Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-10-20
PARsoN CUMMINGS WIG.

Abingdon, the county seat OF w ashingtoh
county, Virginia, was settled soon after the
close of the Indian war, and a small fort cal
led Black Fort, was erected on a creek just
south of the village. 1t was nothing more
than rude structure, similar to those usual
ly erected by the carly settlers, and consisted
OF a few log cabins, surrounded by stockade
for defence agrnst predatory bands of Indi-
ans for although the war bad virtually clos
ed, yet occasional parties of warriors would
go out upon the war path, to secure scalps aud
drive off cattle.
Some of the settlers wore adventurous e.
nough to erect their cabins without the pro-
lection of the fort, dsregarding the danger
from the Indians One of these was u man by
the name of Cummings, famiiiarly known
s'Parson Cummings from the fact that he
occasionally preached to the settlers whenever
he happened to be at the fort on Sunday, and
sometimes the good natured parson would
make it his especial GRAND to attend the viii
lagc or fort for that purpose. His cabin was
situated about two and half miles out in a
northwest direction from the village, where
he had cleared few acres and planted his
crops, which promised him an ample return.
On one occasion, alarm from Indians had
driven the settlers TO the protection of the
fort, and among the rest who sought its friend
ly shelter, was the parsOu and his family.
1t happened, after 4 while, from the num-
beTs who had assembled, that the provisions
it was necessary 10 put the members npon
short allowance. As this state OF things could
not long continue without some steps taken 10
supply the deficiency, it WAS decided to send
out party to one of the clearines to obtain
the necessary supplies. Now the parson
good hearted, generous man, and offered TO
conduct party to his clearing. and get from
his fields the required munitions. Accord
ihgly party, embracing so,ne of the most ath
lctic men OF the garrison started with Wagon
for the parsons place. The fear of the Indi-
ans had somewhat subsided, as none had been
seen or heard Of for a number of days, and it
was supposed they had decamped from the
neighborhood. At least this is the most like
~ suppositioD, and in no other way can the
negligence of the party in preparing them
selves for the emergency of meeting the saya-
ges, and their careless manner of proceeding
be accounted for. The party were pursuing
their way. thoughtlessly laughing, talking and
shouting 10 each other, when from a Tasine
which skirted the road, near half mile from
the fort, they received q yoliey from the rifles
of u number of Indians, who, warned of the
approach of the whites by their iuconsiderate
noise had laid an ambush for them at this point
The horses before the wagon were killed, two
or three of the men wounded, and one killed
outright, having received three balls through
his body. The others, entirely unprepared
for such an attack, fed into the bushes and
undertook to eludc the savages, who fired and
then rushed upon the astonished party TO use
the scalping knife. And the scele was an eS-
citing one. The whites, recovering from their
first panic, sprang each to a tree, and endea-
vored to gain the vantage ground thcy had
lost. The respective parties were pretty equal
in numbers, but the Indians had gained the
supremacy in the first onset from the amaze
ment of their opponents; and although they
lost two or three of their number from the fire
of the whites, yet they maintained their sd-
VANTAGE and drove them hack until those who
could were obliged to take to their heels, and
after an exciting race of half mile, they
reached the fort in safety. Those who were
wounded by hiding and dodging, managed to
escape the red skins without further injury.
Bat what became of the parson Well, the
parson, being quite fat, in truth too pursey TO
think of walking far, had taken his seat in the
wagon to drive, and seeing that his horses
would not do any more driving after they were
shot, and believing that
He who fights and runs away,
May live to fight another day,
leaped or rather rolled out OF the wagon and
took to his heels in the most undignified and
unbecoming manner in the world The parson
wore a large, powdered, cur!ed wig, the kind
much worn in olden times, though he did
not use wig because he wished to follow the
fashion but because he perfectly baId-his
head was as bare and destitute of hair
baby's face. As he reached his feet and start
ed TO run, this splendid head of hair a
striking object and attracted the cupidity OF
one of the savages, who determined to secure
so valuable trophy. The parson was not
long in discovering that he an especial OBJ
ject of pursuit, and he urged his clumsy lower
limbs to the utmost; but he soon found he
was no match for the feet red skin, and find
ing him almost to his heels, ducked his head
and crept into the sheltering embrace of
clump of thorny underbrush which grew near.
In doing so, he left the wig which had marked
him out so prominently in the pursuit, upon a
bramble. The Indian, thinking the head was
beneath it, of course, made two bounds, and
his fingers were twined in the copious curls,
and his tomahawk raised to give the fatal blow.
AS he jerked the supposed head aside, how
ever, to strike the supposed victim in the
temple, it was disengaged, and he held in
hand an empty scalp. Picture to yourself,
dear reader, for cannot describe, the look of
that poor dumpfounded Indian as he discover
ed the cheat. and imagine the mingled dis
gust, disappointment, anger, and chagrin with
which he threw it upon the ground, and
stamping upon 1t he exclaimed, "D-d lie 20
and turning, he gave up the chase. He had
probably never before seen wig, and was as
much puzzled as he was disgusted at such
mode of taking scalps.
The parsOn who putting and blowing in
the uncomfortable but friendly clnmp of brush,
as may be supposed, rejoiced at the favorable
close of the adventure. although he could not
help mourning for the loss of his favorite wig
TERRIBLE SUFFERING rRoM THrRsr.-A long