Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-05-16
Captain Jack, of the Juniata.
J. NJ, in.

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Rural Retreat. JIM, in.
Captain Jack, of the Juniata.
Zone of he most prominent ranges of highlands in
Central Pennsylvania, known AS JACKS MOUNTAIN,
extends from Scottsvie in Huntingdon county the
whole length Of Miu county, almost to New Berlin in
Union county-a distance of seventy mrs-hroken only
by the Juuiata river above Newton Hamilton, and by
the Kishaco9uas creek at Red vile. JONES History
Of the Early settlement Of the Junata Valley recently
Published the following account Of the person from
whom Jacks Mountain is said to be enamed-EDCHEoNI
Among the first settlers in Aughwick
Valley was Captain Jack, certainly one of
the most noted characters of the day. He
was white man, of almost Herculean
proportions, with extremely swarthy com
pexiou; in fact, he was supposed by some
to be a halfb Indian, aud by others a
quadroon. His early history and his real
name are altogether shrouded in mystery.
He fourished about Shirleysburg between
1850 and 1852, when, with two or three
companions, he went to the Juniata and
built himself cabin near a beautiful
spring. His sole pursuit, it would appear,
was hunting and fishing, by which he pro-
cured the means of subsistence.
Late one summer evening, returning
with his companions from fishing excur-
sion, Captain Jack found his cabin in
ruins, and his wife and two children muir
dered! From that moment be became an
altered man, roaming the woods alone,
sleeping in caves, hollow logs, or wherever
he could 4iud shelter. The loss of his
family no doubt crazed him for time, as
he did not appear among the settlers until
the fall of 1888 In the interim, however,
he was frequently seen, and we may add
frequently felt, by the savages. There Is
reason to believe that on the discovery OF
the wrongs done him, he made vow to
devote the balance of his life to Staying
Indians. If he did, right faithfully was
his VOW kept, for his fame spread far and
wide among the redskins. The settlers
about Aughwick, as well as those in Path
Valley and along the river, frequently
found dead savages, somo III state OF par
tial decay, and others with their flesh
stripped by the bald-eagles and their bones
bleaching in the sun on the spot where
Jacks rifle had laid them low.
On one occasion, he lay concealed IN
the woods by the side of the Aughwlck
path, when a painted warrior, with red
feather waving from his head, his body
bedizeued with gewgaws recently purchased
from trader, came down the path-a
crack from Captain Jacks rifle, and the
savage bounded into the air and fell dead
without groan. 1t appears that three
others were in company. but had tarrled
at a spring; on hearing the discharge OF
the rife, being under the impression that
their companion had shot a bear or deer,
they gave loud "whoop." Jack imme-
diately loaded, and, when the Indians came
up to the dead body, he shot aud killed
second one. The survivors then rushed
into the thcket, aud one Of them, getting
glimpse of Jack, shot at him, but missed
Seeing that the chances we're desperate,
Jack jumped out and engaged in hand
tc.haud encouuter-the fourth savage
being only armed with tomahawk. lie
soon despatched the third by beating his
brains out with his rifle; but the fourth,
an athletic fellow, grappled, when long
fight followed, and only ceased when both
were exhausted by the loss of blood. The
Indian managed to get away, leaving JACK
the victor on the field of battle. Weak
and faint though he was, he sealped the
three savages, fixed those trophies upon
bushes overhanging the path, and then,
without deigniug to touch their gewgaws
or their arms, managed to work his way to
the settlement, where his wounds, consist
ing of eight or ten stabs, we're dressed
1t is said that one night the family OF
an Irishman named Moore, residing IN
Aughwick, was suddenly awakened by the
report of gun; on opening the door, they
found dead Indian lying upon the very
threshold. BY the feeble light which shone
through the door, they discovered the dim
outline of Captain Jack, who merely said,
II have saved your lives" and disappeared