The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1854-05-05

ono morning among his horses and cattle,
half dead with hunger and cold. He took
him into his house, fed him, learned bis
story, and began 10 consider how his in
human master nigh, be punished, Great,
therefore, was his delight, when, on look.
ing over the list Of causes to lie tried be-
fore him in that circuit,the very first was,
"Commonw wealth vs.. Samuel Saunders, for
abducling, murdering,or otherwise unlaw
fully making way with AT indentured male
child, known as William Smllh."a '
The trial came on. Judge Campbell
compelled the siricicst scrutiny into facts.
His counsel was startled, cowed almost
lopelessly. The winding up waS near
All felt that the verdict must be guilty.
Suddenly there was commoiion in court.
Carriage wheels were heard rapidly near,
ing the place. The Sheriff came in and
with him was the boy,still atiehuated from
suffering but neatly clothed, and with the
bloom life reviving on his cheek. Old
Saunders was carried from the dock in
convu' 'sions-his shrieks being heard till
the prison doors we're closed upon him.
He was acquitted, but compelled TO give
security for the maintenance and ednca~
lion OF Bill Smith till he was eighteen
yeara Of age. pa % b 8s ~,
That was the first public scene in Bill
Smiths career. The next was when, as
an eloquent, vvacious, bold young laws
yer, he pleaded his first cause at the bar.
lie gained many afier il, and gradually
rose TO grea, honors, wealth and prosper
I ily. Matte became lis wife, and their
home was blessed with sons and daugh>
iers, ill when the Declaration Of lnde-
peudence was made, men knew no hap,
pier family ihan that Of William Smith,
He was generous. and he was charitable,
bu. nevertheless one of the mos, opu!en!
men in the province, for he was prudent
and economical. a
When, ,Lowcver,the war Of liberty broke
OUT, his treasures flowed like water 10
support Washington in his tremendous
campaigns. Ma,tio did not rspine when
she saw their riches melting away in the
fever Of that glorious cause.
'Let The gold co. she said,an the gold
did 90, and when America was free it was
all gone, and William Smith found him
self beggar! But he was not SorTowiul;
for over the Allegheny mountains was the
country OF Kentucky -6eanliul sol! ano
timber, aud water and game abounding
There they nigh. settle, and lbilher Tef'
many going who had lost their posses
sions in tho terrible bu, sacred war.
In the spring Of 1888, fifty etnigiant
K. assembled At Powell's on the frontiers
the colony. They were 10 journey il
] company over the mountains, for mu'ua
defense, for the swusihy tribes Of Indian
still hoyered over the regions, rcvengin
ON the white men that long llliad OF ca
'amites which had fallen on their race
The caravan pressed forward. II press
i ed through wild territory. among noun
tains and de6les, with the shaggy fo'e'
+, still throwing THAR primeval shadows owe
the slopes. AT distance there wa
= known 10 be a settlement where provif
. ions might be obtained. Smith, with
h small party went in advance to bring bac
supplies for The resi-; he was six day
q away; the remainder had promised
!, avail, his coming in a sequeslered llill
valley. To that he came with his con
panions. There were traces OF the camI
!, and marks Of conhjct-bui no living bt
+, ing stirred there mo voice could be heart
no welcome OF the dear ones he had lei
: A confused and broken trail showed hi
a the emigranis were in full retreat for ii
Cliuch river, TO regain The more populo,
:. district they had Quilted Smith hurIie
~ after them.
. .Where is my wife! wher, are my CHI
:. dren!' he asked OF the first slragg,er
- came TO. -,.,. d,
n. You will find them where you lie
IS them. Ask The Sbawnees, they can te
ck you The rest 8,.s, ,n3q 3j
I'd you have neglected your iruss-ih'
N arc murdered,' said Smith, in stern,d
x, liberate, yet trembling yaice. 'And y
= you are re,reaing, you coward? he a
pl- ded, and struck the man to the groun
bv He then turned back, rode alone TO Il
nd abandoned camp in the valley, and the
nd in the evening, he was found, ,lo0kiug wi
ne fearless eyes, but cOunisnance mo
i lsorrouf,,l ihnn veeDinp could make IL !,