The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-07-11
FRAGMENTS or the EARLY HISTORY
or OHIO COUNTY.
ny u. ID. TAYLOR
CHAPTER Mi,
ny u. ID. TAYLOR.

! VINO WAS alsO OF Dutch uetCtul. he Nas
born and raised in the western portion Of
| Pennsylvania, and while quite Young en-
gagged 10 run on q trading boat TO New
| Orleans. The plan was 10 descend the
rivers, stop at favorable locations, hunt
and slaughter game, and load their boat
with wild meats, skins. fars, &c. The
whole party consisted Of a jolly band who
descended the river without mishap TO a
point short distance below the mouth
of Green river, where they landed on the
norlh eide OF the Ohio, and commenced
hunting for game. Statler and another
man ramhled far into the country and
shot several deer, and came in at night
loaded with hams and to their great
alarm found that the boat and party had
left them TO their fate. The most dast-
ardly and cowsrdly conduct of the cap
tain and his crew, was occasioned by
having seen fresh moccasin tracks in a
cane-brake. Statler and his companion
concealed themselves for the night. and
next morning set about constructing q
raft and crossing the river. Embarking
on the::raft they nearly reached the Ken.
lucky shore, when their raft, by the force
of the current, was forced upon a snag or
sawyer, from which it wac impossible TO
extricate 1t only by tightening it. To
keep his gun secure. Statler adjusted the
printing, shut down the pan, smeared it
round and filled the muzzle with bees
wax. aud suspended it to limb Of a tree,
and after throwing to shore his venison
hams. plunged into the water and swan
ashore himself As soon as he had left,
the raft became disentangled from the
sawyer and SWING around into strong
current and glided away with its only
passenger aboard.
Statler followed on and on down the
stream. still hoping to see his companion
land, but finally cave him up in despair.
as the current seemed to bear him still
further into the middle Of the stream.
Alter a long and anxious look. Statler
thought 1t time TO return and secure his
venison and gun, but alas he had tar
ried too long for when he reached the
place q gang Of buzzards had dcvoured
his meat, and his gun had disappeared,
and he had TO set out alone and weary
TO seek some habitation of his fellow man.
lie was entirely ignorant of the geosrs>
ply of the country, but had heard of
such a place as Nashville, and thought
there might be some trace leading from
the Ohio river to that point. SO he con-
cludcd TO follow up it's bank; the water
icing at a high stage, his course was
frequently INSTRUCTED, but he waded,
swan and RATED himself over all these
When he reached the
present rite of Greensboro, he saw signs
OF civilization, and a trace leading off
from he river. lie concluded THE was
the Nashville trace, having never heard
of Hartford. and he joyously followed il.
lie bard nothing but his tomahswk and
butcher knife, and flint and steel left.
At one time he was taken down with
rheumatism so that he could not walk.
He had been without food from the
morning he crossed the river, except such
roots and buds and bark as he could
gather in the woods, aud now he WAS I'M
able to get them, and his fate seemed
scaled; but while lying and thinking
over his condition, he heard a noise in
the leaves. and looking in that direction
he saw Pole-cat passing near him.
This would not have been very inviting
game TO a well-ied alderman, but il was
a joyful sight to him, and with we'll
aimed throw Of his tomahawk, he killed
it dead. With eager haste he crawled
TO It, kindled fire and cooked his prize.
and proceeded TO eat it. This. he said.
although it had a very strong taste, was
most delicious food. and although he
could have devoured the whole, he con>
cluded to save portion for another meal.
The merit day he was well enough to re-
sumo his journey. One night he was
Overtsken in the flats Of Panther creek
by tremendous rain, and sheltered for
the night in q large sycamore tree. which
had a very commodious hollow to suit.
On the ninth day OF his wanderings he
reached No Creek, where he saw cattle
with bells on. As he knew cattle were
in the habit OF going home in the evening
he concluded to start them and follow
them home, which he did, and they led
him to the bank Of the creek near Hart
ford.
The reader can we'll imagine the delight
he felt al seeing the graceful columns of
smoke ascending the chimney tops, and
hearing the welcome sound OF the wood
mans Ak. and the delightful music Of
merry children's voices at play, but alas
how coon were these fiattering hopes of
again mingling with his fellow-men
overshadowed and almost blasted The
FIRST sound of his voice as he called for
help produced almost deadly silence in
the town. Presently few individuals,
well armed. and keeping behind the shell
ter OF trees and logs, cautiously ap-
preached to within speaking distance
They questioned him over and over again,
and finally left, apparently convinced
that he was a spy, or a decoy to lead
them into danger, and to all appearance
he was LEFT TO perish in sight of his own
race, who were living in plenty. After
considerable delay large party Of men
again came TO the top Of the bluff, and
after cautiously ststioning themselves be-
hind the most available shelter from an
enemy's ball on the opposite side. Statler,
hungry and weary as he was, had again