The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-03-08
fAaly DAYS Of ONO.
The Rescue Of a Prisoner

V00 Rescue OF 3 prisoner
From the Indians near Bethel,
Clermont County.
The following exciting episodes Of In
dian warfare upon Ohio soil are taken
from notes left by VIM. p. Hughey, who
recently died in Greenfield, Ohio, and
who was the father Of our townsman,
Mr.. Martin Hushey. The Husheys and
Records were closely connected, and
played daring part in the Indian fight
ing which was necessary to prepare the
way for the peaceful settlement Of Ohio's
fertile soil. Simon Kenton was 1t that
period the leading spirit of the region
Of Northern Kentucky, where the Rec
ords lived; and where the pursuits
which frequently terminated in bloody
battles upon the Ohio side, usually be-
gan.
The present one originated by young
man by the name Of Livingston being
captured by the Indians while hauling
bacon and other provisions, alone
through thick forest, for the relief Of
Makers Station, which stood about six
miles west Of the town of Washington,
which, - II win be remembered, il only
three or four miles back Of Maysville.
Makers Station being the homo Of the
Hngheys they were among the pursues,
who were headed by General Simon
Kenton. The Indians had evidently
been fearful Of delay, for they had not
even taken time to destroy the provis.
ions; but taking young Livingston and
the horses, had left the wagon standing
with its load of provisions untouched.
John Hushey and Laban Records, act
ing - scouts for the neighborhood Of
Makers Sta ton, had discovered the de.
serted wagon and signs Of Indians, and
having reported II ut the fort. General
Kenton lost no time in collecting com.
pany Of men, and beginning the pursuit.
The company were soon ON the Indians
trail, and following it with that unerring
certainty, eagerness and rapidity which
20 distinguished the pioneer Indian
scout. Following the trail to point on
the Ohio river, where the Indians had
crossed, they soon rolled some logs into
the river, and lashing them together,
formed rude raft, upon which they
crossed to the Ohio side, and were soon
again in hot pursuit. Cautiously follow
ing the trail for some fifteen miles to .
point near where the town of Bethel in
Clermont county now stands, Kenton
halted his men, and knowing that they
were close upon the Indians, detailed
John and Charles Hughey, and Adam
Shrofe to advance cautiously and ascer-
tain the number and locality of the red.
skins and under strict orders not to fire
gun. They crept quickly and stealth
lily forward, and had not proceeded over
half mile, when they came in sight of
three persons, two on horseback and one
on foot; which they believed to be the
Indians. The one on foot was carrying
. large pack upon his back. The two
Hugheys and Shroufe held . hasty
conference, and, Notwithstanding their
order not to fire, determined leach being
. good marksman) to fire on them.
Each singing out his man, the Hugh.
eys taking the Indians on horseback,
and shroufe the one ON foot, at signal
the reports of their rifles rang out al
most - one, and the Indian that Charles
Hughey fred at fell dead from his horse. I
The one that John Hushey had selected
fell on one side Of his horse, and his gun
upon the other. The one at whom
6hroufe had fred started to run, and |
Shroufe thinking he could catch him
dropped his gun and started after him.
Being feet runner he soon overhauled
the supposed Indian, and catching him
by the shoulder, was amazed to hear
him call out in plain English, "For Gods
sake don't kill me-" He had caught
young Livingston.
Kenton hearing the firing bro usht his
company quickly to the scene Of action.
All were greatly rejoiced at the good
fortune of Livingston, and upon exami-
nation it was found that Ehroufe had
put bullet into the pack instead Of Just
below It, - he had intended. Living.
ston's pack contained his fathers great
coat. some of his own clothing, . blanket
and thick black bottle known in those
days - "Black Betty" all Of which the
ball had passed through, and was found
lying between his vest and shirt, having
done NO damage, except to sting and
blacken the skin. The pursuit of Liv.
ineston had drawn the whites away
from the scene of the shooting, and re-
turning they now found but one Indian.
The other had been wounded and had
20 well secreted himself ~ to foil all
their efforts to find him. Livingstone
informed them that there was another
Indian belonging to the party, and that
hs was sbssnt hunting. They, however,
coneludsd to wasts no moro time, but to
fnkurn n onco Ia the foPk and ranfnva