The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-02-07

Lr. Maurice 4. Moore, in the Iork,tle En-
qiirer.
II was in tho summer of 1776, bsttal.
ION composed mostly of men from York,
was ordered to oppose the Cherokee In.
dians, who had been induced through
the Vaccinations OF two Scotchmen,
Alexander Cameron and John Stewart.
to espouso the British aide, and raise the
war club. This body of men was under
the command of Major Frank Ross. 1t
was in July they took up their line OF
march, and before they arrived at tho
BLOCK House." in the Northeastern part
OF Greenville district, the residence Of
Colonel Height, an Indian trader, they
met with the exciting intelligence OF
the murder Of Colonel Height-a Whig
the pillaging of the station, and the
abduction of Mrs. Height aud her two
daughters, by the savages. In addition
to these awful tidinge, they heard the tale
OF the murder of son of Colonel
Heigth, which caused The heart of each
brave soldier to beat with sympathy and
desire to avenge these outrages.
Young Height had beard Of the base
purposes of Cameron and Stewart which
contemplated rising of the Indians !;
and having from boyhood known the
chiefs of the Cherokees intimately. he
hoped to have influence enough to undo
the work of the willy Scotchmen, and
fearlessly went alone to the keowee
towns, for the purpose of persuadiug
them against taking tho war:path. He
was too lats. The evil spirit was not to
be subdued, and not only were his efforts
as peace maker among them uns7aiiing,
but they barbarously murdered the unof.
Tending youth. who had confdingly gone
in their midst. His early death was the
more sad, because Of the broken life and
t wrecked hopes that fell upon another.
He was atiianced to Susan Paris, the
daughter of another Indian trader, whose
post was at another "Block House." ait
uated where the town of Greenville, S.
c., now stands.
After the deed of blood, like the wild
animal smeared with crimson goro, The
insatiate thirst Of their appetites must
be appeased. The Cherokees set out to
carry horror and desolation along our
frontier settlements. One of their frat
encampments was OF tho house of Parrie.
He being tory they looked upon him
as friend and confederate, and told him
of their slaying young Height, unfolding,
too, their plan to kill his father and de.
stroy all his property. The heart Of
gentle Susan Parris was fairly paralyzed
by the unexpected blow of her lovers
! death. But woman like, she forgot her
own woes to avert disaster and sorrow
f:om others. Those threatened now
were doubly dear by their common loss.
She quickly fell upon plan to save
them. From her father, on account Of
his politics. she knew she need not look
for assistance. Therefore, unaided, she
must achieve her design. AS aoon no !
dark came, she took horse from tho
stables, and all womanly fears being
swallowed up in her great apprehension
for the fate of her friends, through the
dark, wild forest paths she hurried along
hoping to apprse them of the threatened
cape it. Sad indeed, to relate, her act OF
helosm was in vain. The Indians
knowing the relations existing between
Susan Paris and the murdered, on dis
covering a horse had been taken from
the stable, and guessing who had done it,
ourmised her design and destination.
They hurriedly gave the alarm to the
others, broke up their encampment, went
through nearer way, and when ohe or.
rived q bleeding, lifeless form, and smok-
ing ruins, told her agonized heart he-
eHeTts 10 save we're Truitless.
Major Ross pushed on with his com.
mand in the hope of rescuing Mrs.
Height aud her daughters, from their
captivity. AS they passed Parris' Sta
ton, it was with difficulty he could re-
strain his :1en fscm Visiting on Paris the
fate of the dead trader. But the brave
attempt of Susan Paris to save the
Heights, and sympathy for her sorrows,
induced them to hold her father and his
property sacred and pass him unmolest.
ed.
Some miles beyond Reedy river, the
battalion joined General Williamson,
who had twelve or fifteen hundred men
under his command. The combined
forces proceeded rapidly, and as they
| drew near the Keowee towns, every effort
was made to avoid falling into any am.
buscade which might be laid by their
cunning foe. An advanced guard VISA
composed of one hundred and twenty.
| figa men, With an edo. lou Of .1enty.gse
Catawba Indians, who were valuable
auxiliaries in such o campaign 90 thia.
They were placed in the front ranks, and
with the characteristic caution of their
mode of warfare would often pause in
the march, and examine with the greatest
care the bark on the tallest tEeeo, to as.
certain if they had been recently ascend
ed for 1t was the practice of the South.
ern Indians, in their warfare, to have q
certain number OF Climbers" to look
out, as we'll as "runners" to bring in
| news.
1t was not long before they descended
q cove. Here the Catawbas made halt,
and pointing to the sild pea vine, and
rank weeds freshly broken and trampled
upon, which gave evidence that some
numbers Of feet had recently traversed
this place, they advised that the advance
guards should remain here until the main
body of the army came up. But the
whites were impatient to 60 on and al.
though the Indians insisted on going no
further, they .ere finally overcome by
persuasion, and again took up the line Of
march. The trail now descended into q
small valley covered with grass, situate
between two bald mountains and by o
gushing rivuiet, Following the course
Of the branch awhile, they came to the
spring around which large smooth rocks
were lying in abundance. The quick eye
Of the savage warrior was caught direct
ly by few corn. field beans scattered here
and there, which attracted their attention,
o minute survey showed them on fat
rock the foot print Of q naked foot. 1t
being noon day, and the rock fully OK.
posed to the scorching rays Of July Gun,
! It was incontroyertible proof that the
enemy was near at hand. The Indians
e. 4 . as N Al