The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1849-11-10
How. Big Joe LogstOn Used Up Two Indians.

male within her borders was a hunter and Indian
killer by profession big Joe Logtson, the hero of
the following adventure, and of many an exploit
equally perious and successful, was a resident-if
the term can apply to man of his Arab-like hab-
its-of that section ofthe State known as Green
county. 1t is said of him, in western phrase that
he could "out-run, out-jump, out-hop, throw down,
drag out and whip any man in the country" The
rough woodsman's habits would not have gained
him much esteem in polished society; but he was
such man as Richard the Gon-hearted loved to
look upon-of mighty thews and sinews; and in
frontier settlements where savages and beasts of
prey were to be contended with the use and value
of Samson, like Joe Logson' are self-eyident
In the fail of 1850, year memorable in the his
tory of Indian warfare, the Shawnees, the fercest
tribe in Northern Kentucky, suddenly fell upon the
Green river settlements in great force Numbers
of the whites including many women and children
were killed or made prisoners The remnant that
escaped, among whom was our friend Logston
sought protection within rude fort which formed
the strong hold of the infant colony.
Garrison life was something new to Joe. He
had arrived at the age of 80 without having been
housed, as far as he could remember for three con-
secutive days. 1t may be supposed, therefore, that
by the time he had been cooped up in the block
house, week, he became restless and rantank-
erous as Gagged tiger. He tried to organize par
ty to hunt up the stray cattle of the settlement; ;
but his companions knowing the danger better than
he or fearing it more, refused to accompany him.
At length being too wolfsh, as he expressed it, to
keep any longer under cover, he resolved TO set
forth alone. Saying out one fine morning, he
mounted his horse, and, in defiance of warning and
remonstrance rode into the forest in quest of adven
lures His ostensible object was to search for the
cattle which had been scattered by the Indians
and after travelling all day without seeing any signs
of them or Indians Joe concluded to return to the
fort Riding along path which ran in that direc-
ton, he came to grape vine loaded with ripe clus
ters. This was a welcome sight to hungry and
thirsty ranger and Joe fell toit in earnest While
he was thus engaged, with the rein thrown care
lessly on the neck of his nag and not dreaming of
danger two guns cracked from the opposite sides
of the bride path The bullet from one passed
through the aeshy part of his breast, grazing the
bone, and shower of buckshot from the other,
struck his horse behind the saddle He had bare
y time to slip his feet out of the strrups before
the animal sunk in its tracks. The backwoodsman
fell with his steed, but on his feet rifle in hand
in a moment He might have escaped by flight,
for so great his speed of foot that the most ag
lie runner of the Shawnees would have been no
match for him. He had never retired from bat
tie ground without leaving his mark, and was
solved not TO retreat before he had reel pro-
Gated compliments with his unknown friends in the
bushes. He was not kept long in suspense. In
less than half minute after the report of the guns
an athletic Indian bounded into the path toma-
hawk in hand. Joe instantly covered him with his
rifle, and stood ready to put the sixteenth part of
pound of lead through his heart the moment he
should approach near enough for sure shot. The
redskn as soon as he OWNED Joe's kind attentions
in his behalf jumped behind two saplins which af-
forded the nearest cover; but as neither of them
was large enough to shield his body and they were
licFo H. - IL,
aim of his enemy by hopping quickly from one to
the other.
joe who knew that he had two enemies on the
ground kept a sharp lookout for the other even
while his whole attention seemed to be devoted to
the artful dodger behind the saplings. Presently
he espied redskn number two loading his gun at
the back of a tree. The whole of the tree was not
quite large enough to hide him, and in the act of
showing down his bullet he exposed his posterial
extremity and portion of one hip. Joen the twink
ling of an eye, wheeled and gave him shot-wth
what effect he had no time to see, for at the mo-
ment the charge left the barrel the first Indian,
who was giant in bulk and stature, rushed upon
him with uplifted tomahawk. AT the distance of
about fifteen feet from his enemy, the brawny saw
age halted and hurled his tomahawk with all his
force. 1t was truly aimed, but the frontiersman,
who had quick eve, lodged the missile as it came.
The steel blade, instead of ceaving his forehead,
whirled Kissing by and struck quivering in the
trunk of a tree about ten yards behind him.
Joe now dubbed his rifle and dashed at the In
dian, intending to brain him with its butt But the
activity of the red giant equal to his apparent
strenth. He sprang into the brush, and doubled
hther and thither with such fox-like cunning that
for ten minutes his white antagonist unable to
approach within striking distance. AT last, howev-
er, Joe, thinking he had a fair chance swung his
gun high in the air, and made sweeping blow full
at the Indians head. The bnffet might have fell
ed buffalo, and, had it taken effect on the skull
for which it was intended, would have crushed it
Ike gourd; but the willy redskin glided like a
shadow from under the descending weapon, which,
striking among the bushes, bounded from the woods
mans grasp far out of reach. The hands of both
were now weaponess, and the Indian observing
that Joe was bleeding freely from the breast rush
ed at him, and seizing his throat, endeavored to
strangle him.
This was decidedly false move on the part of
the savage. Logston was the strongest man of
the two, and the most expert wrestler west of the
Alleghanies. Scarce had the fingers of the Shaw
nee began to take liberties with Joe's windppe,
when he was hurled over the woodsman's hip, and
fell with tremendous force upon his back But
although Joe could throw his tawny enemy he could
not hold him down. The Indian being naked and
his skin well Oiled he slipped from the white-mans IS
hold like an eel, and was sometimes the first to rise,
After throwing him five or six times, Joe found
from the loss of blood and incessant muscular ex-
erton, his strength fast departing, and that he
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