Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1851-06-05
GLASGOW MISSOURI, THURSDAY, JUNE ., 1851.
of the pioneers of the Boone's Lick


of the pioneers Of the Boone's Lick
country.
In company with a Mr.. Young, Mr..
McLain, in March 1912, left his family
TO visit Kentucky on business They
had proceeded UBmolested by 81. Louis
and through the settlements of Illinois,
and had crossed the kaskaskia river at
what was then called Hills Ferry.
and were near the Western end Of the
Grand Prairie. when they were fired on
by party of Indians who lay in am.
buscade near the path. Mr.. Young
was killed and sea ped; McLain's horse
was shot, and fell, but he escaped 10 the
woods and ran with great speed with
several Indians in chase All soon
gave oUt bat one, stout vigorous saw.
age, who seemed resoIUte 10 10 have
prisoner or scalp. Mr.. McLain was
encountered with a thick overCoal,
wrappers on his legs, and spurs On his
boots. The Indian fired and missed
him, and he availed himself Of a mo.
ments inlermission to throw off his
coat, that the prize might attract the
attention of his pursuer. The willy
Indian having loaded his gun, continued
the chase. As he approached, Mr.. NJ.
made signs as though he would surren.
der, until he came within a few feet,
when he would watch the motions of
the rifle, dodge the ball and again make
a desperate effort TO escape. During
the unequal contest for more than an
hour, the Indian fired at him seven
times. 10 one instance. as he threw
his breast forward, unIuckily he thrust
back his elbow and received the ball ih
his arm.
During the time he had ran a long
distance through the heavily timbcred
bottom TO the river, which to ensure a
chance OF escape, he must swim. lie
plunged into the cold stream, and made
a desperate effort with his nearly cx.
hausted eneIgies TO reach The shore
! As he swan he had to keep his eye on
| his willy foe, who had loaded his gun
the eighth time, and fired from the bank
second of time after McLain had
sunk in deep water Holding his breath
as long as he was able, and swimming
diagonolIy down stream, when he rose,
he had gained so far on his pursuer, that
the Indian with the yeU peculiar to
such occasions, gave up the chase
! Very likely his report to the tribe was
that he had followed a Great Medi.
cine" who was 50 charmed that the
balls could not hlt him.
He was so exhausted and SO chilled
IN the cold water after such a violent
exercise, that ii was with extreme diff
icully he crawed upon the bank. lie
was wet, chilled, badly wounded in the
arm, and hardly able to stand. A few
days previous, the two or three families
who lived at Hills Ferry" saw In
dian signs" and had retreated TO the
west of Silver creek After incredible
suffering and effort, Mr.. McLain reach,
ed the BadgIey settlement, distance
Of 35 miles, at a late hour the next
morning. Here he lay for severa
weeks, with his wound and the fever
A party of volunteers went over the
kaskaskia river, buried Mr.. Young
found Mr.. McLain's saddle bags
which be had the self possession to cas-
into lhickct as he sprang from hi:
hors but they saw no Indians.
In December, 1918. we spent seve
raj days with Mr.. McLain, from whom
these particulars were received, HC
died on his farm in the bottom some
TWO or three miles north west from
Franklin, early in 1919, and his wifi
followed him in a week, leaving 4 FAM
ly of orphan children.
} n. b. The writer's Post Office al
dress is Shii0h. 81 Ct0U couHty, Illinois
He would regard ii as favor, aud i
p, would add 10 the facts contemplate,
/ in these Sketches" If any of th,
friends or acquaintances Of the Boone
: Lick pioneers would send send hin
: such facts as are within their knowl
5 edge. There are others equally de
r serving that require notice, hut the ma
D tetlalS are wanting. j, NJ. l..
: From the Baltimore sun.
/ --latest from California.
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