Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-09-05
THE ESCAPE,

THRILLING HISTORICAL NARRATIVE.
Early in the spring of 1850, Mr.. Alexander Me-
Connell, Of Lexington, KY, went into the woods
foot to hunt deer He soon killed large
buck, and returned home for Il horse in order to
bring it. During his absence party of five In
dams, in one of their skulking expeditions, acct
dentally stumbled on the body of the deer, and
pcrceiving it had been recently killed. they natu-
rally supposed that the hunter would soon return
TO secure the flesh. Three Of them, therefore.
took their stations within close rifle shot of the
deer: while the other two followed the trail of
the hunter, and waylaid the path by which he was
expected to return.
Mcdonnell thinking not of the danger. rode
carelessly along the path, which the scouts were
watching. until he had come within view of the
deer, when he was fired on by the whole party
and his horse killed While laboring to extricate
himself from the dying animal, he was seized by
his enemies, overpowered and borne off prisoner.
His captors, however, seemed merry, good natur-
ed sort of fellows, and permitted him to accom-
pany them unbound-and what was rather extra
ordinary. allowed him to obtain his gun and hunt
ing accoutrements. He accompanied them with
great apparent cheerfuneSs through the day, and
displayed his dexterity by shooting deer for the
use of the company, until they began to regard
him with great partially. Having travelled with
him in this manner for several days, they AT length
reached the bank Of the Ohio river.
Heretofore the Indians had taken the precau-
ton to bind him at night, although not very secure
ly. but on that evening he demonstrated with them
the subject and complained so strongly of the
pain which the cord gave him, that they merely
wrapped the Butfllo rug about his wrists and
having tied it in easy knot and then attached
the extremties of the rope to their bodies, in Or
der to prevent his moving without awakening them
they very composedly went to sleep, leaving the
prisoner to follow their example or not as he
pleased.
Mcconnell determined to effect his escape that
IL. 4 II
they would cross the river. which would render it
more difficult. He therefore laid quietly until
midnight, anxously ruminlting the best
means of cifcctng his escape. Accidently casting
his eyes IN the direction of his feet, they fell on
the glitcring blade Of knife, which had eScap-
ed from its sheath and was now lying near the
feet of one OF the Indians.
TO reach it with his hands, without disturbing
one Of the Indians to whom he fastened, was
impossible, and it very hazardous to attempt
to draw it up with his feet. This, however, he
attempted. With much difficulty he grasped the
blade between his toes, and after repeated and
long continued efforts succeeded to bring it with
an reach of his hands. To cut the cord was but
tnc work of Il moment, and gradually and silently
cxtricating himself he walked to the fire and sat
down. lie felt but his work was half done. That
If he should attempt to return home without de-
stroying his enemies, he would be pursued and
probably Oyertakcn, when his fat, would be
certain.
TN the other hand, it seemed almost impossible
for single individual to succeed in Il conflict
with five Indians though unarmed and
asleep. He could not hope to deal Il blow with a
knife SO silently and fatally as to destroy each
OF his enemies i'll turn, without awaking the rest.
Their slumbers proverbially light and rest
less-.nd if he failed with single one, he must
be ovcrpowered by the survivors. The knife was
therefore out of the question. After anxious
lection Tor few moments he formed his plan.
The guns of the Indians stacked near the
lire. Their knives and tomahawks were shcathed
by their sides. The latter he darcc not touch for
fear of arousiHg their owners, but the former he
carefully removed with the exception of two, and
hid them in the woods, where he knew the Indians
wcre still sleeping. perfectly ignorant of the fate
preparing for them, and taking one in each hand
and resting the muzzles on loy, within six feet
of his victims, and having taking deliberate aim
ut the head of one and the heart of another, he
pulled both triggers at the same moment. Both
shots fatal.
At the report Of the guns, the others sprang to
their feet glancing wildly around them. McCon-
nell. who had run to the spot where the other
rites were hid, hastily seized one Of them and fir
ed 1T two of his enemies who happened to be
standing in line with each other. The nearest
fell dead, being shot throug the centre of the
body the second fell also believing loudly, bat
soon recovering limped off as fast as possible
The fifth, the only one that remained unhurt,
dartel off like a a deer, with yell that ANNOUNCE
cd equal terror and establishment. Mcconnell
not wishing to fight any more such battles, select
cd his rifle from the stock, and made the best
of his way to Lexington, where he arrived in two
days.
a short time afterwards, Mrs. Dudap, of Fay
cite who had been several months prisoner
among the Indians Mad River, made her es-
cape, and returned to Lexington. She reported
that the survivor returned to his tribe with la
inevitable tale. He stated they had taken fine
young hunter near Lexington and brought him
far the Ohio, that while asleep onthc bank of
the river, party Of white men had fallen upon
in the night, and killed his companions, together
with the deienceless prisoner who lay bound hand
and foot, unable either to escape or resist.
WHY THE PEorLE STAY AT HONE THIS SUMNER.
We elm the following s,,icr and iudiciouS mr..