The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-11-17

and seeing his brother, called to him to shoot
the big Indian upon shore. Andrews gun
was empy.--Fortunately Big Foot had seized
the gun with which Adam had shot the lesser
Indian. The contest now was who should
load first. Big Foot poured in his powder
first, but drawing his ramrod in too great a
J hurry, threw it into the river, and while he
ran to recover it, Andrew had gained an ad-
vantage. ..
Still the Indian was but second too late,
for his pun was at his shoulder when Adams
ball entered his breast. The gun dropped
from his hands, and he fell forward upon his
face upon the very brink of the river. An
drew was alarmed for his brother, who was
scarcely able to swim, threw down his gun,
and rushed into the river to assist his brother
TO the shore; but Adam, more intent upon So
curing the scalp of Big Foctr az trophy,
than his own safety, called upon his brother
to leave him alone and scalp the big Indian,
who wcs now endeavoring to roll himself into
the water. Andrew refused to obey, and in
sisted upon saving the living before atten-
ding to the dead. Big Foot, in the mean
time, had succeeded in reaching the deep
water before he expired. Not a man of the
Indian party had escaped. Five Of Big Fooi's
brothers, the flower Of the Wyandott nation,
had accompanied hlm in the expedition, and
all persisted.
Adam Poe recovered Of his wounds, and
lived many years after this memorable event.
He was the grandfather Of the Rev. Adam
Poe, now the book agent Of The Methodist
Episcopal Book Concern, in Cincinnati.
The great loss sustained by the Wyandott
nation in the death of the Big Foot brothers,
ere atcd an implacable hatred toward their
destroyers. Many an Indian malediction had
bee n poured on the head of Adam Poe, and
many prize had been offered for his scalp.
The residence of Adam Poe, was on the
west bank Of the Ohio river, at the mouth OF
, Yellow creek, and we'll known to the Indians.
/, 1t seemed, however, that none of t e nation
possessed sufficient courage to encounter him
alone for long time.
i At length the nation made choice Of their
bravest warrio in the person of Rhon-Yan-
ness, one ftheir chiefs. Having made oil
the preparation necessary for the accomplish
ment Of his mission, he started on foot for the
residence of Poe. After passing through the
then wilderness Of Ohio, on the bank OF which
his intended victim lived. No sooner had he
placed his foot within the door of Poe, than
he was received with the utmost cordiality
and friendship, while every hospitality that
the cabin afforded was tt ndered 10 the lnd-
an guest. When the time for retirement to
rest had come, there being but one room and
one bed, Poe made comfortable pallet for
lthesIedlan on the floor by the fire,af,er which
) he Hf,d his wife retired to rest, without any
suspitionin regard to the design of the In
dian. M ........ ..., ..
1t was now n time of peace, and the lndi-
ans, particularly the Wyandotts, were re-
garded as friendly. 1t was not long till they
Both fell asleep When Rh on-Yan-ness rose
stealthily from his couch, and proceeded eau
. tiously with his tomahawk and scalping knife
!, to the bedside of the unconscious seepers. -
, Scarcely had he arrived at the spot than his
+ kindness of his host flashed upon his mind.
"How," thought he, can | pcrpetrate an act
/ OF such cruelty upon one who has taken me
into his wigwam, and treated me with SO
=, much kindness and friendshipF' The better
/ feelings of his nature oyercame him, and he
found it impossible toe commit the act. Tho
. itamight be honor for him with his nations as
-. tie ayengcr of the death of Big Foot, he eonlt
, not nerve himself up to such pitch OF des
. peration as to oblterate all the gratitude ci
j his hl art. With these feelings he crept soft
i ly back to his bed.
He had not lain long until the question
, came upon him in somewhat of diileren
, aspect. lie reasoned thus-"Huvi you no,
. been solemnly setsurart by the nation to a
{ ;,,
t will not the ghosts Of the departed haunt you
in chase in the wilderness until tits appeaset
BY the death of Poe" At this, Rhon- Yam
i. ness again seized his deadly instrument an'
# sprane to his feet,r,it was now past mid
r night, and all " ssestll. The light ortne fire
O had gone out, and there were only few bur
q ming Goals left upon the hearth, from which
j. was emitted askind of twilight 6 lare that ena
. bled him to gaze upon the features his vic
n tim. Summoning all his courage, he raise
> the fearful tomahawk, and was about 80 bu
n ry it in the head of his host, when semethin!
~ whispered "Shame on the indian that ca
i strike friend Mean anc cowartf is tn
', wutrior who will kin an enemy thai has trea
~ ted him skindly." His heurt faltered, hi
e. hand trembled, and the tomah awk tell by hi
il side. Without disturbing the family, he re
turned to his pallet, and dismissngaa t. o.,
~ Of revenge, he slept soundly till morning.
III Poe rose early and made his fire withou
ne disturbing his guest, who was in heav
nd slumber When it was fully day, ard tn
: bright FIRE blazed around, he had an opportu
< unity of gazing upon the broad, open feature
10 Iof the manly Indian whose giant iorms wa
m before him. There he lay, with his toma
r. hawk and scuping-knIfe by his side. Pa
of understood enough of the Indian Character
he know that in the days ofspesfe they wer
nd ,apable of the most sincere and lasting frient
ship; and though he had measured arms wit
~ them in the deadly strife, they were more siI
,is ned against than SHINING, and whatever crl
In elites they might have, committed, were q
a. cited by the depredations of the white maj
IA hence he loved the Indian, and had often b.
ne walled che fate Of Big Foot and his brother
in Anxious to enjoy the society Of his India
he guest, he approached him, and gently touc
inn him sait softy "W AXE, brother, wake