Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-09-11

large number of persons under his
command, that it is impossible to make
proof of those, who are the owners Of
the negroes in their possession, whom
Col. Robertson had described. Mr..
Portell not only expressed very feeling
ly, his grateful sensations for the ami
cable behavior of the people of Cum
berland, but promised to maintain the
most friendly dispositions on his side,
and would experience much pleasure
in being useful to the Colonel and his
people, and Of convincing the latter Of
the high consideration in which he had
held him.
The Indians through the course of
this year made incursions into Cum.
berland settlements for the purpose of
killing the inhabitants. Early in this
year they killed Philip Trammell and
Philip Mason. whose names are men,
toned in the legislative act of May
session, 1884, providing for the uncer-
titled pre- emptioners. As one amongst
a thousand specimens of unequalled
fortitude and gallantry of the first
settlers, it is proper to give recitation
of the conflict in which they ended
their existence. These two men, at
the head of Whites Creek, had killed
der and were skinning 1t. The Indi-
ans stole up to the place and fired upon
them. They wounded Mason and car
ried off the venison. Trammell got as
distance from Eaton's Station, and fol.
lowed the Indians. He came up with
them, they fought and he killed two
of them, but other Indians coming up
with their horses in possession, the
whites were once more obliged to re.
treat, after Mason had received the
second ball, which proved mortal.
Trammell found some other white men
in the woods, whom he induced to 20
with him back to the place where the
Indians were. They found the latter
and Immediately renewed the fight.
They killed three Indians, and fought
till both parties were tired. Trammell
and Josiah Hoskins enthusiastically
courageous, and bent upon making
their enemy yield the palm of victory,
precipitated themselves into the midst
of the retreating Indians, and received
the fruit of their temerity. They fell
by the hands of the foe. The rest Of
the white men maintained their ground
until both parties were willing TO re-
spire from their martial labors. Aspie
is another of the names mentioned in
the same obituary catalogue; and his
case too, is deserving of particular
notice. He, together with Andrew
Lucas, Thomas S. Spencer, and one
Johnston, had left the Bluff on horse.
back, to go on hunting tour, and had
proceeded to the headwaters of Drake 3
Creek, in crossing which their horses
stopped to drink. At this moment a
party of Indians came up and fred
upon them, when they had no suspicion
that any Indians were in the vicinity,
Lucas was shot through the neck, and
through the mouth, He however dis.
mounted with the rest, but in attem pt.
ing to fire the blood gushed out of his
mouth and wet his priming; peroeiving
this, he crawled into O bunch of briars.
Aspie as he alighted from his horse re-
ceived wound which broke his thigh,
but still he fought heroically. Johnston
and Spencer acquitted themselves with
Incompatible gallantry, but were
obliged to give way, and to leave Aspie
to his fate, though he entreated them
earnestly not to forsake him. The In
dians killed and scalped Aspie, but
did not find Lucas, who shortly after
wards returned to his friends. The
whole family of the Aspies were super.
latively brave. The brother of this
one was killed in the battle at the Bluff
when he first fell, he placed himself in
a position to reach loaded gun, with
which he shot the Indian that ran to
scalp him. Spencer in the heat of the
engagement was shot, but the ball
split on the bone of his arm and saved
his life.
IN the year 1884. the Indians killed
Cornelius Riddle, near Buchanon's q
Station, on small path leading tn
Stones River, by the. place where
Halls plantation now is. He had
killed two turkies and hung them upon
a tree, and had gone off into the woods
to hunt for more. The Indians hear
ing the report of his gun came to the
place and finding the turkies, lay In
ambush where they were, and on Rid
dies coming to take them aw ay, they
fired upon and killed him.
In the year l7S5, Moses Brown wal
killed by the Indian, near the place
on Rchland Creek, where Jesse Whar
ton, Esquire, now lives, then called
Browns Station. In this year also
the Indians killed Edmond Hickman
a surveyor. They came upon him In
that part of the country which ia now
Hickman County, on Piney River
whittier he, Col. Robertson and Col
Weakly, had gone in company to sur
vey entered lands. In this year also
they killed man who lived with Will
liam Stuart, on the plantation whert
Judge Haywood now lives, in the fork
of Mill Greek, on that part of the plan
tution where John Buchanou oncs