The Forrest City times., 1891-04-24
ATTACKED BY INDIANS.

In the autumn of 1776, a party of men, from one of the earliest settle ments in Kentucky, were on their way up the Ohio river in a canoe. It was @ period when the whole of the region was infested with Indians, and the borderers felt the necessity of the greatest caution. They had embarked at what is now called Maysville, and for several days had proceeded peace fully on their voyage, meeting with no adventures worthy of note. It was their custom to start early Ill the morning, and keep near the middle of the river through the day, watching both banks with the keen observation Inexperienced scouts. About an hour before sunset, they would go ashore kindle 8 fire, and cook and eat their supper Then they would reembark, paddle on till after dark, go ashore again, and camp near their boat, sleeping on their arms like soldiers pre- pared for battle, and without striking light.
 Had they continued this precaution all the way up the river, they would in all probability have arrived at their destination in safety; but hay ing reached a locality where some inn provements had recently been made, they unfortunately came to the con clusion that they were past all dan ger from savages, and, as matter of course, became careless and impru- dent.
 One night-the last night of their up ward voyage, as 1t too sadly prov ed to be--they went ashore, just be- fore dark. at the mouth of the Hook hooking, struck up a fire and cooked their supper They were all in fine spirits, for they expected to reach some one of the upper settlements the next day.
 ''If we do, we've just timed our pro- visions to q dot" said one, flor there's only four enough left for an other decent loaf"
 Well, then, let 8 bake 1t to night, Pre- turned one of the others, ESQ that we won't be delayed in the morning"
 That's easy enough done if we risk the tire," answered the first speaker; but you know I don't think that al together prudent, for we're not out of ( hn nAS ha
 fOh, no d1ngcr of tfe Indians here" spoke up at least three of the party; and that settled the matter
 The man who had demurred, and whose turn 1t ehanced to be to cook, proceeded to knead the flour, and put 1t to bake in an old brass kettle, the only cooking utensil they had with them; after which they smoked their pipes, chatted awhile, and laid down to sleep near the fire, two on one side of 1t and five on the other. the light of the blaze showing every form distinct ly.
 The five men lying on ono side of the fire were named David Perry, Joseph McNutt, James Wernock, Edward Mitchell and Isaac Greer, the two on the other side were Robert Patterson and James Templeton All went to sleep, and permitted small band of prowl- ing savages to creep up and take de- liberate aim. A terrible volley was poured in upon those sleeping white men, and six of them were hit by bull lets--the seventh, Edward Mitchell, made his escape into the surrounding wood, and hid behind log As the Indians fired they uttered their appal- ling yells, and rushed forward to finish their bloody work with their knives and tomahawks. They met with re- sistance but not enough to turn their triumph into defeat. Before the whites could get upon their feet to use the guns they had already grasped, the savages were grappling with them, and cutting them over their heads and backs with their tomahawks and knives.
 Of the five on one side of the fire, Mitchell, as We have seen, escaped un- harmed; Perry, though wounded, sue ceeded in getting upon his feet, knock ing down his assailant, and darting in- to the cover of some bushes; McNutt was killed and scalped, Greer was shot through the neck, stabbed in several places, scalped. and left for dead-though he subsequently, erawled off and died in some unknown place; and lastly; Wernock had two balls sent through his body, and his scalp was only saved to him by shot from the rifle of Mitchell, who slightly wounded and frightened the savage bending over him, and so caused his precipitate retreat.
 On the side of the fire where the two men lay, there was also desperate struggle Robert Patterson, who was lying in front of his companion, was shot through his right shoulder, and his right arm broken in two places In attempting to get upon his feet, he was assailed by a powerful savage, who bore him down and buried his tomahawk in his back At this junct- ure, the Indian turned from Patter- son to grapple with Templeton, who had succeeded in getting upon his feet, and was about bringing his rifle to bear upon him. The struggle between these two men, of different races, was fierce and fearful Both strove for the possession of the gun. Templeton at last succeeded in wrenching it free from the grasp of the Indian; but, as he turned to run, his foot slipped, and he pitched for ward into some bushes. Quick as lightning the savage was upon him. First burying his tomahawk in his back, he next jerked away his rifle, and poured it's contents into him as he lay there grooming. He then walked triumphantly away probably think inp his scaln was not wort h tha trnllhla