Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1868-09-03
A Reniniscence.

John Reynolds, Esq, furnishes the fol-
lowing interesting "Reminiscences, of one of
the earliest settlers of Mcadvi,lc, who is
now revisiting the scenes of his carly
manhood:
Hcssrs E6litors-N'e had call yester-
day from Thos. Ray, who was born "a
years ago, in the Block House, which the
old residents well remember, as it stood
on the northeast corner of Water street
and Steers alley, where Thos. Wilson
now resides:
Mr.. Ray left Mcadyille forty years ago
and has since residsd in the West. This
is his first visit to his native place. He
finds the old landmarks have generally
disappeared, as well as the old familiar ia
ces, save the very few who, like himself
| are nearing the river.
he is the son of Thos. Ray, who settled
on the cast branch of French Creek, three
miles above this city, when all the region
was Wilderness, and who was captured
by the Indians on the same day, at the
same place, and by the same party who
captured Van Horn and shot Gregg. Ray
was taken to Detroit, then post garrison
ed by the British, not having yet been sur
rendered as by treaty was stipulated.
Here the Indians encamped short dis
tance outside; tied their prisoner securely
by his feet and hands, and left him seated
on log while they visited their quondam
allies. In this position he was seen by an
approaching officer whom he had known
in his boyhood in Scotland, when the fol-
lowing colloquy occurred:
You are deserter. / suspect, said the
officer2
"You would not say that if you recog-
nized me as l do you, replied the prison
er.
"Ah, Where and when did you know
me?" responded the officer. -
'At Dundee, in Southern Scotland
where we were boys together. You are
Captain Siblcy. Do you remember taking
company to Liverpool" f :.
"Yes.p H
"What was the name of your Lieuten
anti"
"Thomas Ray"
"Well, l am he," exclaimed the prison
er.
Thus met two men, who had been wide
ly separated; and now In different nation
alities, and very different circumstances.
The officer sat down beside him on the
log, ard gush of tears yielded to the nat
ural emotions produced by the remcm-
brance of the iccidents Of by-gone years.
Suffice it here to say; he ransomed Key
and took him to his quarters and kept him
two weeks until vessel sailed for Fort
Erie on which he procured passage-and
also employed two trusty Indians to take
him thence to Pittsburgh where his fami-
ly had retired after his capture as he learn
ed at Fort franklin, where they stopped
to learn the Gate of the French Creek set
tiers.
From Buffalo creek, the Indians pilo.ed
him across TO OrIean point, thence they
took him in bark canoe 10 within twelve
miles of Fort Pitt, where, fearing the ven
geance of the inhabitants, they shook
hands and returned. Thus Mr. Ray was
happily restored to his family, after Q
short but painful captivity. go .,
1t il pleasing to learn from Mr.. Ray
that he is now, and has been the last thir-
ity-eight years in the ministry of the M. E
church. When q resident hese,- we knew
him as an active member OF that church
then in its carly development in this re;
gion. niH ~
| give you the foregoing in the hope
that all which can be, win be preserved O.
the personal history of the pioneers, il
the settlement of North Western Pennsyl
vania.-Meoduilyc RspuJtican.