The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-12-07

that sheltered Cornplanter from Brady's
bullets was pointed out to me by the old In
dian. IN recent trip down this river. 1t is
known as Cornplanter's Rock. The old In
dian gave me the story, with a sad and de-
jected countenanee, in broken English:
Alas, how changed the scenei Where
then the sheeny tide of the beauteous Allie
gheny parted only to the swift-skimming
birchen canoe, and echoed to the wild voices
that came out of the dense, dark forest, now
is heard the shrill whistle of the steam-pipe,
and the rushing of the mighty steamer;
where the tawny savage then reclined upon
the shady banks from the pursuit of the
deer, the panther, and the bear, or rested
from the war path, is now the scene of life
and activity.
"Chieftains and their tribes have perishsd
Like the thickets where they grew"
One of the early pioneers who owed the
preservation of his life to Brady, was VIM.
Bailey, who died in Robinson township,
Washington county, in 1892. He was, at
the time of his death, no less than 81 years
of age. He and four others were engaged
in the harvest field in reaplng, when they
were suddealy attacked by a large party of
Indians, numbering about 80. This was on
the 16tn day of July, 1880. All the others
save Bailey were killed. Two of them we're
brothers by the name of Shaffer. The names
of the others we have not ascertained. With
that singular whimsicality which often
marked the conduct of the Indians toward.
the whites during the border wars, they pre-
served Bailey's life.
They soo2 afterward began their march
toward the Ohio. They had concealed no
less than thirteen birch canoes in the woods
upon its southern bank. The place where
they hid them lies below the mouth of Rae
coon creek, a small tributary of the Ohio,
putting into that river a few miles below
Fort Mcintosh. They reached their canoes
about midday. Bailey's hands had been
kept tied behind his back from the hour be
was taken up to this time. He had suffered
intensely from this cause as we'll as from
hunger, not having tasted food for twenty
four hours.
When the Indians got their canoes launch
ed, they put Bailey into one of them, tied
him by the neck to a line of bark drawn
across the top of the canoe, and began to
cross the river.
Before their return to the Ohio, Brady,
with some scouts, had discovered their trail,
and followed it to where their canoes were
hid. He sent one of his men to Fort McIu-
tosh for assistance. He knew that the In
dians were numerous. His knowledge Of
woodcraft, and the number of canoes, indi-
Gated the presence of an unusually large
party. A Captain Erwin (if we mistake
not the name) was despatched with about
forty men. These, added to the spies, made
about forty-fVe in all. Under Brady's ad-
vice, they concealed themselves on the north
erR bank, and quietly awited the return OF
the Indians. The order was not to shoot
till the Indians came close into the shore,
when a most deadly FIRE could be poured in
upon them.
The Indians had got about two-thirds
way across the river when a white man,
contrary to orders, fred. The others were
thus compelled to fire. This fire drove the
Indians from their boats into the river.
The Indian who had charge of Bailey,
sprang out of the canse, and left his pris-
oner exposed to the fire of the whites.
Bailey supposed the Indian was wounded
from the fact that he used but one arm in
swimming. The prisoner himself, whilst
endeavoring to disengage his person from
the canoe, sunk it, and being tied to it by
the neck, was in the greatest danger of
drowning. He courageously kept his head
above the water and cried Justify for assist
ance.
Brady heard his cries, threw down his
between his teeth, and cut him loose. Bailey
was a good swimmer and soon reached the
shore.
The Indians lost the plunder they had taken,
their canoes, and, in most instances their
guns. There were number of them killed,
and it is supposed that most of them were
wounded. As soon as they were attacked,
their leader called to them in loud tone to
dispsrse. Accordingly, those who succeeded
in reaching the opposite shore, and were
able to travel, scattered in all directions.
This partial victory might have turned
into a complete triumph, had it not been for
the imprudence of the soldier who discbey-
ed orders. He deserved to have been most
signally punished. There is little doubt
the frontiersmen treated him with that con-
tempt and scorn which is worse than ply
ical punishment to mind not perfectly
callous to the higher and better sentiments
of human nature.