The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1854-10-11
The Indian Chief, Rhon-yan less.

The Indian Chief, Rhon-yan-ness.
At the death of Rhon-yan nesshe was the
Oldest chief in the Wyandott nation. He
was among the first who embraced the gos-
pei among the Wyandotts. He was great
hunter, and first among the braves of his
tribe, and was as nuch hpnored as any chief
Of any nation and, when converted, be-
came equally courageous in the cause of
Christ.
We will relate an incident which occurred
in his life, that will show, in some degree,
his zeal and courage as an Indian,
About the middle of July, 1882, seven
Wyandosts crossed the Ohio few miles
above Wheeling, and committed depreda
tons upon the southern shore, killing an old
rnsn whom they fourd alone in his cabin,
and spreading terror throughout the neigh
borhood. Within few hours after their
retreat, eight men assembled from different
parts of the small settlement, and pursued
the enemy with great expedition.
Among the most active and efficient of the
party were two brothers, ADAM and Andres
Poe. Adam was particularly popular. In
strength, action, and hardhood, he had no
equal, being finely formed, and Injured to all
the perils Of the woods They had not fol
lowed the trail far, before they became sat
iSiied that the depredaors weic conducted
by BIZ Foot, renowned chief of the Wy
sndott tribe, who derived bis name from the
immense size Of his feet and his strength
was represented as herculcaO
He had also five BROKERS, and as they
generally went in company, they wer" the
terror of the wEoie country. Adam Poe
was overoyed at the idea of measuring his
strength with that Of so celebrated a chief,
and urged The pursuit with kcenness which
quickly brought him IN the vicinity of the
enemy. For the last few miles the trail had
Jed them up the southern bank Of the OhIo,
where the foot prints in the sand were deep
and obvious; but when within a few yards
of the point at which the whites as we'll AS
the Indians were in the habit of crossing, it
suddenly diyersed from the stream and
stretched along rocky ridge. forming an
obtuse angle with its former direction. Here
Aadm halted for a moment, and directed
bis brother and the other young men TO fol
low the trail with proper caution, while he
himself still adhered to the river path, which
led through clusters of willows, directly to
the point where he supposed the enemy to
lie.
Having examined the priming of his gun,
he crept cautiously through the bushes, ill
he had view of the point of embarkation
Here lay two canoes, empty and apparently
deserted. Being satisfied, however, that
the Indians were close at hand he relaxed
nothing of his vigilance, and quickly gained
jutsing cliff, which hung Immediately over
the canoes. Hearing low murmur below,
he peered cautiously over, and beheld the
object Of his search. The gigantic Big
Foot lay below him in the shade Of willow,
and was talking, in a low, deep tone, to an
other warrior, who seemed mere pigmy by
his side. ..u...
Adam cautiously drew back, and cooked
his gun The mark was fair; the distance
did not exceed twenty feet, aud the aim was
unerring. Raising his rifle. slowly and eau
tiously, he took aim at Big Foot's breast
and drew the trigger. His gun flashed
Both Indians sprang to their feet wiIE =
deep interjection Of surprise, and for sin
gle moment all three stared upon each other
This inactivity was soon over. Adam wa:
too much hampered by the bushes TO retreat
and setting his lite upon cast OF the die
he sprang over the bushes that had shelter
ed him, and summoning all his powers
leaped boldly down the precipice, and alight
ed upon the breast Of Big Foot with shocl
that bore him to the earth.
At the moment Of contact, Adam had
also thrown his right arm aronnd the necl
of the smaller Indian, so that all thret
came to the earth together. Al that mo
moment sharp firing was heard among
The bushes above, announcing that the othel
parties were engaged; but the trio below
were too busy to attend to anything bu
Z themselves. Big Foot was, for IN instant
stunned by violence Of the shock. and Adam
was euabled to keep then, down. But tn
exertion necessary for that purpose was $
great that he had no leisure to draw hi
knife. "a IS tf-
Big Foot quickly recovered, and, withou
attempting to rise, wrapped bis long arm