Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-01-08

thlCkct, ana the OfOlncr ol IO"eIS
killed. Valentine ran, but soon
calling to mind the saying, current
among them, that sit was a bad
man who took bad news home"
he turned about and gave himself
mp and remained prisoner five or
six years. (a)
Martin Peterson was taken
prisoner on the South Branch, and
carried to the Sandusky towns. lie
used to accompany the Indians in
their hunting excursions, and was
permitted to have one load Of
powder and ball each day, which
he always discharged at the game
they met with. AS be gained on
the confidence of his captOrs, they
increased his allowance to two
loads, and subsequently to three
The same allowance was made to
two other white prisoners. These
three, one day, afterreceiving their
allowance, determined to attempt
an escape; and left the towns ac-
cordingly. AS they ventured to
travel only at night, guided by the
north star, their progress was ex-
ceedingly slow and difficult. On
the second day one of their num-
Der died from fatigue, and Peter
son took his ammunition. a day
or two afterwards, his remaining
companion also gave out, and
Peterson taking his ammunition,
lett him to perish. He then pur-
sued his way alone, and after a
succession of hardships, came at
length in sight of tho fort. But
here, when within reach of his
deliverance, his hopes were we'll
nigh blasted; for the sentry, mis-
taking him for an Indian, fired
Happily the ball missed its aim,
and he was able to make himself
known before the fire was repeated.
This fort was on the farm now the
residence Of Mr.. John Welton,
near Petersburg, Hardy county. (b)
Seybert's fort, (c) was erected on
the South fork of the South branch
of the Potomac, on the land now
owned by Mr.. Ferdinand Lair,
twelve miles north east of Franklin
the present county seat of Pendle-
ton. In the year l7JS, a party OF
Indians surprised the fort, in which
were thirty persons. They bound
ten, whom they conveyed without
the fort, and then proceeded to
massacre the others in the follow
ing manner: They seated them in
row upon log, with an Indian
standing behind each; and at a
given signal, each Indian sunk his
tomahawk into the head Of his
victim an additional blow or two
dispatched them. The scene was
witnessed by James Dyer, a lad
fourteen years old, who, not hav-
ing been removed without the fort,
supposed that Inc was to be massa-
cred. He was however spared,and
taken to Log town, sixteen miles
below Fort Pitt, thence to the
mouth of the Musklngum river,
and thence to the spot where Chill
icothe now stands, where he re-
NAMED prisoner one year and
ten months. He had by this time
gained the entire confidence of his
captors, and was permitted to ac-
company them to Fort Pitt on a
trading expedition. When there
he planned his escape, and happily
succeeded. Being sent out Tor
some bread with an Indian lad, he
slipped into hOvel, unObseryed
by his companion, and lmplored
the protection of the poor woman
who occupied it. She told him to
get behind a chest, the only iurnl'
ture in the room, and threw upon
him a bed. The Indians, on miss
ing nim, spent the afternoon IN
search, during which they looked
into the very hovel where he was,
and left the place the next morn
inc on their return. Fort Pitt be-
inc then in possession OF the
English, trooper very kindly con-
veyed him SIX or seven miles be-
hind him, whencebe made his way
to his friends in Pennsylvania, where
Il remained two years longer, and
then returned to South Fork. (d)
Another tradition says that Sey'
(a) Related by Aaron Welton, Esq.
(b) Related by Aaron Welton, Esq.
(c) Tho author, on visit to Franklin
obtained some additional particulars il
relation to the attack on Seyberts fort =
, The party Of Indians was commanded b.
the blood. thirsty and treacherous chief
Kill-buck. Seybert's son, lad abou
fifteen years of age, exhibited grea
drmness anh bravery in the defence o
the post. lie had with his rifle brough
down two of his assilants, whom Kill-bucl
Q called out to old Seybert, in English, L
surrender, and their lives should b
SHARED. At that instant young Seyber'
, having charged his rifle, was in the ac
of presenting it at Kiil-buck, when hi
father seized the gun, and took it iron
= him. observing: "Wo cannot defend III
n fort we must surrender in orderto saw
>. our lives" conGding in the assurances
the faithless Kill-buck. The first SALUTE
) ton he received, after surrendering tn
C fort was a stroke on his mouth from Oh
8 monster, Kil-buck, with the pipe-end
a hi. tomahawk, dislocatng several of th
. old mans teeth; and Immediately after j