The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-11-14
INOIAN MARENRN
JESSE HUGHES.

'S"''ouii'' dSt'c iHhH aus
from his constant practice became Gle ,f
the best hunters and Indian fghrrs On
the frontier. Having perfect kn'yledge
ofall the articles Of the Indians lie was
quick to devise expedicnts 70 ffrastraie
them oflhis, the following t1ploi, is an
illustration. At a time Of gfat danger
from Indian ;ncursions. wb% the citizeua
lin tho neighhorhood wert in Tor. at
Clnrksburg. Hughes ony morning OBJ
served a lad very hurriehy engaged in
fixing his gun.
Jim" said he, "s,at are you doing
tha, for:"
II am going to stoH a turkey that |
hear gebbling on the hill.side," replied
Jim
Il hear no turkey, said Hughes,
"I;s'en." said JfI. There, didn's
you hear i'' Listef fagain -
well" said llp1hes, after hearing it
repeated, III 60 gd Kill It,"
mo you won't It's my turkey. |
heard it frst,n saY jim,
"Well, said Hughes; "but sou know
am the best rSrksmsp; and besides, ]
don't wan, the turkey, on may have it."
The lad ,heynsrced that Hughes should
go and kiltYfOr him: Hughes went out
Of the fOrtS the side that was far,he.t
from the fPposed turkey, and running
along erirer, went up a raviue and
came "A on the rear, where, as he eX.
pcctA. lie saw On Indian, si,tirg on a
cRn stump, surrounded by sprouts,
sSbling and watching to see if any one
would come from the fort to kill The trr-
key. Hughes crept up anc shot him
dead. The successful rangcr then took
of his scalp, aud went into the fort,
where jim. was waiting for the prize.
There now" ssid JIM" you have lei
the turkey 60. l would have killed it il
| had gone" 80
Nv" said Hughes, II iiiu', lc,isgo.'
and he threw dovn tue scalp. There,
take your turkey, jim; l don't want it.
The lad nearly fain,ed as he thought
'1l th') death he had so narrowly escaped
owing to the keen perception and good
manags ment Of Mr.. Hughes.
Tho t%s-qoity of eur border hero wa:
fully prorsa upon another occasion
About l'9o, the ,Iudians visited Clarks
burg. Ia Inc night, aud contrived to stea
a lew horses, WIZ which they made /
ha''y retreat Aoiout daylight ;hc mex
morning a party of twenty-five or ,hir,,
men, among whom was Jtsse Hughes
started In pursuit. They found trai
Just outside Of the settlement, ..-.ls.s.s
the signs, supposed that the marnudirg
party consisted of eight or ten indians.
\ council was held 10 determine how the
parsui, should be continued. Mr. Hughes
vas opposed TO following the trail, H'
said be could pilot the party to the spo'
where the Indians would cross the Ohio
by nearer way than the enemy could 60
and thus render success certain. Butih'
captain Of the party Insisted on following
the trail. Mr. Hughe, then pointed ou
the dangers Of such course. Suddenly
til. captain, with unreasonable Ob'tinacy
called aloud to those who were brave Il
follow MIN and let the towards go home
Hughes knew the captains remark wa
inteuded for him. bus smothered his in
digna,ion and went on with the party
They had NOS pursued very far whe'
the trail went down drain, whe:e th'
ridge on one side vas very steep, with
ledge Of rocks for !, considerable distance
On the top Of the cliff. Two Indians la
in ambush and when the cOmpHdy gn
opposite to them, they made a noise
which caused the whites TO stop; that in
slant two of the company were mortal,
wounded. and before tie rangers could &c
round to the top of the cliff, the lndian'
r,ade their escape with ease. This was a
Hughes had predicted. All then agreed
that the plan rejected BY the captain wa
The best, aud urged Hughes to lead then
to the Ohio river. This he consented Il
do, though fearful that the Indians wouI'
cross before he could reach the point
Leaving some Of tue company to take car
of the wounded men, the party started
and arrived at the Ohio the next day
about an hour the Indians ha
crossed. The>%dter was yet muddy i
t,s ;bs aorses trails. and the RATS that th
L.l n.nd we're floating down Ii