Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-06-04

of liberty broke out, his treasures flowed
like water to support Washington in his
tremendous campaigns. Matte did not re-
pine when she saw their riches melting
away in the fervor of that glorious cause
"Let the gold GO" she said; and the gold
did 60, and when America was free, it was
all gone, and William Smith found him.
self beggar! But he was not sorrow
ful: for over the Allegheny Mountains
was the country of Kentucky = beau
tiful land, with fertile soil and timber,
and water and game abounding. There
they might settle, and thither were many
going who had lost their possessions in the
terrible but sacred war
In the spring of 1884, fifty emigrants
assembled in Powell's Valley, on the from
tiers of the old colony. They were to
journey in company over the mountains,
for mutual defense, for the swarthy tribes
of Indians still hovered over the regions,
revenging on the white men that long IIiad
of calaniities which had fallen on their
race.
The caravan went forward. 1t passed
through wild territory, among mountains
and defiles, with the shaggy forests still
throwing their primeval shadows over the
slopes. AT distance there was known
to be settlement where provisions might
be obtained. Smith, with small party,
went in advance to bring back supplies for
the rest. He was six days away. The
remainder had promised to await his return
in sequestered little valley. To that he
came with his companions. There were
traces of the camp, and marks of conflict,
but no living being stirred there-no voice
could be heard, no welcome of the dear
ones he had left. a confused and broken
trail showed that the emigrants were in
full retreat for the Clinch river, to regain
the more populous district they had quit
ted. Smith hurried after them. "Where
is my wife-whero are my children? ?' he
asked of the first straggler he came up to.
"You will find them where you left them.
Ask the Shawanees; they can tell you the
rest"
"You have neglected your trust-they
are murdered" said Smith, in stern and
deliberate, yet trembling voice. 'and yet
you are retreating, you towards p he added
md struck the man TO the ground. Then
he turned back, road alone TO the abandon
ID camp in the valley, and there in the
evening he was found, looking with tear
ess eyes, but a counteance more mournful |
han weeping could make it, on the lost and
he loved-Mattie and her children.
Smith with his own hands dug their
yraves-with his own hand he laid them
'ide by side: his first-born on the mothers
right hand, his youngest on her bosom
where it had been nursed and nestled so
long. And then he stood for few mo-
ments looking upon this last couch made
for their earthly rest, and filled the grave,
and piled stones to mark the spot, and
bade adue TO the love in which his heart
had made its homn. His ccmiale; We c
standing around in silence. They expect
ID that when he had finished he would fol-
ow them. But he walked about the site
If the camp, and found where the Indians
aad come and gone. Then he shouldered |
MS rifle, waved his hand solemnly, and |
speaking no farewell, disappeared on the
rail of the Shawanees.
From that hour strange mystery sprang
Up among those mountains. There was
,nown to dwell on them lonely hunter
white man-who was seen occasionally
~ the Indians, or by some solitary trapper,
Ilways with rifle in his hand, but per-
etually silent, never speaking one word to
my. Ifhe was addressed he turned and
into the woods. Gradually he
vas lost sight of altogether, except to
Daniel Boon, that far-famed hunter, whose
lame is familiar over the whole continent
# America. Daniel Boone was believed
. have frequent interviews with him, and
D supply him with powder and ball,
ut he never spoke of him, and only replied
, questions by shaking his head and touch
lg his brow with his finger.
This went on for two years, and men
ad almost forgotten Bill Smith. But at
he end of that time Shawanee Indian was
aiken prisoner by the people of Boon's fort,
nd he once more revived the excitement
S to the mystery of the Silent Hunter
1e said that terrible spirit had for two
ears haunted the war path of the Shaw
nees-an evil demon, whose sight was APP
alling to their nation. More than thirty
f their braves had already fallen under
is hand. This fearful Medicine Man was
snt they believed, 10 punish them for
ome portentous sin. So dreaded had he
ecome, that the tribe had met, and were
early determined to quit forever their an
lent hunting-grounds in Kentucky. When
sked whether they had ever seen this de-
non, they said they had never seen it
istinctly, though their young men had
ursued it often, and always came back
18th one, at least, of their number missing.
It length none dared TO follow the terri
10 apparition.
After this story hsd been rumored abroad, {
len began again to speak of Bill Smith s
hey spoke of him, however, with an un- i
dread, and always in a low !
oice. The Shawanees Ead been formerly :
ne of the most formidable and best organ ,
ed of the red nations. They now became i
mid, and carried on the most desultory I
arfare. They were beaten by every hos ,
le tribe, for whenever battle took place, {
le Silent Hunter made his appearance sud
lly, fighting with their enemies. If they {
stacked fort, he was always among the ;
if they defended stronghold,
. was never away, but regularly headed {
le assailants. But he came and went
itho,,t crnaLinor He never erected any | i