The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-05-14
Kentucky in rs.

.1...- ... -.. kentuCky III 10. ......
All who are conyersant with western history
the history Of that period in Kentucky of the
dark and bloody ground as it was formerly
called, SO replete with danger and misfortune
to the hardy pioneer from the ambuscade as
saults Of the wild and revengeful Indian-have
heard of the old Boonsborough fort Not trace
now remains Of this renowned safehod from
the inroads of the sayage-even the magnih-
cent elm under whose wide spreading branches
the venerable Lythe was accustomed to send
up his voice in humble accents to the God Of
bis fathers, a monument Of other ages which
for centuries has reared its head, and dared
the fury of the elements, has yielded to the in
fluence Of time, and disappeared from its an
cient seat-but the waters of the same river
which washed its base and waited onward the
light bark of the warrior, rolls on in calm and
peaceful waves as in former days-the waters
Of the same spring from which the devoted few
slaked their thirst, now supply the wants of the
neighboring farmer, and the same hills which
overlooked the fort in towering sublimity, and
afforded lurking place for the enemies, now
yielding rich pasturage to the lowing herd
Within the last fifty years the aspect of the
whole scene has been changed-here, where IA
ture's domain was undsturbed, here, where the
hunter fatigued himselfin pursuit of the deer and
bufalo--here, where the forest re-echoed from
Gill to hill with the bowling the wolf and pan
ther and the yell ofthe savage, are finely cutiva-
ted fields teeming with the produce of the farm,
pastures displaying their cultivated verdure-
herds of cattle breathing life to the surrounding
hills, and the hum of busy man coming cheerful
ly upon the ear. For the last time has the war
rior launched his frai boat upon the noble waters
ofthe Kentucky, for the last time has he Sent forth
among its blue hills the war whoop SO terrify
ing to the defenceless settler--here, for the
last time has he been appalled, by the tempest
king, and never again will he bow down on its
banks in supplicatlon to the Great Spirit. His
doom is sealed; he is retiring before the infu-
ence of civilisation as the darkness Of night be-
fore the mornings sun. But his name would
live in the noble State to which he gave title
as in the numerous stories of adventure similar
to the one about to be related.
In the spring of 1775, a year memorable
alike for the commencement of the struggle by
which we were able to throw off the yoke OF
British tyranny, and for the difficulties expe-
rienced by the emiyrant in his efforts to subdue
regions of Kentucky, the Boonsborough fort
was erected on the south bank Of the river, as
defence against the lncursions of the northern
Indians who were jealous of the whites, Justly
fearing that the hunting grounds purchased by
the blood of their fathers would be torn from
them, that farms would be erected upon their
graves, and they themselves hunted down like
the beasts of the forest, and compelled to seek
other homes. For several years after its erec-
ton, the outrages perpetrated indicated that it
was their determination to destroy the different
stations, and thus prevent the further settle
ment Of the country. Among other settle
ments Boonsborough suffered severely, hav-
ing withstood a siege of nine days carried on
by superior force of French and Indians
Our story commences Immediately after the
siege, when the garrison was much weakened in
point of numbers, when it was dangerous to APP
pear outside the picketings as the savages were
concealed in the neighboring thckets, always
ready to fire on those who were SO hardy as to ap-
pear, so unfortunate as to be thrown in their way
The early settlers of Kentucky were composed
of emigrants principally from Virginia and
North Carolina. men who with their families
had left fttheirnative iresides and sought home
in wild and unsettled country, with its atten-
dant trials, privations and DANGERS which were
of no ordinary character-a race Of men who
are fast passing away. They were brave and
energetic, fearless of danger, their best friend
was their rifle, as it was their constant COM
panion for years both in the field and chase,
while not unfrequently> the forest was their
couch, with no covering save the yaulted heav-
ems above. Calculating sel6shness, the usual
consequence of merging from forest 10 re-
fined state of life, is not one of the traits of
character transmitted by them to their posteri-
ty. Brave and magnanImous on the field of
battle, courteous and hospitable at home, the
the reputation of his ancestors for all that is
great, noble and good
Although sixty y-eight years have passed away
since its erection, there still may be seen log
building on the right of the road leading from
the village of Richmond to the ferry at Boons-
borough, half a mile from the latter place. Its
dilapidated appearance, crumbling stone chin
ney and moss covered roof, indicate it to have
been the residence of one of the pioneers of the
country--and such it was. But every thing
Immediately around it, the fallen trees, the lux
uriant underground, and the numberless briar
bushes tell of its desertion and neglect, while
the beatlng sheep and the lowing of the cattle
as they feed upon the rich fields of clover in
the distance, the running to and fro of men in
the corn and harvest field, bespeak the activity
of the hand of improvement. Years ago, and
this was the habitation of ohm Cameron, ma
tive of South Carolina, but of Scotch descent.
Among the first emigrants who had settled in
Kentucky, he assisted in building the fort, but
shortly after its completion, being weary of the
restraint attendant upon the number of fami-
lies living within the enclosure, determined to
make a clearing and erect cabin at a short
distance from the fort, SO that in case Of dis
turbance he might retire to it for protection.
During its investment by the French and In
dians he sought refuge in it, and from some
cause or other, his Improvements escaped the
incendiary torch of the besiegers, SO that upon
the retirement of the main body he again ven
tured out, notwithstanding the advice Of those
who were well acquainted with their treachery.
The Cameron family consisted Of the father,
mother, son and daughter. A succession Of
misfortunes had induced them to leave their ma