The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-09-06
FoRTY-FoUR YEARS A NIMRoD
A Few Incidents Connected With the
Life of Meshach Browning.

A Few Incidents Connected With the
Life of Meshach Browning.
The following bit of history con-
ceining one of the early pioneers of
Garrett county appeared in the last
issue of the Uniontown, (Pa.) PeO-
pies Tribune and as it makes very
interesting reading we give it space
in to-day's REPUBLICAN:
owe are aware that stories mar
rated by hunters of their exploits
are not given much credence and
am not much addicted to relating
them, unless they are closely con-
nected with the promotion of civil
zation, then it IS a pleasure. |
wish to relate some incidents con-
nected with the eventful life of
Meshach Browning, pioneer hun
ter of Garrett county, formerly
part of Allegany county, Maryland.
"He was born in the early part of
1871, just before the close of the
Revolutionary war, and was reared
with this young stout-hearted re-
public. His early life was a warfare
to keep hunger from staring him in
the face and which was character
istic of the warfare to follow with
the wild beasts of the forest. At
the age of eleven mouths his father
died, lesAtfSg a mother and num-
Der of of small children to battle
with penury. Finally after endur-
ing very severe treatment he grew
to manhood. During those hours
of priyation he formed a fondness
for the woods, where he secured
food enough to keep "the wolf from
the door," Meshach feared neither
man nor beast, and killed many
bear with large hunting knife.
His education consisted of only six
months attendance at a private
school, where he met and married
his life's partner; whose devotion
was ended only by her death. While
boy he met with and conqured
many hardshlps, and had a trying
struggle for existence, which created
within him a desire to lead a
romantic and an adventurous life,
and he often encountered bear in
a hand to hand contest to amuse his
friends.
"After his marriage he moved
into the Great Glades, which is
bounded and trayersed by Deep,
Cherry and Bear creeks, Buffalo
Run and the Youghiogheny river.
The wilderness between and the
adjacent counties of West Virginia
and Pennsylvania comprised his
hunting grounds. 1t contained
such animals as the bear, panther,
wolf, deer, catamount, sc. The
Great Glades are covered with tall
grass during the summer, which
afforded splendid rendezvous for
wild animals. The creeks were,
and are yet, noted for the trout
which they contain, and Meshach
would often break the monotony of
the chase by fishing. During a
long, eventful life of eighty-odd
years, Meshach was farmer,
hunter, miller, merchant, politician
and, strange enough a Democrat.
A pastoral life didn't satisfy his
rowing disposition. His highest
ambition was fully realized when
he was in the forest with dog and
gun and wild animals on either side
of him. Thus he spent forty-four
years of his life, a nimrod, and
during that time hundreds of wild
animals succumbed to his unerring
aim.
owe have met several of his de-
scendants. who cherish the name OF
Meshach Browning, as ardently as
we cherish the name of Lincoln,
Grant. Blaine. Old inhabitants of
Accident, McHenry, Hoyes,
Friendsyille, Selbysport and Bloom
ing Rose are familiar with the
deeds, character and achievements
of our subject. 1t is an undisputed
fact that his achievements paved
the way for an early settlement OF
this section of the state.
Gle held several county offices
and conducted the affairs with con-
siderable executive ability, which
caused his political enemies to
respect him. At one time he was
appointed captain of company of
soldiers by the governor OF Mary
land, which drilled at Selbysport,
where he and man named Shan
non had some trouble. After the
hardest contest of his life he gained
the victory. Some of his company
divided as they disliked the idea of
backwoodsman's commanding
them. Meshach was a historical
character who has escaped the view
of the vigilant historian. He
should occupy a place with Kit
Carson. Daniel Boone and David
Crockett, whose names occupy con-
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