The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-03-03
ON THE OHIO.


were yet troublesome, especially on the
banks Of the Ohio, Captain William Hub
bell who had previously emigTated to
Kentucky from the State of Vermont,
and who, after having fixed his family in
the neighborhood Of Frankfort, then a
frontier settlement, had been compelled
to go eastward ON business, was a sec
ond time ON his way to this country. On
one Of the tributary streams on the river
Monongnhela he procured q fiat bottomed
boat aud embarked in company with Mr..
Daniel Light and Mr. VII lam Plaseut
and his family, consisting of eight chill
dren, destined for Limestone, Kentucky.
On their progress down the Ohio River,
and soon after passing Pittsbrrg, they
saw evident traces of Indians along the
banks, and there is every reason to be-
heve thai o boat which they overlook
and which, through carelessness, was suf-
fered to run aground on an island, be-
came a prey 10 those merciless sayages.
Though Captain Hubbell and his party
stopped some time for. it in lower part
of the river, it did not arrive, and twas
never to their knowledge heard Of after
ward. Before, they reached the mouth
of the Great Kanawha they had, by sew
eral successive additions, increased their
lumber TO twenty, consisting Of nine
men, three women and eight children.
The men, besides those mentioned above,
were one John Stoner, an Irishman and
a Dutchman, whose names are not recol-
lected, Messrs. Ray and Tucker and a
Mr.. Fitzpatrick, whose two daughters also
were OF the party. Information received
at Gallipoiis confirmed the expectation
which appearances previously raised Of q
serious conflict with large body Of In
dians; and as Captain Hubbell had been
regularly appointed commander of the
boat every possible preparation was made
for formidable and successful resistance
of the anticipated attack. The nine men
were divided into three watches for the
night, which were alternately to con-
tinue awake and be ON the lookout for
two hours at time. The arms on board,
which consisted principally Of old mus
kets much out OF order, were collected,
loaded, and put in the best possible con-
dition for service. At about sunset on
that day, the 22d of March, 1891, our
party overlook q fleet of six boats de-
scending the river In company, and in
tended to have continued with them, but
as their passengers seemed to be more
disposed to dancing than fighting and ns
soon after dark, notwithstanding the re-
monstrance of Captain Hubbell, they
commenced fiddlirg and dancing instead
of preparing their arms and taking the
necessary rest preparatory to battle, it
was wisely considered more hazardous to
be in such company than to be alone It
was therefore determined to proceed
rapidly forward by aid of the oars and to
leave those thoughtless fellow-travelers
behind. One Of the boats, however, be-
longing to the fleet and commanded by
Captain Greathouse. adopted the same
plan and for a while kept up with Captain
Hubbell, but all its crew at length falling
asleep, that boat also ceased to be pro-
PEELED by the oars and Captain Hubbell
and party proceeded steadily forward
alone. Eariy in the morning q canoe
was dimly seen floating down the river
in which were probably Indians recon-
noitering, and other evident indications
we're observed of the neighborhood and
hostile intentions of q formidable party
Of sayages. .r- .....-
II was now agreed that should the at
tack, as was probable, be deferred till
Gawn iR order % 70 n MIKE 'S ~ R W RsSbs sSSS
rs possible Of numbers and Of strength;
and tirat whenevef the action should take
place the women aud chiidreu Bhould lie
down on the cabin floor and be protected
as well as they could by the trunks and
other baggagef which might be placed
around them. In this peri1ous situation
they continued during ths night, and the
Captain, who had notslept more than one
hour since he left Pittsburg, was toe
deeply impressed with the imminent
danger which surrounded him to obtain
any rest at that time,
Just as daylight begnn to appear in
the East, and before the men were up and
mt their posts agreeably to arrangement,
plaintive tone repeatedly solicited
them to come on shore rs there were
some white persons who wished to obtain
n passage in their boat. This the Cap
tain very naturally and correctly con-
cluded to be an Indian artifce, and its
only effect was to rouse the men and
place every one on his guard. The voice
of entreaty was soon changed into the
language Of indignation and insult, and
the sound of distant paddles announced
the approach Of the savage foe. Al
length three Indian canoes were seer
through the mist of the morning rapidly
advancing. With the utmost GOODNESS
the Captain and his companions prepared
to receive them. The chairs, tables, aud
other incumbrances were thrown into the
river in order to clear the deck for action.
Every man took his position and wa
ordered not to fire till the savages hai
approached SO near that Ito use the word
of Captain HubbeI, tfhe flash from th,
guns might singe their, eyebrows" and
special caution was given that the mer
should fire successfully 50 that ther,
might be no interval. On the arrival O
the canoes they were found TO contain
about twenty-five or thirty Indians each
As soon as they had approached within
the reach of musket shot general fir,
was given from one of them, whicl
wounded Mr.. Tucker through the hip 81
severely that his leg hung only by th,
flesh, and shot Mr.. Light Just below hi
ribs. The three canoes placed them
selves ut the bow, stern, and on the righ
side Of the boat so that they had an op
portupity Of raking il every direction
The fire was commanded from the boa
and had powerful effect in checking tn,
confidsnce and fury Of the Indiana. Tn.
Captain, after firing his own gum, took nj
that q one Of the wounded mon, raise,
it to his shoulder And was about to dis
charge IL when sban came and tool
away the lock; he cody turned round
seized brand Of frs from the kettl
which served for o caboose and applyinI
it to the pan discharged the piece witl
effect. A very regular and constant FIR
was now kept up on both sides. Tn,
Captain was just In the act Of raising hi
gun third time when D bail passe,
disabled him. -Scaroely had he recovered
from the shock ana reacquired the rs
OF his hand which had, been snddenl
drayn up by the wound, when he oh
served the Indians in one Of the canoe
just about to- bosrd the boat in its bow
the party. ssssss' I'd tksy spproaolst q
that some Of fhsmI hsd actually seizet
with their hands the sido Of the boat