Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-03-30
An INDIAN ADVENTURE.
\ REHixlscENcE OF THE EARLY HISTORY or
THE JUNIATA VALLEY.

: RENISIscENCE OF THE EARLY HISTORY OF
THE JUNIATA VALLEY.
FROM tho Altoona Tribune.
The early settlers Of the ,Tuuiata val.
ley had many and thrilling adventures
with tho aboririne-. These settlers
were mainly of Scotch Irish descent and
were hardy, active aLd often intelligent.
They encountered vast dlflicultiea, dis.
appointments and dangers IN reclaim
ing the primeval forests from the do
minion OF the savagcs who roamed at
will over or made depredatory incur.
sions into those nOw peaceful and thriy.
ing valleys Often they were driven ont
or murdered 10y predatory bands Of In.
dians, aud only those who had knowl.
edge Of or we're skilled in the cunning
and trcachery Of the man were able to
successfully defy their raids and hold
their ground.
Among these was Judge VIM. Brown.
who vas among the first settlers Of the
Klshacoquillas valley, in Miiil n county.
True. there we're isolated individuals
who on cred the valley previously TO his
appearance and settlement near what
was for many years know as Browns
mile. but is now absorbed under the
title Of Reedsyille. but were driven out
by the Indians. Judge Brown settled
in the valley about the year 1907. or
l7Gs. lie was at the land office in
Ilarrisburg, as appears Of record. IN the
year l1GS. AT which time he entered the
land which WAS subsequently occupied
by his descendants for more than three.
quarters oi century but has, within
the past twenty five years. passed into
the hands OF others. Strange, indeed,
are the vicis-itudes Of fortune, when It
is noted that one Of the finest Of these
farms u now owned by q man who. Tor.
ty wears ago. plastered house for one
o. Judge Browns grandchildren.
But to our story. AiterJudge Brown
had erected his cabin. near where the
Rrist mill nov stands above Reedsville.
be started out 10 vjew the landscape
DER lie bent his steys toward the
bottom land lying between Tea creek
and the wcst branch Of the Kishaco.
quilla-, crossing the latter and contin
ulng his observations of the land Wing
at the ta.e Of Jacks mountain and the
main creek. While thus engaged he
Indians. lie had no sooner observed
The savsges than they recognized him.
The surprise and astonishment was mu.
tual between the parties aud for a mo
ment each was at loss what course to
take.
The problem was soon solved by
Judge Brown. who beat hasty retreat
toward the creek. Tho Indians gave
immediate chase. but they had foe.
man To encounter who was ne willy Ne
themselves and as iull OF s;ratagems
Judge Brown was tall. slender man,
wlry and as feet on foot almost as a
deer. His pdrsuers at first made no
perceptitle gain on the Judge and he
reached the creek considerably in ed.
vance Of bis enemies. lie entered the
creek at point where the east branch
Of the Kishacoquillas forms a juciion
with the other two branches. Insted of
crossing to the opposite side he waded
up the siFeam. on the west side. n few
yards when he cspied large sycamore
tree standing on the hank. Into this
be forced his body and concealed him
self. The hank of the stream was hcsvi
~ frinRed with thick undergrowll
which. thoroughly concealed the ope.
ming from the lsnd side.
The Indians dashed into the stTear,
and crossed TO the opposite shore. They
saw on the west hank the footprints of
che white man. but they could now here
on the east eide find any trace where he
had emerged from tie water. They
searched The ground faithfully, but their
cunning and skill to discover the trail
was in.vain. The lndians were non.
plused and recrossed che stream. They
passed and repassed the place Of Judge
Browns concealment. lie could die.
tinctly hear their footsteps and their
astonishment in language o. TO what