Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1871-09-07

railroads had no existence The boat
was new and strong, and well filed
with variety of articles suited to the
wants of the new settlements far down
the river. There was q good stage of
water in the river, and we foated pret-
| ty fast with the c,'rrent. The scenery
along the river was wild, beautiful and
sublime. l sat on the boat every fair
day, to look at the mountains, rocks,
forests and plains on either side. No
cities then adorned the banks of the
| noble river new villages and farms at
long intervals, however, as witnesses
of civilized life, were pleasing to the
sight, and prevented monotony in our
voyage. Nothing of Importance hap
pened until we were within twenty Eve
miles of Louisville, Kentucky; here
we landed our boat one afternoon for
the purpose of procuring some fuel,
and having been SO long cramp d up
in the boat, some of us sought recrc
alton by hunting in the forest that
skirted the stream. Our crew consisted
of six men, two of whom were left in
care Of the boat and to procure fuel,
while the rest of us took our excursion
into the woods. 1t was a very wild
place, no settlement appearing up or
4 I,o W Ii Il
game and returned to the boat. Dur
ing our absence seven Indians had
come to the boat, who brought a few
articles and asked frequently for pres
ents. As we were all familiar with In
dians, and as it was some years be-
fore the war of 1912, a time of peace,
and the savagcs seemed to have no
guns or tomahawks, we were not sur
prised at their visit. At their request
we treated them to apple brandy, as
there was plenty of that article aboard
But, in watching their actions closely,
we were satisfied that they carried CON
cealed weapons, and as we thought
they intended us some evil, we desired
to get rid of their company. Whilst
they were drinking and conversing to.
gether, we held q short, private con
sultation among ourselves, the result
of which was, that should take bot
tie of brandy, of which they appeared
to be so fond, and persuade them to
go to level bank few rods distant,
and run foot races, while those of our
party on the boat should slyly unloose
the cable and quietly move her off from
the shore toward the deep current, at
the same time raising a red flag on the
end of pole, as a signal to me to
make my way to the boat as quick as
as possible, Well. the sayages readily
followed me to the bank and drank
freely, and we commenced running.
After we had ran several races | saw
the signal on the boat All starting
for long race, I purposely fell be
hind the rest, aud jumping down the
steep bank, unobserved by them at the
time, I rushed through the water and
got safely aboard. AS soon as the In
dians saw me enter the boat they ut
tered the war whoop, and Immediately
a dozen more, who had been conceal
ed in ambush, Joined them. They
were all armed with guns, and com
menced shooting at US from behind
trees; but the boat was bullet proof
where we were sheltered, and their fir
ing did us no harm. AS we went rap
idly down the stream, the Indians fol
lowed us, shooting at us occasionally,
and we at them, but at such long range
that none were hurt on either side
Then the Indians got into vessel con.
structcd from large tree, and follow
ed US for a time at respectable dis
tance, and as night was coming or
they disappeared behind us; but We
were continually on the lookout, and
ready with our guns to give them G
warm reception should they approach
US.
The night soon became very dark
the moon not rising for several hours
and we kept our light on the boat il
such way that it could not be seer
from without, and as all was quiet, il
would have been very difficult for pur
suers to find us. When the moor
arose, we looked in vain for the saw
ages. They had evidently ceased tc
pursue us. We, however, kepta strict
watch aIl night, and by daylight, VIZ
were landed safely at the then village
of Louisville, Kentucky, Here VT
were informed that band Of lawics;
white men, disguised as Indians, had
been infesting the river for sometime
to steal and rob the descending boats
and company was collecting there
to go and punish them or drive them
away. l was led to suppose, from this
Information, that the band from which
we had just made our escape were dis
guised white men, who were robbers
and murderers, but who could easily
throw off their disguise and return to
civil life at pleasure, none knowing that
they had been engaged in such lawless