The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-06-22
SELECT TALE.
fpnB ESCAPE.
A Thrilling Historical Narrative


soon killed large buck and returned
home for horse in order 10 bring it
During his absence party Of five lndi. |
ans, in one OF their skulking expeditions,
accidentally stumbled on the body OF the
deer, and preceving that it had been re-
Gently killed, they naturally supposed
that the hunter would soon return to Sc
cure the flesh. Three of them, therefore,
took their station within close rifle shot OF
the deer, while the other two followed
the trail Of the hunter, and waylaid the
path by which he vas expected 10 return
Mcconnell thinking not Of danger,
rode, carlessly along The path. which the
scouts were watching, until he had come
within view of the deer, when he was
fred on by the whole party, and his horse
killed. While laboring TO exricate him.
self from the dying animal, he was seized
by his enemies, overpowered and borne
off prisoner His captors, however,
seemed a merry good natured sci OF tel
lows, and permitted him TO accompany
them unbOund-and what was rather ex
traordinary. allowed him to retain his gun
and hunting accouterments. He accom-.
panied them with great apparent cheer
iul ess through the day, and displayed
his dexterity by shooting deer for the u,e
OF the company, until they began TO re
gard him with great partiality. Having
travelled with him in this manner for seve-
raj days, they at length reached the Bank
OF the Ohio river. ....
Hereafter the Indians had taken the
II precau,ion 10 bind him al night, although
not very securely, but on that evening he
reconstructed with them on the subject
and complained so strongly Of the pam
which the cord gave him, that they mere
Iy wrapped the buffalo rug about his
wrists, and having tied it in an easy knot
and then attached the extremlies Of the
rope to their bodies, in order to prevent
his moving without awakening them they
very composedIy went to sleep, leaving the
prisoner to follow their example or not as
he pleased.
Oh Mcconnell determined to effect his es.
cape that night if possible. as on the fol-
lowing morning they would cross tht
river, which would render it more
difficult lie therefore lay quietly unit
midnight, anxlously Illuminating on th
best means of effecing his escape. Ac
cident castingly his eyes in the direction
erv of his feet. they fell on the gliuering blad
OF knife, which had escaped from it
sheath and was now lying near the fee
OF one oil the Indians.
To reach it with his hands. wthou
disturbing the two Indians to whom h
was fastened was impossible. and it wa
very hazardous to attempt TO draw it u
with his feet. This, however he attempt
:. ed. With much difficulty he grasped tn
FE blade between his toes, and alter reFef
ecu ted and long continued efforts saacoai
las in bringing it within reacn uS r"
IrSe To cut the cord was but the work of
and moment, and gradually and Sileu-.y extr
hef eating himself he walked to the fire al
al, sat down. He felt that his work was b
ana halt done. That if he should attempt
an return home without destroying his en-
the mics, he would be pursued and probab
anu an. overtaken, when his fate would be ce
we tain. On the other hand, it seemed {
,, OF most impossible for single individual
ne succeed in conflict with five India
con even though unarmed and asleep.
e. is could not hope to deal a blow with KIN
d., so silently and fatally and to destroy ca
6 OF OF his enemies in turn, without awake
gen ing the rest. Their Slumbers were pI
ana verbally light and restess-ahd if
au- failed with single one, he must ineVl
age bly, be overpowered by the survivors
rea The knife was therefore out OF the gu
70 OF ton. After anxious reflection Tor
tehu moments he found his plan,
Jour The guns of the Indians were slacI
near the fire. Their knives and lor
d be hawks were shealhed by their sides.
wife, latter he dare not ttouch for fear OF aro
re- ing their owners, but the former he ca
Cy oil fully removed with the exception OF +
asant and hid them in the woods, while
ID by knew the Indians were still sleeping ?
} not lectly ignorant oI the tate preparing
d en- them, and taking one in each hand
not resting the muzze on a log, within
y 3 fee, OF his victims, and having taking
n be- Iberate aim at the head of one and
b nel- heart of another, he pulled both trlgg
break a, ,he same moment Both shots "
nan 's fatal
clow A. or, or the o1ns. the 9th
d the -, IA, Wv nIir c,st olancinc wildly all
them. Mcconnell, who had run to
snort where the other rifles were
" 'e -" ~ hastily seized one Of them and hred
: wv Wv Two Of his enemies who happened t'
iie STANDING in line with each other
70 "P' nearest lell dead, being shot through
''"s x. center of the body; the second Tell
'not l believing loudly, but soon recove
Uot " Iimped off as fast as possible The
'ar" ,ru the only one that remained unhurt da
| ne off like deer. with yell thai ann
0''uo" N ced equal Terror and establishment.
uPo', Connel not wishing to fight any t
'aiNou .''; such battles, selected his own rife
l"qU' the stock, and made the best of his
= oros to Lexington, where he arrived IL
w. days.
A short time afterwards, Mrs. Du
~ ." of Fayette, who had been several mi
,ondod prisoner among the Indians on
'"" e, !, ;s river, made her escape, and return
a a' " = Lexington. She reported that the :
'"e'1 vor returned TO his tribe with lam