almost covered with scabs. Quite
emaciated, and nearly famished to DEATH
The man was unacquainted with the ENGLISH
language, and Givins knew no other. Noin-
formation therefore, could be obtained, who
he was, whence he came, or how he was
brought into state SO truly distressing
Givlns, however, with the kindness of the
good Samaritan, took tender care of him,
and supplied his emacated body with the
best nourishment his present circumstances
would afford. He prudenhy gave him but
little at time, and increased the quantity as
his strength and powers Of digestion increased.
in a few days, the man recovered such de-
gree OF strength as to be able to ride on horse
back.-Givins furnished him with one of
those he had taken with him to carry home
his meat and conducted him to Capt. CATER
wards COLI Dickerson's, who then lived near
the Windy Cave.-Dickerso supplied his
wants, and entertained him for some months.
with generosity that is more common with
rough back-woodsmen, who are acquainted
with ife hardships of life, than among the
opulent sons Of luxury and case.
The poor man considered he had no wav
tEgnake himself and his complicated distress
es known, wiihGs tbe help Of language =
he therefore rcser8 Aeip4e himself &C
quainied with the Engfsh .Sngue, as soon as
possible. 10 this, his progress was surpris-
ing; he procured pen, ink and paper, and
spent much Of his time in writing down re-
markable and important words, pronouncing
them, and getting whoever was present to cor
rect his pronunciation. BY his interchangeable
application, and the kind assistance of Col
DickersoD's family, he in few months was
so far master of English, as to speak it with
considerable 2ropriety. When he found him