Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-07-09

ala NOT XIII IL, IL NOulu lOdi hii" ~
pieces. He soon discovered that 1t
was huge panther, standing at
full length on a large limb OF the
tree, about twenty feet from the
ground. He knew himself to De
a sure marksman, and would not
forego the temptation of firing at
so fine mark. DisOOeying his
mothers injunction, he took de-
liberate aim at his side little be-
hind the shoulder; and the ball
passed through the animals heart,
and il fell dead. His mother was
near scourging him for disobeylng
her orders but he acquired great
credit from his father and the
neighborhood generally, for his
bravery and frmness. It was the
largest animal of the kind ever
known to be killed in that part OF
the country. Itmeasured upwards
of fourteen feet from the end of the
nose to end of the tail. (a)
The author had frequently heard
that the western people, in early
times, practiced what they called
"fre hunting" but never knew
exactly what it meant, until Mr..
Lybrook explained it. to him. The
hunters made stone hearts in one
end of their canoes, on which they
would raise large pine lights in the
night, and set their canoes to fioat-
ing down the stream. The deers
usually collected in considerable
numbers in the rivers, in order to
feed on the moss which grew in
them. AS the light approached
near the deer, it would raise its
head, and stare at it; and its eyes
would shine as bright as diamonds.
When the shining Of the eye was
seen, the hunter wOuld consider
himself near enough to shoot
Thousands and thousands Of deer
were killed in this way.
In 177S, grain grew scarce at the
fort. Old Mr.. Lybrook and the
Snydows had several parcels of
wheat standing in the stack, at
their respective farms. Ten men
were sent to thresh out the wheat.
Mr.. LybrOok, about fifteen years of
age, was directed to take charge OF
the pack horses, to convey the
wheat to the fort. (Preston's fort,
about fifteen miles distant.) Two
men were sent with him. When
they reached the wheat yard, the
tnreshers had left, and gone to his
| fathers house or fort, and they
| (Mr. l.. and the other twO,) went
there also. Mr.. l.. discovered a
party OF Indians on a high hill,
who also discovered Mr.. l.. and bis
companions, and attempted tOinter.
cept them. They had to use great
ingenuity and caution to elnde the
enemy, but got safe to the fort and
gave information of the Indians
skulking in the woods.
\ brave ana active man by the
name of Scott, went ont and killed
one of the Indians, and the Others
Immediately took to flight.
In the year 40, peaceable times
were had with the Indians. But IL
I77G, they recommended their war
fare, and continued with unabatet
fury until 1850. The white people
had extended their settlements con
siderably to the west of New river
this afforded some protection to TIM
settlers in this section; but TIN
enemy would once in while scnll
into the neighbOrhOod, commi
murders and robberies, and stea
horses, and then push of. Thi
state of things continued for sev
eral years after the year 1880.
Mr.. LybrOok, after his we'll man
} aged trip for the conveyance OF tn
: wheat to the fort, was almost ever,
: year appointed, (b) an Indian spy
+ and after he grew to manhood, b
T served regularly for three years il
that capacity. His brother Phil
l and a Mr.. Philips generally serve'
with him. 1t was an arduOus ant
! dangerous service, but they wer
9 fortunate enough never to get hur
by the enemy.
The last time the hostile Indian
were known to be in Greenbrie
county, was in the summer of 179;
Three Indians came into the settle
ment, stole several horses, and al
= tempted to make their escape. (C
4 Matthew Early, an intrepid hur
3 ter, raised ten men and pursue
Z them. He came III sight of thei
> encampment late in the evening
halted and remained until earl
= next morning. Fairly divided hi
i men into two parties, and directe
u that each should fire separately a
a an Indian. Two of them ha
u risen, and setting quietly; tn
I third was lying down. When th
= whites approached near enough t
J. fire, each party singled their oh
, ject, fired, and the two Indian
l. were killed the third sprang t
Il his feet, and ran up the side of th
y hill. Fairly having reserved bi
fire, seeing the fellow endeavorinI
{ to make his escape, fired at hin
and broke his thigh. He fell, roll
ed down the hill, and cried ou
a "Euough, | give up" Fairly wa
4 desiroua of eav;nO his life IAN