Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1854-12-08
From the GsniuS cfMe West.
The Hunters Disappointment,

Great events depend often on small ones.
History affords striking illustrations ofthe
influence which trivial occurrences have
exertcd upon national affairs. Every day
the lives of thousands ofour fellow citizens
depend upon unnoticed attentions OIL
cautions. Health, business prosperity
indeed moral welfare very often RE en-
dangered, and quite frequently are des-
troyed by influences SO lightly conSidred,
that the origin Of the misfortune cannot be
traced. In primitive or pioneer times,
important results were suspended from ev-
ents so trivial apparently as the bark of
a dog-the noise of the breaking of Il !
dry twig-the sound of a footfall--the flash
of gun.
The backwoods hunters were accustomed
to calculate the probabilities of unforeseen
chances, and their observation and caution
were consequently stimulated in high de-
gree, while their invention of quick ex-
pedients in the event of accident, was keenly
Sharpened. The renown which many Hun
ters achieved was won chiefly from the fact
that though no more bold or vigorous,
! though no more cautious or shrewd than
others in preparation, when attacking or
resisting their foes, they were ingeniously
apt at extricating themselves from unex-
pccted difficulty.
In 1880 Adam Poe was renowned as a
bold hunter and successful Indian fighter.
He courted dangerous exploits, and COW
eted peril. He was thoroughly Injured to
forest hardships, was tall well-formed, ,
athletic and supple. He had often heard
Of Big Foot a Wyandott Indian, who
was the terror of any settlements, and he
determined that should he ever strike his
trailhe would follow it until he had matched
his cunning and strength with that Of the
; Warrior.
During the summer Of 1882, seven Wy
andotts, led by Big Foot, crossed the Ohio
, River near Wheeling, and committed vio-
t lent depredations upon several pioneer
| settlements Adam Poe was in the vicin-
, ity, ard when he was informed Of Big
> Foot's exploits, he gathered small band
Of Hunters and pursued the tawny foes.
4 The Hunters knew the strength and skill
j., and daring of the warriors whom they
4 pursued, bat each had experience, and
each followed his leader with confidence
h Poe was not long in striking the looked
e for trail He conducted the pursuit witt
e energy, but thoughtful caution, until the
: trail. which led up the tiver toward a well
known crossing place, turned back int
the woods. Poe had feared that the In
Il dians would cross the river before h
could overtake them. Now, he was re-
: ioiced to discover evidences that the war
;, riors would soon be brought to a stand
He keenly examined the trail, then direct
i ed his companions to cautiously follow i
e while he crept through cluster of vii
= lows on the river benk. He believed the
u Indians were secreted near the crossing
3 place. Quietly and watchlully he crep
> forward until he had fair view of the
IS spot from which barks and canoes were
IL launched, and at which they were loaded
Two canoes empty and apparently desert
e e' ed were dragged far enough out upon the
~ shore to prevent the current from bearing
:, them away. Adams quick perception
Il assured him that the owners of these ca
noes were not far distant. He examines
d the priming Of his gun and crept up tn
ID steep bank until he had gained juttin!
n. cliff which almost overhung the point o
ot embarkation.
I'd For moment the hunter intently lis
tened-his attention, in particular di
| 11,,,
n came to his ears. He stretched himsel
1t over the cliff. Below, in confidential con
ot versation, sat two Indians. One was o
o a high stature and strong frame with
le native dignity in his bearing which mark
ed him as a leader. To himself, Po
or said,
le "Thers is Big Foot. I'll draw m.
3 sight on him, and he'll never scalp an.
ID more women"
3 The hunter steadily brought his gun t.
le his face, and the sight covered the foe
le The hunter would have ventured his owl
st life that Big Foot's hour had come. H
at pulled the trigger-the priming flashed il
the pan
as Instantly both the warriors were O
N their feet. They were warned of danger
of but not of its character. Poe did not Civ
I'd them time to consider what was best fo
Interpretation. Hesprung over the bushe
W which had hidden him from the view c
ut the Indians, and with all his might, throw
ing himself down the bank, struck Bi
lg Foot so violently that the giant India
;" was hurled to the ground. Down wer
= Poe with him and the warrior grasped tn
he hunter and cried tothe other Indian to ki
at him. When the savage FASTENED wit
uplifted tomahawk to obey his compal
We IONS call, Poe gave him kick which sci
ly him staggering into the river. Betwee
I Poe and Big Foot desperate struggle el
ito sued, ea,N living to get his knife. Meal