The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-01-24
.91gisceNaneGns.
THE PIONEERS OF OHIO,
A CAPTIVE AMONG THE INDIANS.
Hair Breadth Escape From Captivity to Make
More Narrow Escape From starvation

founders of this settlement, was man
of great enterprise, courage and vital en-
ergy. He had many thrilling adventures
in his pioneer life, encounters with wild
beasts and wild men, but perhaps none
which his descendants relate with great
or interest than his captivity among and
escape from the Indians.
Early in the spring of 1871, Donaldson
with his other men, went to make sur
yey some FIVE miles east of the settle
ment, in what is now Monroe township,
and while wholly absorbed in their work
they were surprised by the savages COM
ing suddenly upon them. All took to
their heels, knowing it to be useless to
attempt defense.
Donaldson had not gone far when he
caught his toe under projecting root,
and fell Leadlong. He was considerably
injured by the fall, and when attempting
to recover his feet, saw several rifles
pointed at him, and he gave up the eff
fort of escape.
The other two being Aeet'footed out
ran the Indians, and reached the garri-
son in safety.
The savages hurried their captive of,
taking northwestern course, and did
not halt until they reached Eagle creek, a
distance of some twelve miles. Here the
first night was passed, and early next
morning the tramp was resumed, which
lasted two or threedays,
Donaldson was made to carry heavy
burden, and this not only wearied him
but chafed his back. Whenever he laid
the load down and refused to take 1t up
again, the Indians would grease his back
with bears OIL and by brandishing war
clubs and tomahawks over his head,
make him understand that it was servi-
tude or death, and again he would tIudge
on under the burden.
One Indian, however, in the company,
seemed to show some compassion, and
now and then gave Donaldson respite
by taking the load himself
At last the Indian encampment was
reached, which was located on the Lit
tie Miami. aud here the captive was at
tired according to the custom Of the
tribe. His face was besmeared with red
stone pulverized fine; his scalp lock tied
up with turkey quills; leaden ring put
into his nose, and an Indian dress in full
put on.
After being transformed into red
man, feast was offered, consisting of
corn cake, venison and bears oil. Don
Alison, although very hungry, could not
appreciate the luxury, and refused to
eat. This seemed to give offence, and
while two of the savages held him, the
third forced meat and oil into his mouth.
While Donaldson looked very much |
like savage, he did not feel bit like |
one, and resolved to make an attempt to |
escape the first opportunity offered, if |
was not halt a chance. The Indians ap'
peared to realize this, and kept him |
closely guarded. At night he was bound |
securely and made to lie between two |
warriors. He was not allowed knife,
tomahawk or gun, and had no other
means to aid an escape than his legs,
should there be chance 80 he cOnClu- |
ded to take advantage of the darkness
One night, after some ten days of cap
tiVity, when gentle rain was falling,
and all around were sleeping, he began
gnawing at the thongs which bound his
hands. Hour after hour he labored with
his teeth and several times gave up in
despair but thought of liberty inspired
him to new action, and just as the first
glimmer of dawn began to steal through
the forest, he accomplished the task, and
found himself unfettered Stealing 81.
lently out, moCcasins in hand, he made
his way towards the west, but had not
proceeded far, when yell that startled
everything around, made him aware his
absence was noticed. Without stopping
to dress his feet, Donaldson sped away
with the agility of frightened doe.
1t was not light enough for the Indians
to see the fugitive, and Donaldson was
Boon convinced that he would not be
closely followed until his foes could take
the trail, and he determined to put as
many miles between himself and them
as possible while he had the advantage.
After Stacking his pace he took great
precaution to conceal his tracks by walk
ing logs and in streams of water. To
what extent he was followed he never
knew, as the red skins did not oVertake
him.
Reaching the banks of the Big Miami,
tired and fOotsore, Donaldson attempted
to make raft by binding logs together
with bark, 80 as to float down to the Ohio
river, but having no tool to work with,
abandoned the effort after a fruitless la.
Dor of nearly whole night.
The fear Of being followed and recap
tured which would be certain death by
slow torture, made him press on, now
taking southerly course, as fast as he
was able to travel. But new danger
arose, he had no food; without gun he
could not secure game, and as the winter
had Just ended, there were no fruit or
berries to be had, He had been so long
without food he became faint and dis
couraged.
While seated upon a rock contempla.
ting the situation, realizing that while he
had escaped power to be dreaded, he
had fallen victim to one still more ter
rible, that of starvation; he saw horse
coming down the river bank, one that
had estrayed from some white settler.
The sight gave the famishing man new
hope and renewed strength.
Taking sharp stone he soon cut and
stripped enough bark to make bride,
and catching the horse Crawled upon its
back and rode away as fast as was pos
Bible amid the trees and underground.
The horse was 80 tired and the rider 30
weak that it was with difficulty that DON
Alison could retain his position. Every
bird that few suddenly past, or deer
that bounded across their path startled
the horse that indicated fear of wolves
or Indians.
Late in the afternoon turkey few up
from beneath the horse just as he was
stepping over log, and this 30 f1ghten-
ed the animal that he leaped straight
into the air and threw Donaldson several
feet over his head, and rendered him in
sensible.
When he recovered bis reason, it was
dark, and for some time he could not re-