Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-10-29

says 1t was 22 feet. Whether tb
tradition, as given to me, or Genera
Bierce, be the better authority j will no
undertake TO decide. did not meas
ure it, because the projecting rock o.
the east side was cut away in maxim,
the tow-path along the bank, as thi
part of the river is used for slack wa
ter navigation on the Cross Cut Cana
to Cleveland.
Tha engagement With tho Indian
took place few miles west Of thi
place, and after the defeat of Brady
and the rout of his men, the Indians
abandoning the latter, singled out th,
former as the man above all other
they most feared, and most desired t
capture. They extended their line,
up and down the river, so as TO hen
him on the brink of the fearful abyss
not anticipating for moment that ht
would attempt to leap across it.
As they approached the river the
descent was long and gradual and The
timber open; and although Brad
could run as fast as his savage pursu
crs, he soon discovered that their lines
we're too long to enable him TO pass
either end. They could easily has
shot him, but they desired TO take
him alive that they might wreak their
vengeance, by their choicest mode oil
torture for the many injuries they had
sustained at his hands. As they ap.
preached the river, being now sure OF
their prey, they called on him to throw
away his gun or they would have him
He took their advice, threw away his
gun, shotpouch and powder horn, but
not for the purpose, as they vainly
supposed, Of surrendering himself to
their savage cruelty, when he might
reach the bank Of the river. 1t was
for the purpose of freeing himself
from encumbrances, that he might be
the better fitted to accomplish the
dreadful leap he had resolved 10 take,
and accordingly when he reached the
brink he bounded over the fearful
chasm, and landed safely on the
other side.
The Indians were so close upon him,
that while recovering from the shock
of landing on the rock, and before he
was able to get into the bushes, they
fired upon him now that he was likely
To make his escape. A ball took effect
in the fleshy part of the thigh, but did
not disable him from running. He
made directly for a small lake, which
was northeast Of that point about two
miles distant. This lake bears the
name of "Brady's Lake" to this day.
The Pittsburgh and Cleveland Raft
road passes over narrow neck Of
land which divides this from another
lake, about four miles northeast of
Ravenna. These lakes, from their
close vicinity are sometimes called the
"Twin Lakes" and may be seen and
recognized by any traveller. That one
on the west side of the Railroad is
"Brady's Lake"
Being perfectly familiar with the
habits and customs Of his enemies, and
knowing they would never relinquish
their pursuit so long as the slightest
hope of success remained, and he was
bleeding quite freely, he knew they
could trace him by bis blood, no found
a tree that had fallen into the lake, at
q place where the shore descended
very gradually where the water lily,
which has q very large leaf, covered
the surface of the water for q consid-
cradle distance. lie got on this log
and went along to the top of the tree,
then stepped into the water and crawl.
ed away some distance, where be found
tho water shallow enough to enable
him to lie down on his back, with his
face merely above its surface, but com.
pletely concealed from observation, by
the large leaves Of the water lily.
His pursuers, afraid to risk the fear.
ful leap, and unwilling to give up the
pursuit, went down tho river to a
point where they could cross with
safety. On making the point on
the other side where Brady landed,
they took bis trail and followed it by
blood to the lake, then along the tree
to its top, they then searched the wa
ter for some distance, but failing to
find him, they concluded he had plunged
into the deep water and drowned him
self rather than fall into their hands.
They then returned to take more
careful survey Of the spot where this
extraordinary feat of agility had been
performed. After carefully contem-
plating the whole scene, and being un-
willing to admit, (and this is we'll
known trait of Indian character), that
any white man can excel an Indian in
feats Of activity, they gradually came
10 the conclusion that he was not
man, but turkey and flew across,
saying, "he no man, he turkey-he
feir Z" and in order 10 commemorate
that fact they carved on rock close
by rude representation Of turkeys |
foot.
This remained there an object Of
curiosity to hundreds Of persons, trav-
,lers and others, till the summer Of
1856, when, being at that place on o
visit TO some relations living there,
and finding the rock was about being
luarried and converted into building
stones, | obtained permission to have
4 block cut out containing this tur-
Keys foot, which brought home and,
until quite recently, had il in my pos
session.
After remaining in the water until
be- was satisfied his enemies had en-
.irely given up all hopo of finding him,
md lett the lake, Capt. Brady made
ais way to the place, or near there,
where the town Of Ravcnna now
stands, which had been agreed upon |
between him and his men, before they
reached tho Indian encampment, as
The place Of rendezvous, ir case they |
should become separated. lie then
net what few of his followers had cs-
,aped the fury Of the savages, and as
his wound was not very serious, :.fter
! long and wearisome march they |
inally reached tho settlement south |
,f the Ohio river in safety.