The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-07-05
NUMBER 49,
The Escape.
A rHarLL1Ne HISTORICAL NARRATIVES.

Early in the spring Of 1880, Mr.. Alex
ander Mcconnell. Of Lexington, Ky, went
into the woods on foot to hunt deer. He
soon killed large buck, and returned
home for horse in order TO bring IT,
During his absence party Of Eve Indians
in one of their skulking expeditions acs
cidentally stumbled on the body Of the
deer, and perceivinz that il had been re-
Gently killed, they naturally supposed that
the hunter would return TO secure the flesh.
Three Of them, therefore, took their stas
tons within close rife 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. Iafsf
Mcconnell thinking not Of danger, rode
carelessly along the path, which the scouts
were watching, until he had come within
view of the deer when he was fired upon I
by the whole party, and his horse killed.
While laboriDg 10 extricate himself from
the dying animal, he was seized by HE
enemies, overpowered, and borne off q
prisoner. His captors, however, seemed
merry good natured sort OF fellows, and
permitted him to accompany them un.i
bound-and what was rather extraordi.s
nary, allowed him to retain his gun and
hunting accoutrements. Heaccompanied
them with great apparent cheerfulnsssi
through the day, and displayed his. dex.
terity by shooting deer for the use ofthe
company, until they began 10 regard HIM
with great ,par,iality. Having travelled
with him in this manner for several days
they At length reached the bank ofssths,
Ohio river. so e ssisa,sa Ell -
Heretofore the Indians had taksn tho
precaution to bind him at night, although
not very securely, but on that evening he
demonstrated with them on the subject
and complained SO strongly Of the paius
which the cord gave him, that they merely
wrapped the buffalo tug about his WRISTS
and having tied il in an easy knot and
then attached the extremeties Of the rope.
to their bodies, in order to. prevent his
moving without awakening, them, theys
very composedly went 10 sleep. leaving
the prisoner to follow their example or net,
as he pleased. s.:...s. .l,ri;s9sse 50 s.ssd
Mcdonnell determined to effect bis es.,
cape that night if possible. a. on the fol-l
lowing morning they would GROSS the risr.i
or, which would render it moro difficult.
He therefore lay quietly until midnight
anxiously ruminating on the best mesns,
OF effecting his escape. Accidentally cast-i
they fell on the glittering blade Of aknifs.
which had escaped from its sheath and.
was now lying near the feet Of one of ihe
Indians. -, s..sss..s is-s.,
8 TO roach ii with his hands without dis.
turbing the two Indians to whom he was,
fastened was impossible. and it was very
hazardous to attempt TO draw i up with
his feet. This however he attempted
With much difficulty he grasped the blads
between his toes. and after repeated and !
long continued efforts. succeeded in bring
ing il within reach of his hands. To cut !
the cord was but tho work Of . moment
and gradually and silently extricsting
himself he walked to the FIRE and sat,
down. He felt that his work was. half
done. That if he should attempt 10 re-s
turn home without destroying his enemies
he would be pursued and probably over
taken when his fate would be certain. On
the other hand. it would be impossible for.
single individual to succeed in conflict.
with 6ye Indians even though uharmed;
and asleep. He could not hope to deal o.
blow with knife so silently and fatally
without awakening the rest. Their slum-
bers were proverbially light and restless
--and if no Jailed with single one, he
must inevitably be overpowefed by the
survivors. The knife was therefore ont
Of the question. Alter anxious reflection
for q few moments he formed his plar, IS :
The guns Of the Indians were stacked
near the fire. Their knives and toma-
hawks were sheathed by their sides
The latter he dare not touch for fear of
arousing their owners, but the former he
carefully removed with the exception Of
two, and hid them in the woods, he knew
the Indians were still sleeping. perfectly
ignorant of 4he fate preparing for them.
and taking one in each hand and resting
on log, within six feet Of his victims, !.
and having taken deliberate aim at the I
head of one and the heart OF another. he
pulled both triggers at the same moment.
Both shots were fatah Fl
1T the report Of the guns, the otherssi
sprang to their feet glancing wildly ar.
round them.i Mcdonnell, who had runs
TO the spot where the other rifles were hid i
hastily siszed ono Of them and fred sat
two Of his enemies who happened TO bsss
standing in line with each other. Tho 5
nearest fell dead, being shot through thes!
centre of the body; the second fell ALSO
believing loudly, butssoon recovering lim-.F 4
ped off as fast Ms possible. The fitth, the 5.
only one that remained unhurt, dafied off
like deer, with q yell that announced
equal terror and astonishment. McCoa.
nell not wishing to fight any more such |.
hattlaa aeleeted his own ri7a frrm H. .