The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1875-12-24
LINCOLN COUNTY NEWS
fr0b Orchard.

An interesting and uniqe shooting match
came oil at this place to-day. Stephen
Burch Esq, lineal descendant OF the cele-
braied old border hero aud Indian fighter,
Col. William Whitley, conceived the idea
Of a re- union Of the old pioneers hereabouts
and Of a Ccntennisl target-shooting with
his grand-father's gun. A considerable
number responded to the invitation and
were present. Conspicuous among them,
were the tall and venerable figures Of Coils
Stone, and Peasants, Mason, Safer, Lackings
and W X. Buchanan, Major Gen1 Judge
Higgins, who were competitors with Col
umbus AMI Boohe, and who had, in former
days, sent many red-skin to the Happy
Hunting Grounds" Co 'spicuous, also, in
the assembly were Maj. John. Buchanan,
who eft into the revolution" and General
NJ. J. Harris, who was present at the first
siege Of 'erusalem, and who won his spurs
as warrior long before the invention Of
gun-powder.
The gun,powder-horn,a and wampum belt Of
the old soldier we're produced, and passed
reverently from hand to hand for inspection.
The rifle was a wicked looEing affair, with it,
long, lean barrel, into which you could
stick your thumb, and its cumbrous prim-
| ing pan and flint lock. A hundred years
ago il was the constant companion Of the
old Colonel in many weary march, and
in many a deadly combat, and in the opin.
ion Of number Of people, il, lis the weap-
on which inflicted the death wound upon
Tecumseh
But shooting fint-locks appears to be one
Of the lost arts. The target, a large bulls
eye, was placed at 20 yards, and the first
sixteen shots missed the world. The first
shot heard from ~ all was Maj. Bnchanan's.
When he stepped proudly to the front, ard
fixed his eagle eye upon the target, and
pealed forth the shrill war-cry Of his earl
er days, a murmur Of admiration ran
through the crowd. "FizE-whizz poof-
bang" !! went the rife, when a prolonged
howl Of pain and wrath half mile away to
the right, announced that the Major had
hit That old darkey, however, more for
tunate than Achilles Of old, had his heel
tiple-plated with hide thicker and tougher
than dragon scales, and the shot only iais-
ed blister, which "sbin plaster's" appli
cation Immediately relieved. The best shot,
except the last one fired was scored by Maj
Gen'l Higgins II lodgcd,by measurement
81 feet inches from the centre Of tx,
oull's eve. A moderate SIZED lndlan,it seem
ed to Us, might, without much risk, have
got away with the hair Of the entire party
Squire Buich fired the last shot, ant
showed what it is to have the blood OF
hunter in your veins, and to possess, in ad
dition, the family. secret Of shooting tina
gun. lie got that old darkey to RESUME
his position, on the top of his stable, tool
long and careful aim at his heel, fired, an'
drove the center Of the target. II is sur
missed, therefore, that when Col. Whitley
shot Tecumseh, he was aiming at anothe
Indian 50 yards to the right Of the erea
Chief, and up a tree.
The veterans then refreshed themselve
: with the juice Of the Indian Maize, and, al
ter listening to the following original ven
es by one of their number dispersed
Stop traveller, stay-view we'll the ground.
Where whitley fought and hled-
Marx well the spot, Tor yonder mound
I Contains the valiant dead
No cold neglect could cheek his zeal,
? His country Was his pride
And hsLting for that oountrys veal,
The hero nobly died.
D No tombstone marks the dreary spot
Where sleeps the warrior brave,
Who lived and died patriot
= Now, silent In the grave.
c L. II. r.