Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1875-10-29
44lisceilnn4.
A Centennial Heroine.

will live in story as among the soul-stlr-
ring episodes of the times OF our fore
fathers.
The scene opens (July 18th, 1870 in
the rudely constructed fort Of Boones-
borough, on the bank of the Kentucky
River. Daniel Boone and his friend
early in the morning, and the good wives
were enjoying the rest that the Sabbath
brought even to the unbroken wilder
ness
In the grateful shade of tree in one
corner of the enclosure sat three young
girls, just blooming into womanhood.
The eldest of these maidens was Eliza
beth Galloway, just turned Of sixteen,
and as pretty as picture. The other
girls were younger by two years, and
different from her in appearance. Fan
ny Galloway was fairer than her sister
Betsey but no more pleasing in her APP
pearance The hired girl, Jemima
Boone, was also naturally fair, and like
Fanny, owed whatever fairness she may
have lost to constant exposure to the
weather. Nor were these younger maid
ems without their fancies, and though
but fourteen years counted the lives of
the two girls, each had lover who was
a hardy and bold pioneer. As the eve
ming drew near, the last breath of air
seemed to lull itself to rest, and the July
heat seemed to become more oppressive.
( The quick ear of one of the girls caught
the sound of the river as its subdued
murmur foated up over the bank, and
she proposed that they should go short
distance below the fort to where canoe
was lying, and drift out upon the bosom
of the river to catch the rising coolness
of the evening waters. Hardly were
they seated. and prepared to push from
the shore, when they detected slight
rustic in the bushes, and in a moment
more five stalwart and hideously painted
Indians leaped to the side of the canoe
pulling it close to the shore.
What girl of sixteen could be equa
to such an emergency? 1t was her,
that the true heroine displayed herself
l. 1t was here that Betsey Galloway, with
out a moments hesitation, determined t
defend the honor and the lives of hel
self and her young companions, an
write her name on the annals Of Ken
lucky. Standing erect in the canoe, sh
seized the paddle, and single blow
opened to the bone the head Of the fore
most savage. The other Indians presse
on, but, still undaunted, the brave gin
fought them with the ferocity Of motf
er protecting her young. Finally, ez
hausted, she sank to the bottom of tn
- canoe, and with her trembling sister an
friend was dragged ashore, and was hui
ried off to meet whatever fate might b
in store for them.
The CONSERVATION of the fort can we
be imagined. The father of the gi
se soon returned, and before the night close
in, Daniel Boone, at the head of part
20 on foot, and Richard Galloway, at Il
-" head of party on horseback, were c
inpursuit.
In Boone's party were Samuel Hel
ed derson. John Holder and Flanders Ca
laway. What gave these youths sue
determined looks and made them pre-
on so eagerly? Was it onl y knight
spirit that prompted them to the rescl
of forlorn and captured damsels? AL
as Samuel Henderson strode along
). was thinking of the olive-cheeked her
inc, Betsey Galloway; and John Hold
Ily clenched his hands and ground his tee
es .eS when he thought of poor little frighten
9d 0i Fannie; and Flanders Galloway almc
forgot his kith and kin for thinking
50 the captured Jemima Boone.
rs When the Indians started with {
40 girls they made the younger ones ia
90 off their shoes, and put on mocasins, b
90 Betsey refused to take off her shoes, b
as she walked along she ground her he
into the soil to have trail. Notici
this, the Indians made the whole par
walk apart and deviate from the cour
Then the undaunted Betsey broke
twigs and dropped them along the rof
never doubling for moment that
= father and her lover would soon be
hot pursuit of them and when the 5;
y ages threatened her with uplifted ton
:. hawk if she persisted in this, she secre
: tore off portions of her dress and drC
en- ned them in the road. Boone's par
,lead soon found the trail, and followed it II
All idly, fearing that the girls might gr
'ER weary and be put to death. All Sund
night and all Monday the pursuit Y
- kept up On Tuesday morning slen'
u. column of smoke was seen in the d
tance, and the experienced eye of
, asie sse hunter at once detected tbe camp of
Indians. A serious difficulty now P
, - :.,1e Hon. vrara the cautivas