The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-04-30


full frame at length succumbed, and
completely exhausted he begged the
French Officer either TO release or klll
him. He WAS relieved OF a part OF his
load and mOccasins were given him for
his feet, but one OF the Indians gave
him blow with t0mahawk which
opened his cheek with terrible cash
and dlsagured his handsome face. AT
night he was compelled TO lie down on
his back with his hands and feet
tied 10 as many treeP, poles laid
across his body and a savage at each
side OF him, He was regarded as a great
warrior, and his Indian caplOrs resolved
10 burn him at the stake. He was accord
Ing stripped and bound 10 q tree, fag'
gots were piled around him aud the
iire kindled, Hope began to fall him,
but heavy shower of rain deadened the
danes and French officer discovered
his condition and released him, Bcorched,
blistered and half-dead from wounds
and fatigue; from the frantic sayages
dancing around In wild glee. After hia
recovery he entered into o warfare
against the Indians with his customary
bOldnesa, and passed the whole time un'
tll the outbreak OF the Revolutionary
war In relentless slaughter OF the saya-
ges TO ayenge his torture. On one 0c'
caai0n In O combat with two Indians,
both Uf whom no t0mahawked and scalp
cd, he aayed the skin from their bodies
and converted II into leggings and bull
lot pouches.
He served with some distinction during
the Revolutionary war, and was under
Gates when Burgoyne's army surrended
Soon after this, and before cessation
| Of H0stilities, he cams West and became
| tl 0 boon companion OF the WetZala aud
other noted hunters and Indian lighters
In this region. Owing TO his Intimate
knowledge OF the Indian character, ia
miliarlty with their d ffsrent dialects
and methods OF warfare, no rendered
valuable assistance TO the frOntlerameD
but HIS lmpalience under any c0ntr as
restraint was 30 great that he was con
tinually quarreling with the command
ments with thu different posts aud 0nal'
ly separated himself from all contact
with the frontier settlements, He made
u trip to Kentucky where he hunted
with Daniel Boon and Simon Kenton,
and while there married his third white
wife, although the other two were living
In New YORK State. He returned with
his wife to Fort Henry Just before the
attack made by the united forces OF the
Il itish and Indians In September, 1852
During the Siege Ross was one OF the
b0ldest OF the brave defenders perform
Ing many rash acts and seeming utterly
fearless OF all danger. II Ia a fact not
generally known that this siege OF Fort
Henry was the last battle of the Reyo.
luton, and was the most prolonged and
the beslegers the most formidable OF any
which attacked the frontier during the
war. The Indians had scarcely lett the
fort when Ross, In company with Louis
Weizel, was on their trail, following
them for the purpose OF picking of any
stragglers from the main body. History
or tradition does not cay how many
scalps they obtained, but the two became
separated on their return and while
Ross WIS passing through some high
weeds near the bank OF the river, he saw
four Indians Jump into the water with
the intention OF swimming TO tho other
siie. He took aim at one OF them and
fred and the Indian sank. The other
three Immediately turned and fastened
back but o shot from Ross's rifle caused
anOthe 10 sink. Ross hurried 10 the riy.
or bank and grappled with the other two
remaining savages. There ensned ter.
rlble struggle almost as much talked Of
In pioneer days as that between Adam
Poe and the Big Indian. Although
about llfty.nye yeare old ut this time his
physical proweas was 40 great that he
succeeded after long struggle In kill
Ing both sayages with no other weapons
than his hands.
Having another quarrel with Colonel
Zane, Ross left Fort Henry In the spring
OF 1888 and established himself with his
wife and one child, born at Wheeling,
upon what Ia now known as the Wells
farm on Mingo Bottom. There had been
other temporary settlers at this place,
but no cabin had ever been erected, and
for the lirat two years Ross and his family
lived In the hollow trunk OF an immenss
sycamore tree, one limb OF which was
followed out anu used as q stove pipe.
During their residence In this primitive
shelter Absalom Ross, the frat child
born on the soil OF Eastern Ohio, was
born. After he had built log hut near
his 0rst residence, he laid claim 10 oil
the surrounding country and actually
families who had settled here. He was
made q prisoner by Ensign Armstrong
and taken TO Wheeling, but was soon
liberated and was warned away from
the Ohio side Of the river by General
. Butler. All efforts 10 move him were In.
elfectual and II Ia said that he spent his
time while not hunting Indians or game,
In quarrellng with tho men at Fort
Steuben or at Wheeling. But for his ELL
Client services 10 protecting the frontier
from depredations OF the red men, no
was 30 detested that no would probably
have been removed bodily from tho set
tlement and possibly from the face OF
the earth as his bold example In defylng
the officers, encouraged other equattera
to hold TO their claims. He had per
sonal combat with Captain Hamtranck
c0mmandant at Fort Steuben
jult before he started TO aid General 81
Clair In 1850, aud gave him a terrible
have been wrecked on him had he NOT
left at once TO join 81. Clair In oxtermi'
mating his old enemies, the shawane1e
aud the Wyandots. The defeat OF 81
Clair was the most signal and disastrous
ever sustained by the American army In
its battles with the warriors Of the for
est, and while not taking place In this
vicinity, the result was Ger ainly felt by
tho pioneers Of the Ohio Valley. The In.
dians, emb0ldened by their success over
IIarmar and St. Clair, oyerTan the whole
country, and prowling bands kept The
frontier In this region in q constant
state OF alarm and fear by the depreda'
, tions they were daily committing, The
war.cry everywhere wac, mo white man
, shall ever plant corn Ia Ohio" and no
effort on the part Of the Government "a
effect q treaty Of peace with the vlctorl
/. Qua anyapeg under Little Turtle was