The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1888-06-21

tenQ ourselves TO the laSt, NO, re-
piled Dillon, Each one for himself
and suiting his action to the sentiment,
started on a run. Downing and Cuppy
kept together and moved cautiously
along the higher ground or upper bench
toward the forks of Sandy. AS the In
dams pressed upon them too closely,
they would turn, raise their guns as
though they intended to shoot. Then
the Indians would jump around, throw
up their hands, and run upon the hands
and knees, evidently for the purpose OF
diverting the aim of the whites.
BY degrees they became holder and
advanced closer, when Downing, tax
ing advantage of a good opportunity,
shot the nearest, which had the effect
of keeping the others at a greater dis
lance. Soon after, Downing and Cuppy
caught up with Dillon, who appeared
much exhausted as though about to
fall. Dillon begged for Gods sake
that they would help him, and as
Downing turned and saw his face, he
discovered that he was choking with
his necktie. Dillon III his haste to lUos-
en- it and to assist his breathing, pulled
the wrong end and made it tighter.
Downing cut the neckerchief with his
belt knife, thereby releasing him, when
Dillon Immediately took a fresh start
and was soon out of sight Downing
and Cuppy were both past middle age
and somewhat tleshy. They had both
run until nearly exhausted, ana knew
they could not hold out much longer.
Downing said to Cuppy, ~ can't go
any fartner-Il stand and fight under
this thorn bush If | die" and stand he
did. At the same time Cuppy got be-
mind q tree, and both awaited the APP
proach of the savages, determined TO
make the best resistance they were able.
They had not long to wait, for
soon the Indians were seen approach
ing. Downing reserved his tire until the
foremost Indian came within close
range, then taking deliberate aim, fired
and brought him down. The Others re-
turned a volley which cut the bushes
around Downing and Cuppy, but did
not strike either. Miller and Foulk
hearing the firing, fastened in the di-
rection from whence it came, and be-
fore aware of it were among the lndl-
ans. Miller espied n OF unusual size,
with a silver half-moon hanging on his
breast. He was in the act OF loading
his gun, and just as Miller was drawing
a bead upon him the chief saw him,
gave a yell and sprang behind a tree.
Miller soon discovered that he was so
surrounded that it would be impossible
to protect himself behind a tree, there
upon he determined upon flight as the
only hope of safety for his scalp. Quick
as thought he sprapg from the upper
bank and ran across the bottom or
swamp toward the north branch Of the
stream. The Indians left Downing
and Cuppy, threw down their guns,
drew their tomahawks, gave a scalp
veil and gave chase after Miller. AT one
time they were so near he recognized
a tall warrior known among the whites
as Tom Jilleway. After Miller crossed
Little Sandy, and was in an open plain,
he thought, as he afterwards expressed
; it. NOW legs for it," He always cOnsid-
! cred himself swift on foot, and put in
his best efforts for about a mile ard a
| half until he reached the high lands or
ridge. when he stopped to look back
and listen. He could heather hear nOr
) see anything of the Indians. After
resting a short time, he concludedtO re.
turn to the place where they were first
surprised, in the hope of finding the
rest of his company. AS they were moi
7 there, and the day was far advanced
he decided upon making for the com
pany's place of rendezvous on the cas-
side of the Ohio river. He continued
to travel as long as he could see hi
Way until he reached Yellow creek
Here, under a fallen tree that lay III
from the ground, he made a bed o
leaves upon which he slept sound!
9 amid the bowling of wolves and thu
~screeching of wild cats, Next day III
e crossed the Ohio at the mouth Of Vel
8 low creek and reached the place of rem
0 devious where he found Downing, Cup
/ DIV and Dillon safe and unhurt, excep
7 that Downing's face was much ,sWollel
u and his eyes bloodshot from exertlon.
y In the evening of the next day Foul
made his appearance, and reported ina
when the Indians started after Miller
!, he hid himself in the brush. Whel
they were out of sight he crossed owe
y a branch of the Sandy, the same that i
y now called Indian Run from this linden
n teal fight, and secreted himself on
IT hill where he could overlook the plain
!!e south without being observed. II
II could see the Indians in camp not
q mile distant, and from their perform
ances was satisfied, from his knowledg
II of their ceremonies, that two OF thel
If number had been killed. In discussin
r, the matter, the company were Of tn
re opinion that they had the best of tn
d fight and that they made a fortunat
ne escape. =,
The next day Gen. Wayne and HI
id staff in a barge, with his troops in
Re flat boats, came down the river on the
way to camp Washington, afterwal
re Cincinnati. AS they came in sigh
ir the scouts dischared their CUR
as a salute. Gen. Wayne had h!
10 barge run ashore, and, on learning the
k, were government scouts, signalled
ar boat containing sharp-shooters to Ian,
Sc He had a target set up, and q trial {
+. skill between his sharp-shooters an
a. the scouts in which the snapshots
r. came out second best. General Wayr
to complimented the scouts, saying: I'm
It. brave fellows, you are id fine shots
and treated them to brandy.
A portion of the ground over whic
D. the contest occurred, is now in CAIRO
r. County, but was formerly a part
1t Stark. 4
.e. The next article will treat of the il
of dams that were about this section att
he the organization of the county.