Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-09-14
SIMON KENYON.
IN Interesting Adventure OF This
Brave Pioneer.
His Adroitness at Stealing Horses from
the Indians-Hls Capture and
the fortunes to which He
Was Subjected. a

Was Subjected. q
One of the most interesting advent
ures in the life of Simon Kcnton, the
brave and stalwart borderer, who did
more to wrest kentucky from the saw
age than any other man-Daniel
Rome. perhaps, excepted-was his
capture by Indians while on raid
INTO their country stealing horses.
This seems to have been favorite
pastime or business, in the early
neriod of the State, both with the
nioneers and with the Indians. The
latter would make an incursion across
the Ohio. steal all the horses they
could find, and recross back to the
north side and make their way back to
the towns with their booty Then the
whites would band together, and in
small parties penetrate the Indian
country, steal back their horses,
and rs many more as they
could lay hands on, and return to
tho settlements. Thus matters went
on for several years. and in the practice
of horse-stealing Kenton was not only
success but leader He would run
greater risks. and more of them, to
steal a horse from an Indian than for
any thing else, except to defend the
settlers against Indian attacks. His
raids, with few chosen followers. into
the Indian country were numerous,
and characterized by many hair-breadth
escapes. But, as we shall see, the
pitcher went once too often to the
fountain.
Kenton returned from Kaskaskia.
Ill, in l77S, having accompanied Gen-
eral George Rogers Clark in his ex-
petition against that place, and found
Daniel Boone forming a party TO pro-
coed against an Indian town on Paint
creek in the Ohio country, for the pur-
pose of chastising the savages for some
of their depredations on the Kentucky
settlements. This was an opportunity
not to be lost by Kenton. and he hest
tated not to join Boone and his ex-
petition. Boone crossed the Ohio, but
did not penetrate far before he learned
that large war party had set out to
attack the fort in Kentucky. This de-
4 termined Boone to Immediately return,
4 but kenton could not think OF leaving
the Indian country without stealing a
A horse. Accordingly, he remained be-
hind with a companion named Alex
ander Montgomery, and together they
proceeded to the Indian village, where
they finally stole a horse apiece, and
/ succeeded in making their way back to
Kentucky, This so elated them that
they determined to try second ad-
venture, and in September with
third companion-George Clark-they
crossed the Ohio, and pushed boldly
into the Indian country, nor paused
until they reached old Chillicothe.
lhey arrived in the vicinity of the
town without their presence being dis
covered, and waited for night to settle
down and conceal their operations
with her mantle of gloom. Aided by
the friendly darkness. they explored
oiio VI the toWu ana lOunu
number of fine horses graz
lug on the prairies adjoin-
ing They succeeded in securing
seven animals, but in doing so
made considerable noise, thereby
afousing the savages. Kenton and his
&party mounted and laid whip with
horae OF yelling and enraged savages
ny their heels. Now commenced race
lor life. The whites made for the
|ohlo river, and though mounted. the
Indians on foot, as they were, had an
aoVantage over their foes in that they
were thoroughly familiar with the
fountry and could hold them an I'M
comfortably close race. All night long
{ahu The next day Kenton and his com |
pan,ohs kept up their flight, and late
III the evening came to the Ohio in the
F'oseht county OF Brown, short dis |
rance below Limestone, now Maysville. |
nes FOUND the river dashed into fury |
WIND that blew almost a burri- |
zane The rolling waves, though pre-
n.ins no terror to the intrepid |
i'ss' SO frightened the horses that |
=. ehorts TO force them into the river
"iieo and nothing remained but to
eoure them and wait for the oale to
upside No This did not occur until the
ot'o"ihg day, when another attempt
80 inaue but the horses had not re-
pe'''eu from their fright and still
ostinately refused to enter the water
oeiihg an absolute certainty tbay
H pursued by the sayaees
nG aoahdoned the attempt TO cross,
Ina each selecting one of the finest
~ In the collection. turned the
w. 1 n loose mounted and started for
~ aus OF the Ohio, where there were
20 lew men stationed. But no
ma "a had they loosed their horses
"iio"ed them to stray away, than
Khsir 're reckiessness characteristic of
(hem leader they separated to hunt
lbsm W AGAIN that they might take
F a1n on their proposed route to tbe
bodv :, Mention soon fell into a large
pg i; u .he Indians, and his gun ..nash-
Nom he PAN" he was captured.
kirna g;omery' hearing the report of the
nstaaa 1n' came to his rescue. but was