The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-05-14
6istorifal.
THRILLING NARRATIVE.
HISTORICAL FACT.

/
cane, built cabin, deudened the timber, enclo-
sed a field with worm fence, and planted some
corn. Ht 'H-# .3.
1t was the l7th of August 1882; the sun had
descended, a pleasant breeze was playing thro'
the surrounding wood; the cane bowed under
Tits influence, and the broad green leaves of the
corn waved in the air. Morgan had seated him
Iself in the door of his cabin, with his infant on
his knee; his young and happy wife had laid
aside her spinning wheel and was busily enga-
ged in preparing the frugal meal. That after
noon he had accidentally found bundle of let
ters which lie had finished reading TO his wife
before he had taken his seat in the door. Itwas
a correspondence in which they acknowledged
an early and ardent attachment for each other,
and The perusal left evident traces of Joy on the
countenances BOTH the little infant, too, SEEM
ed TO partake of its parents feelings by its cheer
fu smiles, playful humor, and nfantine caresses.
While thus agreeably employed, the report of a
rifle was heard; another followed in quick sue
cessjon. Morgan sprang 10 his feet, his wife ran
to the door, and they simultaneously exclaimed,
FsIndans!' r.s r. .,tt
The door was Immediately barred, and the
next moment their fears were realized by bold
and spirited attack Of small party Of Indians
The cabin could not be successfully defended,
and time was very precious. Morgan, cool and
brave and prompt soon decided. While he was
in the act Of concealiug his wife under the floor,
a mothers feelings overcame her-she arose
seized her infant, but was afraid that its cries
would betray her place Of conceamcnt. She
hesNated--gazed silently upon it--a momentary
Struggle between affection and duty took place.
She once more pressed her child TO her bosom
again, and kissed it with impassioned tenderness
The infant alarmed at the profuson of tears that
fell upon its checks, looked up in its mothers
face, threw its little arms around her neck, and
wept aloud. ''ln the name of heaven, Eliza re-
lease the child or we shall be losl," said the dis
tracted husband, in a soft imporing voice, as he
forced the infant from his wife--hastily took up
his gun, knife, and hatchet, run up the ladder
that led 10 the garret and drew it after him. In
y moment the door was burst open, and the sa-
wages entered. .
BY this time Morgan had secured his child in
a bag, and lashed it TO his back; then throwing
off some clap-boards from the cabins roof, he re-
soluely leaped 10 the ground. lie was instant
| ly assaied by two Indians. AS the first ap-
preached, he knocked him down with the butt
end of his gun. The other advanced with up
lifted tomahawk; Morgan let fall his gun and
closed in. The savage made blow, missed,
but severed the cord that bound The infant to his
back, and il fell. The contest over the child
now became warm and fierce, and was carried
on with knives only. The robust and athletic
Morgan at length got the asccndcncy; both were
badly cut and bled freely, but the sabs of the
white man were better and deeper, and tho saw
age soon sunk to the earth in death. Morgan
hastily took up his child and hurried off.
| The Indians in the house, busly Engaged in
drinking and plunderng, were not apprised of
the contest in the yard until the one that had
been knocked down gave signs Of returninglife
and called them TO The scene Of action. Nor
gan was discovered, Immediately pursued, and
/ dog put upon his trail. Operated upon by all
the feelings of husband and father, he mo-
we'd with all the speed of a hunted stag, and
soon outstrpped the Indians, but the dog kept
in close pursuit Finding it impossible to out
run or elude the cunning animal, tried to hunts
OF this kind, he halted, and waited until ii came
within few yards of hm-fred, and brought
him down-rcloaded his gun and pushed for-
ward In short time he reached the house of
his brother between Bryant's Station and Lex
ington, where he left the child and the Two bro
theirs set out for his dwelling. As they ap-
preached a light broke upon his view--his steps
lquckened, his fears increased, and the most ag-
onized apprehension crowded upon his mind.
Emerging from the canebreak, he beheld his
house in flames and almost burned TO the ground
"My wile!" he exclaimed, as he pressed one
hand to his forehead and grasped the fence with
the other, 10 support his tottering frame. He ga.
zed some time on the ruin and desolation before
him, advanced few PAGES, and sunk exhausted
TO the earth.
| Morning came; the luminary of heaven arose.
and still found him seated near the almost expi-
ring embers. In his right hand he held small
stick, with which he was tracing the name of
"Eliza" on the ground, his left hand was thrown
on his favoritc dog, that lay by his side, looking
first on the ruins and then on his master with
evident signs OF grief. Morgan arose. The
two brothers now made search and found some
bones burnt TO ashes, which they carefully con
signed 10 their mother earth, beneath the wide
spread branches of venerable oak ..ot.., ....
Several days alter This, Morgan was engaged
in desperate battle at the lower Blue Licks.-
The Indians came OF yictors, and the surviving
whites returned across the Licking, pursued by
the enemy fora distance of six and thirty miles
James Morgan was amongst the last who cros-
sed the river; and was in the rear until the hill
was descended. As soon as he beheld the In
dams re-appcar on the ridge, he felt anew his
wrongs and recollectcd The object of his afFcc.
tions. lie urged on his horse, and pressed to
the front While in the act of loaping from his
saddle, he received rife ball in the thigh, and
| fell; an Indian sprang upon him, seized him by
the hair and applied a scalping knife. AT this
moment, Morgan cast up his eyes and recogni-
sed the handkerchief that bound the head of the
savage, as the one which he knew 10 be his
Iwife's. This added renewed strength 10 his bo.
ldy, and increased his fUry. He quickly threw
bis left arm aroundth Indian. and with a death
like grasp hugged him 10 the bosom, plunged his