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


forward 10 repel the attempt at boarding
On his approach the Indians fell back
and he discharged pistol with effect at
the foremost man. After firing the sec
ond pistol he found himself without arms,
and was compelled to retreat; but step
ping back upon a pile of small wood
which had been prepared for burning in
the kettle the thought struck him that it
might be made use of In repelling the
foe and he continued for some time to
strike them with it 50 forcibly and ac-
lively that they were unable to enter the
boat, and at length he wounded one of
them SO severely that with yell they
suddenly gave way. All the canoes in
stantly discontinued the contest and
houses boat which was then In sight.
Here striking contest was exhibited to
the firmness and intrepidity which had
been displayed. Instead Of resisting the
attack the people ON board of this boat
retired to the cabin in dismay. The In
dams entered it without opposition and
rowed it to the shore, where they in
stantly killed the Captain and a lad Of
about fourteen years OF age. The wo-
men they placed in the centre of their
canoes and manning them with fresh
hands again pursued Captain Hubbeu
and party. A melancholy alternative
now presented itself to these brave but
almost desponding men, either to fall
prey to the savages themselves or to run
the risk of shooting the women who had
been placed in the canoes in the hope Of
deriving protection from their presence.
But "self preservation is the first law OF
nature" and the Captain very justly
remarked there would not be much hu.
mapity in preserving their lives at such
n sacrifice merely that they might be-
come. victims of savage cruelty at some
subs squent period.
There were now but four men left on
board of Captain Hubbell's boat capable
Of defending it, and the Captain himself
was severely wounded in two places.
The second attack, however, was resisted
with almost incredible frmness- and
vigor. Whenever the Indians would rise
to fire their opponents would commonly
give them the first shot, which in almost
every instance would prove fatal. Not
withstanding the disparity of numbers,
and the exhausted condition of the de-
tenders of the boat, the Indians at length
appeared to despair of success, and the
canoes sucessive'y retired to the shore.
just as the last one was departing Cap
tain Hubbell called to the Indian who
was standing in the stern, and on his
turning round discharged his piece at
him. When the smoke which for a mo-
ment obstructed the vision was dissi-
pated, he was seen lying on his back
and appeared to be severely, and per-
h. vnprtallu xunun1o1
Unfortunately the boat now drifted to
the shore where the Indians were col
lected, and large concourse, probably
between four and five hundred were seen
rushing down the bank. Ray and Plas-
cut, the only men remaining unhurt,
were placed at the oars, and as the boat
was not more than twenty yards from
the shore it was deemed prudent for all
to he down in as safe position as posi-
BILE and attempt to push forward with the
utmost practicable rapjdity. While they
continued in this situation nine balls
were shot into one oar and ten into the
other, without wounding the rowers,
who we're hidden from view and pro-
tected by the side of the boat and the
blankets In its stern During this dread
full exposure to the fire of the savages,
which continued about twenty minutes,
Mr.. Fitzpatrick observed particular In
dian whom he thought favorable mark
for his rifle, and notwithstanding the
solemn warning of Captain Hubbell, rose
to shoot him. He Immediately received
ball in his mouth, which passed out at
the back of his head, and was almost at
the same moment shot through the
heart. He fell among the horses, that
about the same time were killed, and
presented to his afflicted daughters and
fellow-travelers who were witnesses of
the awful occurrence, spectacle of
horror which we need not further at
teni ipt to describe.
The boat was now providentially and
suddenly carried out into the middle of
the stream and taken by the current be-
yond the reach of the enemy's balls.
Our little band, reduced as they were in
numbers, wounded, afflicted, and almost
exhausted by fatigue, were still unsub-
dued in spirit and being assembled IN all
their strength, men, women. and chill
dren, with an appearance of triumph,
gave three hearty cheers, calling to-the
| Indians to come on again if they were
| fond of the sport.
Thus ended this awful conflict, in
which out Of nine men two only escaped
l unhurt. Tucker and Fitzpatrick were
killed on the spot. Stoner was mortally
wounded and died ON his arrival at Lime
stone, and all the rest, excepting Ray
and Plascut, were severely wounded
The women and children were all I'M
injured, excepting a little son of Mr..
Plascut, who, after the battle was over.
came to the Captain, and with great
GOODNESS requested him to take ball
out of his head. On examination it ap-
peared that bullet which had passed
through the side of the boat and pene-
trated the forehead of this little hero
and remained under the skin. The Cap
tain took it out, and the youth observ.
ing shat is not aU," raised his arm
and exhibited a piece of bone at the
1 point of his elbow which had been shot
off and hung only by the skin. His
mother exclaimed, ''Why did you not
tell me of this ?'' Because" he cody
replied, "'the Captain directed us to be
silent during the action, and thought
| you would be likely to make noise if
told you" ......
The boat made the best of its way
down the river, and the object was tt
reach Limestone that ,nights The Cap
tain's arm had bled profusely and he was
compelled to close the sleeve Of his. Goa
in order to retain the blood and stop iii
effusion. In this situation, tormented b1
excruciating pain and faint through losl
of blood, he was under the Ipaeaesity q
steering the boat with his left arm, tH
about ten o'clock, when he was relieved
by Mr.. William Brooks, who resided Oh
the bank of the river, and who was in
duced by the calls of the suffering party
to come TO their assistance. By his ai(
and That Of some other persons wht
were IN the same manner brought t,
their relief, they were enabled to reacl
Limestone about twelve o'clock tina
night.
Immediately on arrived of Mr.. Brooks
Captain Hubbell, relieved from labor anC