Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1882-08-29
For the News.
The Last Indian Raid,

On the 9th day Of April 1894 q banl of
Indians led by one Bcngc, said to have
been white renegade, captured some
whites and negro boy, on Livingston's
Greek In this County. Amongst the
captnrcl was Mrs. Livingston, who ut
the time was picking Cotton, having her
bosom full she dropped fragments of
raw cotton on the way, which enabled
the p',rSucrs to follow the trail.
came from Bristol the other day over
the places, and pretty much on the
same route the savages took their pris-
Onefs. They crossed Clinch mountain
at Callahan's gap, now called Fuller's
Gap. Thence supposed to have crossed
Moccasin Ridge between Rev. J. B.
torn's place and J. A. lIarrise's mill.
over the Copper Ridge, and down the
branch that II. Semone's Carding ma
chine is on. Then acroos Cllncl River,
and over the mountains to the right of
the High Knob, IN Wise County, where.
on the 9th day Of April, 1894, they were
surprised and all the band killed but one
Indian.
Abraham Livingston, Of Black water,
IN Lee County, is n grandson of the old
lady whose name Is connected with this
account. Capt. Livingston was my old
school master two terms, when ! was a
small boy. He Is n man past middle
life, and far above the average for sound
sense and intelligence generally. As
have looked IN his firm and manly face,
have thought the lincaments Of that
brave old heroine must lie plainly out
lined. hope Lee County will some day
appreciate these stirling qualities 80
characteristic Of TIE noble race that have
passed away, aud send Capt. Livingston
10 represent her IN our State Capitol.-
But this j. going out OF the way, / don't
suppose my oil friend " ar ofiice-seeker.
Hut that IL exactly the kind If men We
need. Well, my recent trip over part Of
the ground, and still later trim over the
mountains, aud by the spot where the
tragedy Of lightweight years ago was
enacted, have felt Il duty to aid in
my humble way 10 transmit brief state
ment Of the facts, before II passes into
simple tradition. Many Of the main
points have heard from old men that
lived cOtCmpOry with the occurrence
Lately In passing The spot where the
baud were surprised, dlsmountetl and
let Charlie rest awhile. For probably
more than an hour unused over the
scene. In mind went back TO that
beautiful April morning, long ago. |
heard the sharp crack Of the white mans
rliles-heard the thud Of the bullets as
they dislodged the red mans soul from
his earthly dwelling, and sent him to the
"happy hunting grounds" Saw the
lone Indian W. he leapcd into the tam
glcd wildwood, aud forever turned his
back on the bones Of his fathers. Then
] seemed Ia hear the glad shout of the
rescued, from \ fate worse than DEATH
In the midst Of these reflections came
piping through the forest leaves, the
glad notes of n Joyous mountain-blrd,
possibly descended from the same winged
musicians that male vocal these solItudcs
on that historic mornlng--W what food for
thought Then our fathers, n little band
on devoted men. not over four millions,
were scattered along the Atlantic coast.
Now their children, n mighty host, of
over iiCy millions whose mighty tread
ghnkcs u Continent, and whose starry
flag floats on every sea. Nations have
hcon born and passed away since then.
Names have been written on the white
canyassol history. Since then, not even
cxccllcl by those Of Greece or Rome,
Iiatrlvts, sages and martyrs have taken
their stand In the great Pantheon Of
time. The world hae grown better, and
blind indeed lg the man that cannot cont
prclicnd the eternal march Of progress
sion. With these thoughts left the
erot,.if Robetter more thankful man
rchlllinE'that IN that mountain solitude,
where once thcwhoop OF the savage,
aud tho Howl OF Tic wolf grated on The
midnight afr, now was heard tho songs
Of happiness and cOntcntmcnt
'Lo, the poor Indian" has gone to-
wards the sitting SUM- Beside hls lono
campfire, In western wllds, have set.
With kindness have treated him aud
lave felt the warm clasp Of his grateful
Halids tiicn | have seen tho charrod
rulns Of the white mans home, the
widowed vito aud the orphan child,
natc NJ by Iris lumop IN human shane,
when aroused IN fury.
Some day may give some account Of
the mounds aud prehistoric romalns that
are 20 plenty mtiAs County, especially
IN the Cllnch River valley. Tho re-
iuAlns OF Villages, and vatt burrying
grounds arc 10 be found IN many places.
=, ID. y. HALE,
EsrlLLviLfN Vhj Aug. ~, 1889