The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1857-11-07
Josiah Hunt, the Indian Fighter.

Josiah Hunt, the Indian Fighter.
Tn searching among the records for the perfect type
of that class of men who pre-emlnenty entitled to
the coguomen of Indian fighters have been able
to find none in whose individuality was combined so
many characteristics of the class the person who Is
the subject Of the following sketch
Nature had given Hunt frame of iron mould, and
constitution which no hardship, privaon or suffering
could impair. As hunter he rarely equaied HIS
habits his iuclination his early life and his necessities
all combined to make him expert in the pursuit OF game
Adopting all the craft and cunning of the red men, to
which he added the intelligence of the pale face, he was
awavs successful where others would have despared
By constant and unremitting observation and practice
he could initiate the voices Of all the denizens OF the
forests from the grow and bark Of the bear to the call
of the smallest songser of the vale, and these powers
were of immense service to him in Turing the game, as
we'll as in deceving enemy. As an Indian hghter
he possessed all the subtility and arce of the foe with
the TACT stratagem powers Of concentration and perse
verinp determination of the white No trap, how
ever artfuly and cunningy laid, ever caught him un
prepared and the Indians themselves awarded him the
praise of being the most silent, arttu and dangerous
enemy they ever met
When WAYNE was dispatched into the Northwestern
country to chastse and bring to terms the various tribes
who had leagued together with determination to re-
strict the approach Of the whites to the Ohio River lie
gathered about him Hunt and all the Indian fighters,
scouts spies and hunters whom he could in way IN
duce to join his army.
! While the army was stationed at Grecnylle, in the
winter Of 1894, Hunt employed in furnishing the
tables of the officers with game, and OF course was ex
empted from every other duty lie had carte banche
to 60 and when he pleased, take what he Wished
and do he desired in fact was free OF the tort III
every rSsrcct Tie country with Indians
the fort was watched by aud spies who stationed
themselves in trees the better overlook the garrison
and when person 10 leave note was taken OF
the course he pursued his path ambuscaded, and his
scalp secured. Hunt too cunning for them, how
ever He nvarial y left after dark and when he got
into the woods he used say, without their know
edge, he had as good chance they had. To spend
the night in the woods without fire, during the severe
cold of the winter would have been almost certain DEATH
for no human being could do it without the most i'm
minent danger Of freezing to death To show light
however, was to invite certain destruction. Hunt did
the one without fear of the other His mode Of proce
dure was as follows He would leave the camp about
three hours after dark, and travelling by crcuitous
route for some miles in the direction of the section
where be intended hunt the next day. he would bvouc
for the night.
His arrangements for this purpose made in the
following manner: With his tomahawk he cut hole
in the frozen earth about the size and depth Of hat
crown and after it made to his liking with as little
noise as possible, he prepared roth whe-oak
bark from dead tree, which will retain strong heat
when covered with it's ashes Kindng fire from flint
and steel at the bottom of his coal pit, he termed
it, the bark was severed into strips, which were laid
crosswse in the hole until it was filled After it was
sufficiently gnited, it covered over with dirt, with
the exception of two air holes in the margin, which
could be opened or closed pleasure Spreading down
layer of bark brush to keep him from the ground,
he down with the coal pit between his legs, envelop-
ed himself in his blanket and slept catdozes in up
right position If his fire became too much smothered,
be feshened it by blowing into of the air holes lie
declared that he could make himself sweat whenever he
chose. The swapping of dry twig sufficient to
awaken him, when uncoverng his head he keeny scru-
tinized the surrounding gloomhs rig ght hand on his
trusty rifle, ready for the mischance Of the hour.
As soon as it was light enough to see, he bis
feet, and leaving his camp-ground, would proceed to
hunt for game, keeping at the time, good look
out for the Indians If he discovered deer, he would
slip bullet into his mouth to be prepared to load again
Immediately This his first care, never to be caught
with an empty rife. After shooting his game, he secre
ted himself until satisfied that the report of his piece
had brought Indians into his immediate vicinity, and
would then proceed to skin it and take 1t to the fort
On of these excursions he discovered three In
dians in party proceeding along the base Of ridge or
which he was Quickly concealing himself he took aim
but waited for two of them to get within range, being
willing risk himself with the other. But they con
tinued to march in Indian 1e and although he coult
have killed either Of them, be concluded that th
odds Of would be too great, without gaining
more than the death of one enemy. So he let then
!. pass
! When the army moved forward to the Maumee fo
the purpose of giving battle to the Indians, Hunt wa
with it, and took active part in the action at th
- Fallen Timber.
3 In the midst Of the confusion consequent upon tn
first charge, he about spring fallen tree
when an Indian behind it fred at him close that tn
J. fash almost snged his face He had been obliged t
fire in such haste, however, that he missed his aim al
though the ball passed between the and the head
the hunter making his ring fer an hour afterward
As soon as he had fred the Indian sprang up and dart
), ed off at his utmost speed, running zlgzag like tn
worm Of fence, dodgng up and down, and endeavor
ing in every way to escape the ball from his enemy
J. rifle He knew the he had fred at, and he kne'
is that he never missed his mark. His body was makes
l. from his waist upward, and had bright red srea
u painted up and down the back, which afforded prom
X nent mark for an experienced shot Hunt sprang
the tree and threw his rife into the hollow of his should
Of er, excIaimng Hold on monen stranger killdee
70 has got word to say to you aud taking aim al tn
Of red stripe he seized the moment when the Indian wa
,c rising his feet and fred Although snapshot,
at was an cfectual one, aud the red skin fell dead
y. At the treaty of GreeEvilie, il 1885, the Indian
seemed to consider Hunt the great to Wayn
% himself They inquired for him, gathered around hin
aud loud and profuss in their praises and conpl
in ments Great man, Captain Hunt--great warrior
good hunting man '.dAn can kill They inform