The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-12-22
Nathan RatliH,


his home on the Massissinewa. He was |
agenuine type Of the hospitabie. whole
souled, brave pioneers of our Western
country, who are rapidly passing away
and settling the happy lands above,
where all who have +-done weif' On !
earth, are sure of an eternal abode.
Himself and wife, cmigrated from
North Carolina, in 1915, bringing al. |
their worldly goods on one pack-horse
his wife riding ON the animal occa-
sionally TO rest. They took up their
abode In cabin on the farm of Corne-
Tins Ratiiif's father, then residinga short
distance from the present site of this
city, where they lived about three or
four years. During this time, Nathan
kept his own and his brothers family
abundantly supplied with venison, bear
and wild turkey meat. Being also an
expert trapper, he caught all the Offers
ut that time on Whitewater-at least
there has been none caught here since
+ his day, though the e were plenty then.
Corn eiiua tells Tia that the first fur hat
he ever wore, be procured by catching
u,inks in traps made by his cousin-he
bartcred the mink skins for the hat with
Eli Brown, who was then carving on
the hating business in the then village
Of Richmond.
Frequently in his hunting aud trap
ping excursions, Cornelius Ratlif &C
companied him. who says that Nathan
never failed to bring down the "big
game'-always giving the freedom of
the woods TO the numerous squirrels,
pheasants and squails then SO plenty in
this part OF the country. He went, for
deer, bear, wolves, offers and minks, and
seldom returned home empty handed
AT the time we speak of, from rs to rs,
the Indians roAmcd throughout the
Whitewater Valley, and their camps and
wig vans werelocated by the sides OF
almost every stream and spring. With
the Indians, the "Quaker Hunter of
Whitewater was always on the most
friendly and intimate terms. By them
he was considered ''brave." and equal
to their best hunters.
Having entered tract OF land near
where Cadiz. Henry CO., is now located,
in the land office at Brookville. he NOV
sthreon-built q cabin, and commenced
opening . farm. On this farm he resi-
ded until some eight Or ten years ago.
when he sold it and purchased the one
on the Masissinewa. Between his Ca
dir farm and Pendlcton, when he first
moved on it, was a scope of country
called the "fallen timber"--caused by q
terrible hurricane. Through this fallen
timber Nathan Ratliff, had many =
successful hunt after bears, wolves, etc.
On one occasion, he followed wolf tracks
that led to large hollow walnut log
Surprising the old wolf might be at
home, be tapped on the log. and prepa-
red to shoot it 40 it came out; but it
didn't appear. He then crawled into
the log and found seven wolf cubs. He
brought one out, aud by pulling its ears
and whipping it with his ram rod, he
made it yell--its cries attracted the dam
who came to its rescue, when Mr. Il. sh OF
her. The whelr was again put through
Il course of sprouts, and up trotted the
old sire, and he was also shot. Henry
County was, then giving premium of SO
per wolf-scaip. and having Invested the
wolves and their whelps Of their scalps,
Mr.. r. went to the county treasurer and
drew y q 90 for his mornings work.
wh,tat l., t;nn nx-no1;t;o,,
he came across she bear and two cubs
----he shot both the cubs killing one and
badly wOundiag the other. The OLD
bear showed fight and CAME at hin,
open m utied; not having his rifle load
Ell. he struck her over the head Will
the butt OF it, and she went back To he,
crippled cub and commenced licking its
wound. Mr. r. retreated, and. having
again loaded up he advanced to the at
tack. AZ soon as she observed her en-
envy, she quilted her cub and came FIJI
riously towards him; he did not let he
come as close as before--a bullet from
his unerring rife catered her mouth and
came cut Of the top Of her head, and sh
bit the dust He soon despatched tn
wounded cub--took all three Of thei
hides of, and, in the course Of the day
conveyed the meat home.
One morning, just as he was c&tin:
his breakfast, a little girl came running i,
and announced the fact that three dee
had just ran by the house. This new
was far better than the mos. sumptuou
repast to Mr.. Ratlif, who arose from
the table. seized his rifle and started II
pursuit. He returned home at night
having killed all three and suspended