The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-12-30
Selfrt Sturp.
A DESPERATE FIGHT.
Hamilton Kerr, the MuSkingum
BOrderer..HOw He OVerCame
Three Delaware Indians.
BY GEORGE BLAKELEE.

Three Delaware Indians.
BY GEORGE BLAKELEE.
Correspondence of the Cleveland Herald.]
On the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
not long ago, fell in conversation with
an old and intelligent gentleman from
Washington county, and found him re-
markably interesting. Passing little
station between Newark and GAINESVILLE
called BLACK Hand from there being
figure of black hand plainly marked
by pature on the. face of huge rock
that borders the northern bank of Lick
ing river at that point, our attention
was naturally attracted by this mark,
and after little chat relative to the
mythical legends Of its origin, we took
up more comprehensive matters and
spent an hour in the recall Of tradition
al incidents of early times. The old
gentleman gave me thrilling account
of Hamilton Kerr's adventures, as told
him by his father, who was member
of the "Ohio Settlement Company"
and at one time under the command of
Col. Harmar. The story has never be-
fore been in public print. p, =, .....
Among the boldest of the spies and
rangers who operated in defense of the
| first settlers of Ohio, was Hamilton
Kerr. He was of Scotch descent, man
of powerful endurance, q feet runner,
and as sly as fox in all of his move
ments. He was so well posted in the
arts Of woodcraft that the Indians
learned to hate him and did their best
to put him out of the way.
Some time before the great. Indian
war broke out, probably between the
years 1885 and 17sS, Kerr had secret
habitation on the island of the Ohio
above the mouth of the Muskingum
and, while there, it is said that he sent
full forty redskins to the happy hunting
grounds. Taylor's History Of Ohio, ]
believe, yeriies this assertion.
Although generally more than match
for the most artful of the ,sayages, his
victories were not always easily won
and several times he came so near
losing his life that, as he expressed it,
he never expected to draw bead on 8
feathered head again, One Of the
most singular, II. not the most desperate
of his adventures, occurred in the fol
lowing manner: .;..,g - .s.. ~
One day in the spring Of the year
while on a hunting expedition up the
Muskingum, few miles north Of the
Ohio, Kerr suddenly came upon three
Delaware Indians whom he at once rec
ognized as his, deadly enemies, He
would have turned and avoided an open
contact had he not been seen at The
same instant, but being ever on his
guard, Kerr got in the first salutation
and one of the warriors leaped into the
air with yell and ell dead TO the earth
The sudden and fatal movement put the
remaining two off their guard for {
moment, and the hunter knowing tina
odds were still against him, having al
empty gun, he turned and ran, hoping
to be atle to load his rife as he retreat
ed. He had not, however, gone fal
when his powder horn caught upon {
projecting branch, and in his struggle
to free himself the strap broke which
held it, and the bent limb threw tht
horn several feet back. The Indians
being in hot pursuit, it would not do ts
return for the powder, and the rife be
ing worthless without it, he threw th'
faithful piece away, and trusted to his
legs for escape. - - a.. =
After running awhile, with perfec
confidence in his ability to distance his
pursuers, he was not a little surprised
to find that one Of the savages was Civ
ing him close chase, if anything les
sening the distance between them
Kerr doubled his efforts, but in spite o
his best outlay Of strength the young
warrior kept him hard pressed, and car
rying loaded rife made the chances
for the white man not the most encour
aging that could be imagined.
Down through the forest they sped
the pursuer and the pursued, one run
ming to save life and the other to take
it. Like the hound and the hare, thu
two men leaped log and stream, the dis
| tance between them varying a trife nov
and then but not enough TO pronounc
either.of them the better runner. Til
Indian occasionally lifted his rifle as
to shoot, but Kerr watched the motion
OF. the savage by constant glances owe
his shoulder, hoping by zigzae cours
to be able to prevent the enemy fror
0 getting fair sight on him.
They had run fully mile when Ker
reached the body of a large log, an
just as he was about to leap upon it, h
J saw the Indian lift his gun to his shou
der; jumping to one side as quick a
lightning and then ahead he cleared til
log, but before alighting ON the othe
side heard the crack Of the redskins r
he. Although unharmed, he threw II
his arms and dropped to the earth. Ii
stantly picking up a stick he placed hi
coon skin cap upon it, and SO placin
the rod on end that it would show o
the right side of the log as soon as tn
Z: Indian came within few feet of it, II
artful hunter crept stealthily around tn
7 roots Of the upturned tree, and watche
the movements of the enemy.
! After firing, the savage drew his to-
ahawk and bounded forward like a t
: ger Reaching the log with the instrl
f ment ready for the fatal blow, shoul
he not find the pale face already deat
he saw the cap and with a whoo
! clutching the furry object, he lifted
t high in the air, and stood gazing in a.
constituent at the spot from whence
S came. Had he not been so chagrine
at the deception, he doubtless woul
have noticed an object dart out from i,
o hiding place, and have put himself o
guard before the heavy knife of tn
! hunter was coming down Upon him
: but he was outwitted, and before hard
n aware of the sudden movement. recei,
= ed the broad blade to the handle in hi
dusky form.
| The Indian plunged forward wit
' such force as to roll entirely over til
loo. carryinp the knjfa in his hody :