Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-01-17
From the Hcspcrian.
MURDER OF NICHOLAS CARPEN-
TER BY THE INDIANS IN 1901.

%A 4NDCN OF NlCHOLAS CAkFENs .
TER BY TIE INDIANS IN 1891.
NY DR.. 8. p. UILDRErH, OF MARIETTA.
At broad expanse of the Ohio river,
six miles above Marietta, is spot we'll
known to all steamboat pilots in low sta
ges Of water, by the name of " Carpen-
ter's Bar 1t took its name from a ira
gical affair which was transacted on a
small run which puts into the river on its
left bank. against the bar, called " Car
penter's Run" At the first settlement
Of Marietta, in l7"8, the inhabitants ha-
wing migrated from distant part of the
Union, were not in condition to bring
many domestic cattle with them, and what
they did bring, we're nearly all stolen
from them, or shot down in the woods,
by the Indians. This state Of destiIuLion
for several years after opened favorable
market for the cattle Of the older settle
mentS, on the western branch Of the Mo
nongahela river, in the vicinity of the pre-
sent town Of Clarksburg. in Virginia.
Considerable quantities we're also consul
med by the troops at Fort Harmar. In
that region, especially on Elk and the
West Fork, settlements had been made
as early as the year l772, and many large
farms were opened and numerous herds
Of cattle grown on the rich hills which
have been SO justly celebrated for their
fine pasturage. It's distant about eighty
miles, in nearly due east direction, from
the mouth of the MuSkinyum. Several
droves had been sent in as early AS the
year 1890.
Among others engaged in this business,
was Nicholas Carpenter, native Oi Lam
caster county, Pennsylvania, who had
been among the first settlers of this re-
mote region. lie was a man Of great en-
ergy and activity, and took the lead in
all business transactions, having not ouly
large farm with eighty or one hundred
acres under cultivation, but Il small store
of dry goods. He carried on Il smilhy,
and gun-makiur, at which ne worked
himself; aud also employed q halter,
shoemaker and clothier, all ON his own
premises and for so remote spot. and
80 early dav, he may we'll be consider
ed a man OF Importance TO society. lie
was not only a business man, but also, in
the strictesC sense, a pious man. At the
period Of the event about to be described
he WAS the father of eleven children, all
by one mother. In those days such fam.
lilies were not uncommon. Everything
was in its prime, the virgin earth brought
forth by handSiul, and mankind multiple
ed rapidly, from their simple food and ac
tive lives; and none the less so from the
dangers to which they were exposed
As 4 sample OF the fccundjty Of the eli
mate, there we're living, about thirty year:
since, little below the mouth Of Fist
creek, on the Ohio, two brothers, whose
united progeny amounted to forty seven,
one having twenty-Gour and the other 2S
children. The two families filled schoo
house. They, however, had each of then
a second wife.
The last Of September, in the yearl79l
Mr.. Carpenter s,arLcd for Marietta, will
a large drove Of cattle, which place ht
had visited twice before on the same &C
count. He had in company with him, tt
assist in driving them through the wilder
ness, by path on each side of which thu
trees had been marked, five men, and hi
little son, Nicholas, then only ten year.
old. lie WAS an uncommonly active boy
of his age, and often traversed the wood
on horseback to the distance Of twenty o
thirty miles, all alone, on tn business o
his father. AS the Indians were nov
hostile, he was told Of the danger by hi
mother, who was very reluctant 10 th,
journey but he plead SO earnestly to 90
playfully answering TO her fears, that h
could easily escape on his little horse, i
attacked, which was very swiIt-footed
that she finally consented. The name
Of the men who accompanied him, wer,
Jesse Hughes, George Leggit, John Paul
Burns and Ellis. they had travelled
three days without any signs of danger
and approached within a short distance o
the Ohio river, and six miles only from
Marietta, when they encamped at evening
on small run not far from its mouth
considering themselves as safe from at
tack' and their journey in manner end
ca Ihelr horses were hopplei, and suf
tered 10 iced in the vicinity of the camp
onthe wild pea vines and tall plants will
which the woods We're filled at that dav
while the cattle lay round and browsed
or rumlnated as they pleased, alter thei
long travel. After supper, the men la,
quietly down by the fire, and soon fel
asleep.
1t SO happened, that not far from tn
nme OF their leaving home, a maraudin,
party OF six Shawnee Indians, headed a
was afterwards ascertained, by Tecnm
;sen' then about twenty years of age, an,
ultimately SO celebrated for bravery m,
talents, had crossed the Ohio river nea
Belvllle. They had left the old CL;6;cc
the town, on the waters of Paint crooI
with the intention of visiting the sstrle
uents on the west branch Of the Nonor