The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-08-14
EEGtsre11
ADVENTURE OF A KENTUCKY
HUNTER IN EARLY DAYS.
MCeonn.p. caplaro and sIEnAI Rsvenre.

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woods on foot, to hunt deer. He soon
killed large buck, and returned home
for horse, in order to bring 1t in. Dur
ing his absence a party Of FIVE Indians
on one of their usual skulking expedi-
tions, accidentally stumbled on the body
OF the deer, and perceiving that It had
been recently killed, they naturally sup
posed that the hunter would speedily
return to secure the flesh. Three of them,
therefore, took their Stations within close
rife range Of the deer, while the other
two followed the trail of the hunter, and
waylaid the path by which he was ex-
pected to return. Mcconnell expecting
no danger, rode carelessly along in view
of the deer, when he was fred upon by
the whole party and his horse killed.
While laboring to extricate himself from
the dying animal he was seized by his
enemies, Instantly overpowered and
borne off as prisoner.
His captorg however, seemed to be a
merry, good. .natured set of fellows, and
permitted him to accompany them un-
bound; and, what was rather extraordi-
nary, allowed him to retain his gun and
hunting accoutrements. He accompanied
them with great apparent cheerfulness
through the day, and displayed his dex.
terity in shooting deer for the use Of the
company, until they began to regard him
with great Partiality. Having Travelled
with them in this manner for several
days, they at length reached the banks
of the Ohio River. Heretofore the In.
dians had taken the precaution tU bind
him at night, although not very securely /;
but on that evening he demonstrated
with them on the subject and complained
30 strongly of the pain which the cords
gave him, that they merely wrapped the
buffalo tug loosely about his wrists, and
having tied it in an easy knot and at
tached the extremities of the rope to
their own bodies, in order to prevent
his moving without awakening them,
they very Composedly went to sleep,
leaving the prisoner to follow their ex.
ample or not, as he pleased.
Mcdonnell determined to effect his
escape that night, if possible, as on the
following night they would cross the riv.
or, which would render 1t much more
difficult. He therefore lay quietly until
near midnight, anxiously Eliminating
upon the best means of effecting his OBJ.
ject. Accidentally casting his eyes in
the direction OF his feet, they fell upon
the glittering blade of knife which had
escaped it's sheath and was now lying
near the foot of one Of the Indians. To
reach it with his hands without disturb
ing the two Indians to whom he was fas.
tened was impossible, and it was very
hazardous to attempt to draw 1t up with
his feet. This, however, he attempted.
With much difficulty he grasped the
blade between his toes and after repeated
and long g-continued efforts succeeded at
length in bringing it within reach of his
hands. ,-.,
To cut his cords was then but the work
ofa moment, and gradually and silently
extricating his person from the arms of
the Indians, he walked 10 the fire and
sat down. He saw his work was but half
done that if he should attempt to re.
turn home without destroying his enc.
mics he would assuredly be pursued and
probably overtaken, when his fate would
be certain. On the other hand, it seemed
almost impossible for single man to sue
Ceed in conflict with FIVE Indians, al
though unarmed and asleep. He could
not hope to deal blow with his knife
30 silently and fatally as to destroy each
one of his enemies In turn without ava
kening the rest. Their slumbers were
proverbially light and restless and if
he failed with single one Re must in.
instantly be overpowered by the surviv-
ors. The knife, therefore, was out Of the
question. ...l..,
After anxious reflection for a few min
utes, he formed his plan. The guns Of
the Indians we're stacked near the fire !;
their knives and tomahawks were in
sheaths by their sides. the latter he
dared mot touch for fear of awakening
their owners, but the former he carefully
removed, with the exception of two, and
hid them in the woods, where he knew
the Indians would notVreadily find them.
He then returned to the spot where the
indians were still sleeping, perfectly ig-
norant of the fate preparing for them and
taking gun in each hand, he rested the
muzzle upon log within six feet of his
victims, and having taken deliberate aim
at the head of one and the heart of an
other, pulled both triggers at the same
moment"
Both shots were fatal. At the report
of their guns the others spraDg to their
feet and stared wildly around them.
Mcconnell, who had run instantly to the
spot where the other rifles were hid,
hastily seized one Of them and fred at
two of his enemies who happened to
stand in line with each other. The near
eat fell dead, being shot through the cen.
ter of the body the second fell also, bel
lowing loudly, but quickly recovering,
limped off into the woods as fast as pos.
sible. The fifth, and only one who re.
mained unhurt, darted off like deer,
with yell which announced equal ter
ror and astonishment. Mcconnell, not
wishing 10 fight any more such battles,
selected his own rife from the stack and
made the best Of his, way to Lexington,
where he arrived safely within two days
Shortly afterward, Mrs. Dunlap, Of
Fayette, who had been several months
aprisoneF amongst the Indians on Mad
River, made her escape and returned to
Lexington, She reported that the sur
vivorTsturned to his tribe with lament
able tale. He reported that they had
taken 6n8yUungsh shunterneafaLexing
ton, and had brought him safely as far
as the Ohio; that while encamped upon
the bank Of the river large party of
white men had fallen upon them in the
night and killed all his companions, to-.
gether with the poor, defenCeless pris-
oner, who lay bound hand and foot, nm
able either to escape or resist Oar
Western Border. NaiHs
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