New Ulm weekly review., 1879-06-18
Historical "reminiscences.
CAPTURE AND SUFFERINl:SO OF
SIMON KENTON.

About the first of September, Ken
ton, who had lain about B0one's and
Logans's station until ease became irk-
some to him, determined to have an
other bout with the Indians, and for
this purpose he associated with Alex.
Montgomery and Geo. Clark to go on
a horse stealing expedition. They
reached Old Chillicothe without meet
ing with any adventure; here they fell
in with 4 drove Of horses, feeding in
the rich prairie, of which they secured
seven and started on their return. Up
on reaching the Ohio, they found the
river laslfed into Il perfect fury by a
hurricane, and the horses refused to
cross. Here was dilemma unlocked
for. 1t was evening, they felt sure of
being pursued, and no time was to be
lost. AS the only resource, they rode
back to the hills, hobbled their ami
mails, and then retraced their steps to
see if they were followed. The next
day, the wind having subsidized, they
caught their horses. and again en-
deav0red to cross the river, but with
the same result; the horses, from
fright, would not take to the water,
and they were driven to the alterna-
tive of parting with them. Selecting,
each one of the best, they turned the
rest loose, and started for the falls of
the Ohio, but avarice whispering that
they might lead the others, they re-
turned and endeavored to retake them.
This was by no means an easy task.
and, while busily occupied in their
endeaVOr, they We're surprised by a
party Of mounted Indians, who had
followed their trail with yengeful per-
tinacity. The whites were separated,
and Kenton hearing Il Whoop in the
direction of his comrades, ,dismomted,
and crept cautiously in the direction
Of the sound, to discover, if possible,
the force of the savages. Dragging
himself forward on his hands and
knees, he came suddenly upon several
Indians who did not discover him at
the moment. Being surrounded, and
thinking the boldest course the best,
he took aim at the foremost, but his
gun missed fire. This, of course, dis
covered his position, and he was pur-
sued. Taking advantage Of some fall
len timber, he endeayored to elude his
pursuers by lodging them, and hiding
among the underbrush, where their
horses could not follow; but they were
too cunning for him, and, dividing
their forces, rode along on. either side
OF the timber. beating it up, until, as
he was emerging at the further end,
he was confronted by one of the saw
ages, who, the moment he discovered
him, threw himself from his horse,
and rushed at him with his tomahawk.
Kenton drew back his arm to defend
himself with the butt of his gun, but
rs he was about to strike, another
stalWart savage, whom he had not dis
covered, seized him in his powerful
grasp, and prevented the descending
blow. He was now a prisoner, and
yielded with what grace he could COM
mand to superior numbers. lille
they were binding him, his companion
Montgomery made his appearance, and
fired at one Of the Indians, but missed
his mark. He was Immediately pl,r-
sned, and in a few moments one OF the
pursuers returned sllak King the bloody
scalp of his friend in Kenton's face.
Clark ncceeded ii making his escape