The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1851-05-30
Foster the Original Cooper's tLeather
Ef0cking.u

Stocking
You know how disappointed when chill
dren we were, to learn that Robinson Cru
soc never existed, but the true Robinson was
a matter-offact stupidity, known as Alex
ander Selkirk. l always had great con-
tempt for Alexander. and Cowper did not
help it much by making him .'monarch of
all be surveyed"
He ever seemed to me to be spreacher
run aground and greatly distressed, be.
cause he saw no charms in solitude's face,
the very reverse of what makes dear Rob-
inson Crusoe so delightful.
write. all this, because am going TO
tell you about the real. true and original
Leather Stocking. Now don't be offended,
for the genuine man is much nearer Coo
per's immortal creation. than Selkirk is
the precious Crusoe. Here is the Mo-
hawk valley, where am now staying
with Gen. B's relatives for few days,
Iheard a great deal about the great hun
ter and Indian hater. His name was
/ Foster. and he died four years since, nine
/ miles from this. : The stories theysteH of
] his exploits in Indian fights, his exceeding
] adroitness as hunter, and, "a woodsman,
] are truly wonderful Cooper has, they
assure me, described his personal appear
tkance very truthfully. One singular fact
he failed to mention; Foster carried bull
Islets deep, in the cavities between his
| knuckles, and could run and load and
I work. with his hands as if the balls were
mot there. Tothe last Of his life he
never missed killing an ''Injun,p if one
i.cFossed his spaih; and so'deep' were the
4 feelings. q, batred towards theslndian; and
! IleYe for the old man in the people of the
4 Mohawk valley, that a jury could. never
be found to pronounce him guilty of muir
4 der, -.
i A few years SINCE: Foster, with twc
white einpanions and an Indian, went in.
d to the forest 10 hunt. While there, quar-
rel arose Between Foster and the Indian
4 Foster at last picked up his rife and walked
out of the tent,asaying nothing; but the
Indian tprned.to theother and remarked
"Foster XIII me-he kill me sure."
"Oh, no, was the.reply@of the white
man, indifferehtly. \ 49,
i But the Indian persisted in saying tha
Foster would kill him. Shortly altef, ihey
entered the canoe. and pushed out into 4hs
riyer,. Ashley neared bend, wherestht
land. .jutted into. the stream, the Indian
pointed 10 the land ndssaid:~
,i s~Fhefe, Foster will kill me.'s - :
I His. comrades laughed ilcredulously
bat 70 pacify- the poor fellow, they placet
him between them, soas to afford the pro
would not 5'iem endafiger ia them. en- Wei as thel
afterwards stated under oath. asthey pass
ed the point, the Indians body was forf
moment uncovered BY tlieirs--at that sec
ond The sharp crack Of rifle was heard
and the Indian sprang into the water
dead. ..s.essk. IS :...~s-,s - e $.
7 The deed created-.great excitement
During the tfialthe court house was crow
ded to suffocation, and the feeling was'vcr;
generally infavof of Foster. -: !.
One can but wonder that a wrong, 5
cold -blooded and cruel, should, have an,
4 sympathy; butlhe remembrances of moth
4 frs and grandmothers, fleeing in terfsr. I
1.-THE forts wilhI babes. ins their arms, wa
yet sgreensa and fhe people could 4Qrge
the brave old, ,.Iudiafi fighter, do what b
might to tarrnish his we'll earned 'renowh
Il They listened in breathless silence as III
I trial progressed, and no murderer eYerha
so4nany honest hearts. throbbing in anxiet,
for his safety as OLD Foster. AT last III
Jury entered and announced him guiltleSs
"A and the court house rang with lerd- hnTra:
! as. the crowd carried the ..crimBal in nj
ur5lpls away. sg - - -
II alet 80 -, .. Esz :. s. - :
/ AlARgIAeE.-sT5s no less. Strange tha
. triaae. that the de which was formed bysth
I Almighty; as the completion Of mans len
i fesfriaE ppiness, should frequently prov
f'Ea pendefous link in thelehain Of his caFthl
! misery. Marriage, instead Of adding q
. }often' proves the gfavesof human bliss; an
J efghyg Where shall we seek the catlss
r IN the corruption :of. humanity, the perye
n Sion of nature est,feelngs, the chill Z
e4 fashion, the love of rank, of mere slAop
= Fashienabieeducaten too, lendssherpev
: srfl aid, womanis fitted to. shine al col