The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-01-02
Thrilling Incideniia Border Life

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The old settlers of Kentucky are "a
miliar with the name of Capt. Christopher
Miller. He was one of those bold and
Idauutless spirits to whom we are indebted
for the rescue Of the State from the do.
milion of the bold aud bloodthirsty saw
age. History has recorded many of his
heroic deeds; but one of the most thrilling
and mysterious incidents in his eveptful
| life has never before met our eyes, until
we met it in Flnley's autobiography, and
as many of our readers may never have
seen it, we will give a short account OF it:
Christopher Miller aud his brother
Henry were taken prisoners by the In,
dians, when they were quite young, and
fremaiued with them until they had learned
many of the customs Of these wild inhab,
itants of the forest. They were adopted
into an Indian family, and it seemed ill.,,
deed they were much attached TO their
mode of life. huntng ana fishing being
their chief and almost only employment,
Finally, Heary began. when about TWEEN
ty four, to think about returning to the
white settlements; aud he mentioned his
thoughts to Christopher, but he would
not think of returning with him, so Hen
ry set off alone, aud after much suffering,
and privaton he reached Kentucky, where
be lived for several years; when, IN 1894.
the Indians becoming troublesome, IN
expedition was gotten up under General
Wayne to chastise them. Henry jonea
this expedition. and set out with it On
the march, Gen. Wayne, in order 10 pre-.
vent the possibility of an ambuscade, or
.dered Capt. Wells to select four rangers
to keep in advance aud reconnoitre the
country.
The keen Judgment of Capt Wells did
not fail to detect in Henry Miller the
very man for such an expedition. and he
was accordingly selected: Daring the.
march. Henry found little to do, no In
dians hsipg found on the route. On
reaching Greenville, Gan Wayne, having
no intmation as to the future Intentions
of the subtle foo, determined to send out
Capt. Wells and his daring comrades to
capture an Indian, in order that through.
him the plans of the Indians might be
discovered. They accordingly set out
across the country, crossing st. Mary's,
and proceeding to the Auglaize, they
turned up the river for several miles.
when the keen eyes of the rangers dis
covered smoke. Htching their horses,
the gallant little band lef. two of their
party to guard them, while the o, her three,
Henry Miller being one of them. crept
along In the direction of the smoke
which they found to DO on an elevated
piece of open ground, surrounded by three
Indians engaged in roasting venison ever
the fire. 6@
They were now far out of gunshot, and
our gallant rangers discovered fallen
tree. behind which they thought they
could approach to within ganshot Of the
Indians undiscovered. re- traced their
steps. and going around, got to the fallen
tree the top Of which was covered with
tleaves-between them and the enemy.
They then stole along noiselessfy, until
they reached the pent desired Here
their plaa was quickly arranged. 1t was
agreed that Miller and one of his com
rades should shoot his man, leaving The
third, who was swifier than an Indian. on
foot to give chase to, and capture the
remaining Iudian.- Miller was to shoot
the one on the right, aud his comrade the
Que on the left fa9ts-- }2ii2 81
The sharp pisreing crack OF two rifles
was heard, and the futed red men lay life
less on the ground.
| Before tho smoke cleared away, the re-
serve one McCelland, was far in the di
rection of. the Indian who was doomed to
be captured. The Indian observed him
as he came bounding towardshm, and he
set off at the top of his speed. McClel-
land was rapidly coming Hp with the re
treating Indian. when coming to bend
in the river, the latter saw he must he
overtaken. and leaped off tn. bank into
the river q distance of twenty feet, where
he sank up to his middle in the mud
Nc Clellahd made leap on to him. and
sank down III like manner, when the In
dian drew his knife. and McCleIland his
tomahawk. parley ensued. and the
iudiana threw down his knife la the
meantime, Henry and his companion
came up, the two were rescued from the
mud, and the prisoner bound securely
He appeared sulien, and refdsed to an.
swer any question asked him. He was
then washed to rid him of his coating of
mud, when it was discovered thatsthey
had taken white man instead of an In,
dian. The party returned to their horses,
and began at once to retrace their steps
towards their camp at Greenville. On
the journey the prisoner continued moody
and silent, until Henry, knowing that he
bad brother with the Indians, and think.
|ingothis might possibly be him., he, ap-
preached aud called him by his Iu2ian
name. when be answered with seeming
sarprise, the two brothers immediately
Recognized each other, foP the prisoner
was none other than Christopher Miller.
lie returned to Greenvilie with his cap.