The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-03-18
ON THE OHIO.
Thrilling Account OF an Encounter
with Indians.

In the year 1871, while the Indians
were yet troublesome, especially on the
banks Of the Ohio, Captain William Hub
bell who had previously emigrated to
Kentucky from the State of Vermont,
and who, after having fixed his family in
the neighborhood of Frankfort, then
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
Monongahela he procureda fat-bottomed
boat and embarked in company with Mr..
Daniel Light and Mr.. William Plascut
and his family, consisting of eight chill
dren, destined for Limestone, Kentucky.
On their progress down the Ohio River,
and soon after passing Pittsburg, they
saw evident traces of Indians along the
banks, and there is every reason to be-
lieve that a boat which they overlook
and which, through carelessness, was suf-
fered to run aground on an island, be-
came prey to those merciless savages.
Though Captain Hubbell and his party
stopped some time for it III lower part
of the river, it did not arrive, and it was
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
number to twenty, consisting of nine
men, three women and eight children.
The men, besides those mentioned above,
were one John Stoner, an Irishman and
O Dutchman, whose names are not recol-
lected, Messrs. Ray and Tucker and
Mr.. Fitzpatrick, whose two daughters also
were of the party. Information received
at Gallipolis confirmed the expectation
which appearances previously raised of
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 IL 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 Odd of March, 1871, our
party overlook fleet of six boats de-
scending the river in company, and in
tended to have continued with them, but
MS their passengers seemed to be more
disposed to dancing than fighting and as
soon after dark, notwithstanding the re-
monstrance of Captain Hubbell, they
commenced fddliLg and dancing instead
e ILL L,
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 travellers
behind. One of the boats, however, be-
longing to the fleet and commanded by
Captain Greenhouse, adopted the same
plan and for 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
md party proceeded steadily forward
atone. Early in the morning o canoe
was dimly seen floating down the river
in which were probably Indians recon-
noitering, and other evident indications
were observed of the neighborhood and
hostile intentions of formidable party
of savages.
1t was now agreed that should the at
tack, as was probable, be deferred till
morning, every man should be up before
dawn in order to make as great show
Us possible of numbers and of strength;
and that whenever the action should take
place the women and children should lie
down on the cabin floor and be protected
as well as they could by the trunks and
other baggage which might be placed
around them. In this perilous situation
they continued during the night, and the
Captain, who had notslept more than one
hour since he left Pittsburg, was too
deeply impressed with the imminent
danger which surrounded him TO obtain
any rest at that time.
just as daylight began to appear in
the East, and before the men were up and
at their posts agreeably to arrangement,
a voice at some distance below them in a
plaintiye tone repeatedly solicited
them to come on shore as there were
some white persons who wished TO obtain
a passage in their boat. This the Cap
tain very naturally and correctly con-
cl1ded 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
tho approach of the savage foe. At
length three Indian canoes were seen
through the mist of the morning rapidly
advancing. With the utmost GOODNESS
the Captain and his companions prepared
to receive them. The chairs, tables, and
other membranes were thrown into the
river norder to clear the deck for action.
Every man took his position and was
ordered not to fire till the savages had
approached so near that Ito use the words
of Captain Hubbell,) 'the flash from the
guns might SINCE their eyebrows" and
a special caution was given that the men
should fire successfully so that there
might be no interval. On the arrival of
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 fire
was given from one of them, which
wounded Mr.. Tucker through the hip so
severely that his leg hung only by the
flesh, and shot Mr.. Light Just below his
ribs The three canoes placed them
selves at the bow, stern, and on the right
side of the boat so that they had an op-
portunity of raking in every direction.
The fire was commenced from the boat
and-had a powerful effect in checking the
confidence and fury of the Indians. The
Captain, after firing his own gun, took up
that of one of the wounded men, raised
it to his shoulder and was about to dis
charge it when ball came and took
aNaY the lock; he cody turned round,
seized a brand of fire from the kettle
which served for a caboose and applying
lite the pan discharged the piece with
effect. A verv regular and constant fire
was, now kept up on both sides. The
Captain was just in the act of raising his
gun third time when a ball passed
through his right arm and for a moment
disabled him. Scarcely had he recovered
from the shock and reacquired the use
a his hand which had been suddenly
otru,cn up by the wound, when he OBJ
sslved the Indians in one of the canoes
Just about to board the boat in its bow,
Where the horses were kept belonging to
the party. Sonear had they approached