The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-02-07
LONG TINE AGO.
The Days Of the Cherokee Indians In South
Carolina,

DR.. Naurice 4. Moore, in tho Yorkriile En-
Q,lirer.
It was in the summer of 1776, battal
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 espouse the British side, and raise the
war club. This body of men was under
the command of Major Frank Ross. II
was in July they took up their line o.
march, and before they arrived at the
"Block House." in the Northeastern part
of Greenville district, the residence ol
Colonel Height, an Indian trader, they
met with the exciting intelligence oi
the murder of Colonel Height-a Whig
the pillaging of the station, and the
abduction of Mrs. Height and her two
daughters, by the savages. In addition
to these awful tidings, they heard the tale
of the murder of a son of Colonel
Heigth, which caused the heart of each
brave soldier to beat with sympathy and
desire to aveDge these outrages.
Young Height had heard 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, be
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 perauading
them against taking the war.path. He
was too late. The evil spirit was not to
be subdued, and not only were his efforts
as peace. maker among them unavailing,
but they barbarously murdered the unof.
Tending youth, who had confdiugly gone
in their midst. His early death was the
more sad, because of the broken life and
wrecked hopes that fell upon another.
He was afianced to Susan Paris, the
daughter of another Indian trader, whose
post was at another "Block House," sit
uated where the town of Greenville, 5.
c., now stands.
After the deed of blood, like the wild
animal smeared with crimson gore, 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 at the house of Paris.
He being tory they looked upon him
as friend and confederate, and told him
of their Staying young Height, unfolding,
too, their plan to kill his father and de-
stroy all his property. The heart Of
gentle Susan Paris was fairly paralyzed
by the unexpected blow of her lovers
death. But woman like, she forgot her
own woes to avert disaster and sorrow
from 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 soon as
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 apprise them of the threatened
calamity in time to enable them to es:
cape it. Sad indeed, to relate, her act Of
heioism was in vain. The Indians
knowing the relations existing between
Susan Paris and the murdered, on dis
covering horse had been taken from
the stable, and guessing who had done it,
surmised her design and destination.
They hurriedly gave the alarm to the
others, broke up their encampment, went
through nearer way, and when she ar.
rived bleeding, lifeless form, and smok-
ing ruins, told her agonized heart her
efforts to save we're fruitless.
Major Ross pushed on with his com.
mand in the hope of rescuing Mrs.
Height aud her daughters, from their
captivity. As they passed Paris Sta
ton, it was with difficulty he could re.
strain bis men from 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 was
composed of one hundred and twenty
five men, with an addition of twenty-five
Catawba Indians, who were valuable
auxiliaries in such campaign as this.
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 trees, to as
certain if they had been recently ascend
ed; for it 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
cove. Here the Catawbas made halt,
and pointing to the wild 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 we're impatient to 60 on; and al
though the Indians insisted on going no
further, they were 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 q
gushing rivulet. 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-feld beans scattered here
and there, which attracted their attention,
a minute survey showed them on fiat
rock the foot print Of naked foot. 1t
being noon day, and the rock fully ex-
posed to the scorching rays of July sun,
& 1roe proDf fhot fhn