West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1881-03-19
ON TIE OHIO.
Thrilling History Of an
Indian Encounter.


In the year 1871, while the Indi-
ans were yet troublesome, especially
on the banks Of the Ohio, Captain
William Huhbsll who had emigra-
ted to Kentucky from the State Of
Vermont, and who, after having FIX
ed his family in he neighborhood
OF Frankfort. then a frontier settle
msnt, had been compelled to 80
eastward on business, was second
time to'this country, On one of the
tributary streams Of the Monongahe-
Ia, he procured FIAT bottomed
boat and embarked in company with
Mr.. Daniel Light and Mr.. William
Plascut and his family, consisting Of
eight children, destined Tor Lime
stone, Kentucky. On their prog
ress down the Ohio River, and soon
after passing Pittsburgh, they saw
tyident traces of Indians along the
banks, and there is every reason to
believe that boat which they over
took aud which, through carslessness
WAS suffered to run around on an
island, became a prey to those mer-
ciless savsges. Though Captain
Hubbell, and his party stopped
some time for it in lower part Of
the river, it did not arrive, and it
was never to their knowledge heard
Of afterward. Before they reached
the mouth Of the great Ksnawha
they had, by several successive
additions, increased their number to
twenty, consisting Of nine men,
three women and eight children
The men, beside those mentioned
above, were one John Stoner, an
Irlshman and a Dutchman, whose
names are not reCollected, Messrs.
Ray and Tucker and Mr.. Kilpat-
rick, whose two daughters also were
OF the party. Information received
at Gallipolis confirmed the sxpeGta-
tiOn which appearances previously
raised of a serious conflict with a
large body Of Indians; and as Cap
tain Hubbell had been regularly
appointed commander of the boat
every possible PREPARATION was made
for formidable and successful re-
sistance Of the anticipated attack.
The nine men were divided into
three watches Tor the night, which
were alternately to continue wake
and be on the lookout for two hours
ct time. The arms on board
which consisted principally of old
muskets much out of order, were
collected, loaded, and put in the
best possible condition for service.
At about sunset on that day, the
22nd of March, 1871, our party
overlook feet of six boats descend
irg the river in company, and intsn-
ded to havefcontinued with them,
but as their passengers seemed to
be more disposed to dancing than
lighting and as coon after dark, not
withstanding the remembrance OF
Captain Hubbell, they commenced
fddling and dancing instead oil pre-
pairing their arms and taking the
necessary rest preparatory to battle,
it was wisely considered more hsz-
srdous to be in such company than
to be alone. 1t was therefore de-
termined to proceed rapidly forward
by aid OF the oars and to leave those
thcughtless fellow travellers behind.
Oae Of the boats, however, belong
ing TO the feet and commanded by
Captain Greathouse, vdopted the
same plan and for while kept up
with Captain Hubbsll, but all its
crew at length falling asleep, that
hoat alec ceased to be propelled by
the oars and Captain Hubbell and
party proceeded steadily forward
alone. Early in the morning a cs-
roe was dimly sesA. floating down
the river in which were probably
Indians accommodating, and other
evident indications were observed
OF the neighborbood and hostile in
tsntiOns Of formidable party Of
s.vages.
1t was now agreed that should
tie attack, as war probable, be de-
ferrsd till morning, every man
shcld be up before dawn in order to
make as great a show 81 possible Of
numbers aud strength, and that
Whenever the action should take
place the women and children should
lie down on the cabin floor and be
lrols ed az well IS they could by
tie trunks and other baggage which