The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-09-26

ever, was no common man. In the NOR
ming he arose cheerfulIy and pursued his
journey. Although guarded with vigi-
lance, his few wants were gratiied as far
as they could be, and he was treated with
respect and kindness. The trail being
narrow, as arc all Indian highways, Burr
rode in the middle, having one part of the
| guard in front, and the other behind him,
all in single file. The route lay about
eight miles south of the present city of
Montgomery, then an Indian town called
Enconeharte; meaning Red Ground
In 1911, General Wade Hampton cut
out the Federal road along this trail,
which was well known to early settlers as
the only highway in South Alabama
The guard passed by the side of the pres
ent Mount Meigs, and stopped at the
house Of 'old Milley,' the former wife of
a British soldier, who with her husband
in ITO, left the barracks at Savannah,
and came to the Greek nation She had
long been resident of these Wild woods,
now lying in the county of Montgomery
Her husband at this time, colored man
named Evans, was employed by Perkins
TO pilot the party across the dangerous
creeks, Line, Cabahatchee, and Calabee,
all of which they had to swim 1t was a
fatiguing and perilous march, and for days
the rain descended in chilling torrents up
on these unsheltered horsemen, collecting
in rivulets, and swimming them at every
point. Hundreds of Indians thronged the
trail, and in moment the party could
have been shot down; bat the fearless
Perkins bore on his distinguished prisoner,
AMID angry elements and human foes. In
their journey through Alabama they al
ways slept in the woods, near swamps of
reed, upon which their belied and hobbled
horses fed during the night. After hast
lily prepared breakfast, it was their custom
again TO remount, and march on in gloomy
silence, which was sometimes broken by a
remark about the weather, the creeks, or
their horses.
Col. Burr was q splendid rider, sitting
firmly in the saddle, and always on the
alert he was also q hardy Traveller. Al
though wet for hours with cold and clam
my rain, riding forty miles day, and at
night stretched upon the bare ground upon
a thin pallet, yet in the whole distance to
Richmond, the impenetrable Aaron Burr
w'.s never heard to complain that he was
sick or even fatigued. At the Chatahoo-
chic was crossing place, owned by an
Indian named Marshal. The effects of
the expedition we're carried over the river
in canoes, and the horses swan alongside.
In this manner they crossed the Flint and
Ocmulgee. Arriving at Fort Wilkinson,
on the Oeonee, they entered the first ferry
boat they had seen on the whole route.
A few miles further on they were sheltered
by the first civilized roof-a house of en-
tertainmcnt kept by one Bevin While
breakfast was preparing, and while the
guard were seated around large fire, the
host, like all publicans on the highway.
inquired from whence they came. As
they were from the 'Bigbee settlements,
he Immediately fell upon the fruitful theme
of the trait9r Aaron Burr. lie asked if
he had been taken, was he not a very bad
man, and wasn't everybody afraid of him?
Perkins and his party were very much an
noyed and embarrassed, and made no re-
ply. Burr was sitting in a corner by the
fire with his head down; he now raised it,
and planting his fiery eyes upon Bevin
said: L am Aaron Burr; what is it you
WANT with me!' Bevin, struck with his
appearance, the keenncss of his look, the
solemnity and dignity of his manner, stood
aghast and trembled like leaf He ut
tered not another word while the guard
remained at his house.
When Perkins reached the confines Of
South Carolina, he watched Burr more
closely than ever. In this State lived
Burr's son-ln-law, Col. Joseph Alston, a
man of talents, wealth and influence, and
afterwards Governor of the State Per
kins, upon reaching the frontiers of Geor-
gia, endeavored to convey the prisoner by
in-roads, and to avoid the towns, lest he
should be rescued. The plan was attended
with difficulty-they were lost often, the
march impeded, and the highway was
again resumed. Just before entering the
town of Chester Court House, in South
Carolina, the party halted. Two men
were placed before Burr, two on either
side and two behind, and in this manner
they passed near tavern in the street,
where many persons were standing, while
music and dancing were heard in the
house. Seeing the assembly of men so
near him, Col. Burr suddenly dismonnted
and exclaimed in loud voice, lam 1a-
ron Barr, u1ader military arrest, and claim
the protection Of the civs5 authorihes.p Per-
kins Immediately dismounted with several
of the guard, and ordered him to remount.
Burr said: II acsW not Not wishing to
shoot him, Perkins threw down his pistols,
and being man of prodigious strength,
and the prisoner small man, seized him
around the waist and placed him in his
saddle as though he were child. Thos.
Malone seized the reins of the horse,
slipped them over his head, and led Burr
rapidly on The astonished citizens of
Chester Court House had seen party
enter with q prisoner, and heard him an