Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-10-23
From the Columbian and Great West.
1s THE DEATH STRUGGLE.
A Pioneer sketch.
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Mountain, there came to The Wild
of Kentucky two Of its most re-
nowned heroes and chiefs. Stalwarr
of size, majestic in mein, and daring
almost to recklessness. yet OF differ
ent temperaments, for one was san
guine, and the other billious-thest
two warriors who had often fought
"Foemen worthy of their steel,
were as gentle TO each other a;
doves, and were knit together by the
strongest ties Of friendship. ~
They "squatted" about fourteen
miles from each other in the thick
woods OF that part Of the State now
known as Madison and Lincoln
counties. The war-whoop of the
Indian and the howl Of the vol
were the onIyscunds which broke
the solitude of the west, and all the
energies of hardy pioneers were
directed to their sell-protection, from
the merciless enemies of the white
man.
They occasionally visite1 each
other when an emergency called Tor
their united action, and those OF the
hunters each could muster to do bat
tie with the saveges. On one occa-
sion the spies OF both chiefs reported
a gathering OF the Indians up the
Kentucky river, al place rugged
and sublime, now Estill county
Each left his cabin at the same time,
for the same purpose oI consulting
with the other; Of course armed TO
the teeth, and carrying the unerring
rifle, ready for any surprise. Trea-
ding their way through the forest,
Shelby upon his splendid black Bald
face, as he was Familiarity called, and
Kennedy coming cautiously from an
opposite direction they both, at the
same time, with their quick animals,
pricked up their ears at the sound OF
horses teet. As they advanced, the
sounds became more perceptible,
and ere long were in rifle shot dis.
tance. Each supposiDg the other a
red-skin, and Of course deadly Zoe,
dismounted and treed himself for a
better inspection of-the movements
Of the other. The triggers might
then be heard breaking the dead 81
lence of the forest. A time oI in
tense suspense ensued as they waited
the advance. Neither could be- per-
ceived, except but dimly through the
tress and bushes, and their dresses so
much resembled that of the native.
that both Of the elittering tubes
were levelied so that the white Of
one eye might prove a target for the
other. But no such chance occur
red, and Kennedy being'of too impa-
tient a temperament to wait longer,
took the ground trail to get shot.
Unperceived even by his wary adj
versary until his rifle was raised
almost, he was about sending the
lsaden messenger of death, when he
spied old Baldface near his antago-
mist. With a joyful cry he exclaim-
ed: .:j f.
"Hallol Ike, is that your 500
"Why yesl Tom, is that you!"
"Why certainly, Ike, and yon
came d-n near being shot for a
redskin." -Hs.
"Not nearer than you, for min
ute more, and old Betty would have
sent you harder meal to digest than
you have had in your stomach for a
coon's age" a7'1ezI
Mutually congratulating each 9TH
er thus upon their escape. they plo-
ceeded to the cabin of Kennedy.
After discussing their plans, they dis
cussed a very substantial dinner of
dried venison and maize bread, wash
ed down with the most healthful and
exhilerating of all beverages-Ad-
ANS ale. Their meal being finished,
they crossed, over to Paint Lick,
where Kennedy had mustered his
men, which together with what Shell
by called out, made nineteen -
"Hunters Of Kentucky" all told.
On the banks OF the romantic Silver
Greek, which found its way through
the umbragous darkness Of the for
est, met these stern men who had set
their life upon the cast, and had re-
solved to stand the hazard of the die.
They trailed the foe to place call
ed Vinegrove, (now in Madison coun-
tv,) and attacked them across the
Kentucky river, until they reached a
mountainous country some hundred
and twenty miles above Frankfort,
They ascertained that the Indians
numbered seventy or eighty stout
warriors. On discovering The trail,
the pursners held council of war,
in which all joined and in which all
save one (who afterwards distinguish.
ed himself in the melee1 agreed to
chargethe redskins on the mountain;
a shelving elevation Of great height
now in Estill county. The little banc
was divided into three companies
each, taking a different route from
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