Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-12-13
HistellaneQus.
From the N. Y. Weekly.
Jones and the Robbers.
A Tale Of the Early West.
bf HAZEL GREENE, ESQ.

III cary times, eall Jones, :"
organized party near Louisville. Ky
to GO down and commence sattlcmen
on the Ohio river, in Hardin county; G,
what is now Hardin county. Illinois
The country round about there bore
rather bad name at that cay, for peo
lple generally believed strong band Of
robbers were quartering among the rocks
skirtlng the stream; nevertheless | was
determined to carry out my plans. Rich
specimens of lead and iron ore had been
brought up by boatmen from that region,
with the assurance that it existed in large
quantities. That was the magnet that
drew me thither.
1.-The company organized consisted OF
ten men--all heads Of families. Our
programme Of actio was the first 60 down
ourselves and get ready our cabins, etc;
and then to return for our women and
children
preparations for prosecuting the en-
terprise having been made comple te, a
morning was set for our departure from
the settlement, On the night preceding
It | went to bed as usual, but not os usual
calmly to sleep Something laid heavy
upon my mind, yet knew no. what it
was. 1t occurred to me that there was
danger near at hand, or that something
would occur to prevent our voyage down
the river in the morning. Ny wife, to
whom | unfOlded my thoughts, laughed
at my fears, and being anything bu, su-
perstltious myself, | tried to shake them |
off.
Next morning I found, however, that
they were not wholly without foundation. |
Only two Of my men made their appear
anco epuipIci for the expedition; the
other seven sent word that they had
their minds, and, consequently,
would not accompany me. What was
to be done! Must the enterprise, which
mas cost me so mu:h labor. both men
tally and physically, be abandoned? We
'hr.e consulted together, and, with out
| dissenting voice, resolved to 20 at all
hazards.
Smith and .Stcenc, my only back
RS in the new enterprise, we're both as
esolute as lions. and but little inferior
0 lions in point Of physical ability.
hey we're host within themselves
apable Of telling more trees, choppinc :
Iore logs and splitting 4 larger mum
cr Of rails in day than haf-a- dozen !
rdinary men; and [, myself, was not i
low at such things. knowing our abil- I
y to make mark in the wood-, we q
Quilted not but we would be rs success |
II as if accompanied by our over ner- r
ed neighbors; besides, reasoned We, l
le fever the claimants the Crater the q
-ory. A large canoe was l2alcd up :
iih such articles as our vans in pros t
,cts demanded, and, under the iufu- 0
lee Of buoyant spirits. We padded off {,
,wu the river. In due time, we Ian 0
d at a suitable place some four miles r
low Cave in Rock. and took poses il
like Cortez, in the name Of our v
rereign, but in the name of Jones, c
NTH and Steene. r
/" Our first care after locating, was to z
ect shanty for our own accommoda. 81
IN. This We completed in two days, il
ter which We boarded at home aud slept n
the same place. From the beginning "
II work of improvement was pushed on II
ith giant strides-in six weeks We ex- +
cted to 20 back after our families. A, .
e end Of two weeks nothing had dis. o
rbed US. The robbers so much dread IL
by these living at distance and in per- b.
It safety. had not made their appear
ce. Not human being. save those "
mposing our little party; or, in other V
'rds, our owu trio, and the crews Of 50
0 fatboats, that had hoa,ed down the az
er without landing. had been within "
'ht Ct our new homes, 50 far as We th
ew. The story Of tue robbers began M
be regarded By US as myth, in con-
Iuence of (which we felt entirely secure.
by not: IL robbers really did exist in nj
. vicinity, what had we to fear from af
IN: They robbed for profit, and had ct
y taken it upon themselves to rob US, n,
profit would not have paid the ex as
lse, for We had no yaluables with Us 70
c only score upon which We coult b,
ye the Tent apprehension was, that az
y might wish TO check our operations th
order 10 prevent the encroachment Of d
'ihzation upon their den, er
" AS before stated, two week. passed d.
thou; TIE ls,s. di,turbaoos. A..hs end Ii