The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-01-20
An Old Border Settler.
From story Of early border life, v
take the following:

| ough knowledge of life in the woods, won
| for Joshua Fleehart high reputation
among the first settlers of Western Virgi-
MIA and Ohio. When the Ohio company
founded its settlement at Marietta, in April
ITS, Fleehart was employed as scout
aud hunter. In this service he had no
superior north Of the Ohio. At periods Of
the greatest danger, when the Indians were
known to be much incensed against the
whites, he would start from the settlement
with no companion but his dog, and rang
inc within about twenty miles Of an Indi
an town, would build his cabin and trap
and hunt during nearly the whole season.
| On one occasion this reck less contempt of
| danger almost cost the hunter his life.
| daving become tired of the sameness of
garrison life, and painting for that freedom
among the woods and hills to which he
had ALWAYS been accustomed, late in the
fall of 1898, he took his canoe, rifle, traps
and blanket, with no one to accompany
him, leaving even his faithful dog in the
garrison with his famiy-for he WAS go
ing into dangerous neighborhood, and
he WAS fearful lest his bark might betray
him
With daring and intrepidity, he pushed
his canoe up Sciota river, distance Of
fifteen or twenty miles, into the 1ndisn
country, amidst their best hunting grounds
for the bear and the beaver, where 10
white man had dared to venture. These
two were the main objects of his pursuit,
as the hill. of Brush Greek were said TO
-, Al Ill
that fell into the Sciota were we'll suited to
the haunts of the beaver. The spot chosen
for his winters residence was within TWEEN
ty five or thirty miles of the Indian town
Of Chillicothe, but as they seldom 90 far
to hunt in the winter, he had little to fear
from their Interruption. For ten or twelve
weeks lie trapped and hunted in this soil
tary region unmolested. His success. had
equalled his most sanguine expectations
and the winter passed away so quietly and
so pleasantly, that bs va. hardly aware of
its progress.
About the middl, of February, he be-
gan to make up IL e peltry he had collect
ell into packages, and to load his canoe
with the proceeds of his winters hunt,
which, for safety, had been secreted in the
Willows, a few miles below the little bark
hut in which he had fixed on for his de-
parture. As he was returning to his camp
jus. at evening, Fleehart's acute ears
caught the report of rifle in the direction
of the Indian towns, but at 40 remote a
distance, that none but backwoodsman An
could have distinguished the sound. This
fastened his preparations for decamping
Nevertheless he slept quietly, but rose the
following morning before the dawn. cook
ed and ate his little meal iu bis little hut,
to which he had become quite ATTACHED
TIE sun had just risen, and he was sitting
on the trunk of a fallen tree, examining
the priming and lock of his gun. casually
casting glance up the river bank, he saw
an Indian slowly approaching. with his
eyes intently fixed on the ground, careful
ly inspecting the track of his moccssins
left in the soft earth As he returned to his
hut the evening before. lie instantly
cooked his gun, stepped behind tree and
waited till the Indian came within the
sure range of his shot He then fired,
and the Indian fell. Rushing from the
cover on his PROSTATE foe, he was about
to apply the scalping knife; but seeing the
shining silver brooches and broad bards on
his arms, he fell to cutting them loose,
and tucling them in the bosom of his
hunting shirt. While bu.ly occupied in
securing these spoils, the sharp crack of a
| rifle and the passage Of ball through the
bullet pouch at his side, caused him to
look up, when be saw two Indian. within
hundred yards Of him. They being too
numerous for him to encounter, he seized
his rifle and took to fight.
The other two as he run fred at him
without effect The chase was continued
for several miles by two Of the Indians,
who were the swiftest runners lie often
stopped and "treed," hoping to get a shot
and Kill or disable one Of them, and then
overcome the other at his leisure. Hi.
pursuers also "treed," and by fanking to
The right and left, forced him to uncover
! or stand the chance Of a shot.
He finally concluded to leave the level
| grounds, on which the contest had been
held, and take to the high hills which lie
! back of the bottoms. His strong muscular
| limbs here gave him the advantage, AS he
could ascend the steep hill sides more rap
| idly than bis pursuers. The Indians see
ing they could not overtake him, as last
effort stopped and fired; one of the balls
cut away the handle Of his hunting knife
and jerked it so violently against bis side
that for moment he thought he was hurt
He Immediately returned tie fire, and with
a yell of vexation they gave up the chase
FIeehart made circuit among the hills
and just at dark came on the river, nea,
where the canCe lay hid.
Springing on board he padded dowr
stream. Beirg greatly fa.igued with The
effort of the day, lie laid down in the can
os, and when he awoke III the morning
the boat was just entering the Ohio river
Crossing over to the southern shore, he,
in few days, pushed his canoe up t.
Farmer Castle, without further adventure
where he showed the rich packages of pei
try, as the proceeds of his winters huns
and displayed the brilliant silver orna
ments as the trophies of his victory to III
, envy and admiration of his less venturou
! companions.
Ha who lives honestly will die happy.