Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-09-26
An INCIDENT OF BoRaERl,rE,


An INCIDENT OF BoR1ER LIFE,
The old settlers of Kentsoky are familiar
with the name of one Christopher Miller. He
was one Of the bold and danntloss spirits to
'whonHwe are indebted FOR the rescue of oul
State from the dominion of the bold and
blood--thifsty savage. History has re.
corded many herotc &eeds and melancholy
privatioas, but one of the most thrilling and
mysterious dncideTts in his eventfnl life has
never metsear eyes until we found it in Fin
ley's Autobiography and as many of our
readers may never have seen it, we will give
short account of it.
'ChT!stopher Miller, and his brother Henry,
were taken prisoners by the Indians when
shey were quite young, and remained with
them until they had learned many of the GUS
toms OF those wild inhabitants of the forest
They were expert hunters and learned to love
The savage freedom of the ir captors. They
were adopted into an Indian family, and it
seemed they were much attached to their
modc OF living, hunting and fishing being
their chief and almost only employment. FL
naliy, Henry began. when about twenty -four,
10 think of returning to the white settlements,
and he mentioned his thought to Christopher,
but he would not return with him, SO Henry set
out alone, and after much suffering and priva-
tion he reached Kentucky, where he lived for
several years. When in 1895, the Indians be-
coming troublesome, an expedition was gotten
up under Gen. Wayne 10 chastse them, Hen
ry joined this expedition and set out with it.
On the march, Gen. Wayne, in order to avoid
the possibility of an ambuscade, ordered Capt.
Wells TO select four rangers to keep in ad-
vance and reconnoitre the country.
The keen judgment Of Capt. Wells did not
fail 10 detect in Henry Miller the very man
for such an expedition, and he was according
~ selected. During the march Henry found
Ia tn do Ind ha,n
route. On reaching Greenville, General
Wayne, having no intimatons of the subtle foe,
determined to send out Capt. Wells and his
daring comrades to capture an Indian, in or
der that through him the plans of the Indians
might be discovered. They accordingly set
out across the country, crossing the st. Ma
ry's and proceeding to the Auglaize, they
turned up the river for several miles, when
the eyes of the rangers discovered smoke.
hitching their horses, the gallant little band
left two of their party to guard them while
the other three-Henry Miller being one of
fhem-crept along in the direction OF the
smoke, which they found to be on an elevated
piece OF open ground, surrounded by three
indians engaged in roasting venison over
comfortable fire.
They were now far out of gun-shot, and our
gallant rangers discovering fallen tree be-
hind which they thought they could approach
within gunshot of the Indians undiscovered,
retraced their steps, and going around got to
the fallen tree-the top OF which was covered
with leaves-between them and the enemy.
They then stole along as lightly and noise
iessly as panthers, until they reached the
point desired. Here their plan was soon ar
ranged, that Miller and one of his comrades
should each shoot his man, leaving the third
who was swifter than an Indian on foot, to
give chase to and capture the remaing Indian
Miller was to shoot the one on the right,
and his comrade the one on the left.
The sharp piercing crack of two rifles was
beard, and the fated red men lay lifeless on
the ground.
Before the smoke had cleared away, the re-
serve, one McCleland, was far in the direc-
tion of the Indian who was doomed to be cap
tured The Indian observed him as he came
bounding toward him with the swiftness of a
roebuck, and he let off at the top of his speed
mcCietland was rapidly coming up with the
retreating Indian, when coming to a bend in
the river, the latter saw he must soon be over
taken and leaped off the hank into the river,
distance of twenty feet, where he sank I'D to
his middle in the mud. McClelland made
leap on to him, and sunk down in like manner,
when the Indian drew his knife and McCIel.
land his fomabawk.
4 pariey ensued, and the Indian threw down
mis- knife In the meantime Henry and his
companion came up, the two were rescued
iron the mud, and the prisoner bound secure
IL. He appeared sullen and refused to an
swer any questions asked him.
He was then washed to rid him of his coat
Ing OF mud, when it was discovered that thcy
mad taken white man instead of an Indian.
The party returned to their horses, and be-
gan at once to retrace their steps toward the
camp at Greenville. On the journey, the
prisoner continued moody aad silent, until
henfy, iecollectiog that he had brother with
me Indians, and thinking that this might pos
sioiy Dc him, approached and called him by
his lnoian name, when he answered him with |
seeming surprise. and the two brothers imme- |
stately recognized each other, for the prison
e. vas none other than Christoper Miller |
ae bad been in the middle when the fatal mes |
senger Of death had overlook his associates. |
aud by this tri6ing circumstance was saved to |
sns"er the wise ends of an all wise Provi.
oenoe. He returned to Greenville with his
esptors, determined to remain; and afterward
rendered the white settlers the most impor-
Hot AID in their future contests with the willy |
s~ssge: Most Of bis descendants still live in |
mIost and enjoy the fruits of his we'll |
Ssn. and sventful life, and the reputation of