Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-04-10


and destroyed about five hundred deer
skins, and good deal of clothing, and
In short, they broke up the hunting x
pedition for the present. Still, how.
ever, the hunters continued where they
were. until they had consumed the re-
mainder of their ammunition, which vas
but small. They then broke up the
camp and moved towards the settle.
ments. They went as far as Big Barren
river in Kentucky, where they met
with another corps of hunters, upon
which Mansco and four or five others
returned, and hunted to the end of the
season. They then returned to the set
Elements on New River. Mansco re-
newed his visit in November ITS, and
came to Cumberland river with another
company of the name of Bryants. They
all encamped at Mansco's Lick. The
greater part of them not being pleased
with the country returned home. But
Mansco and three others stayed, and
commenced trapping on Sulpher Fork
Red River. Finding that the Black fish
Indians and their company. were at
these places before them, by the num-
bers of deer carcases which they saw,
and frames which they used to stretch
their skins on, they concluded that it
was useless to tarIy there any longer,
but deemed it essential to their own
safety, to ascertain where they were en-.
camped, and their number: and they
selected Mansco to make the discovery;
he conjectured that the Indians were
some where on Red River, and resolved
to strike the river, and to scour it up
and down till he should find the camp
He had proceeded about twenty miles
when he perceived by the sycamore
trees in view, that he was near the
river. He advanced but few steps
further, when suddenly he found him
self within seventy or eighty yards of
the camp, which before he had not
seen. He instantly placed himself be.
hind tree, with design, if possible, to
ascertain the number of Indians who
were at it: he could see only two of
them; the rest he supposed was hunting
at distance. At the moment when
he was about to retire, one of the two
took up a tomahawk, crossed the river,
and went up the other side; the other
picked up his gun, put it on his shoulder
and came directly towards the place
where Mansco stood. Mansco lay
close, hoping the advancing Indian
would pass some other way, but he
continued to advance in a straight line
towards the spot where Mansco was,
and at length came within fifteen steps
OF him; there being no alternative but
to shoot him, Mansco cooked and pre-.
sented his gun, and aiming at the most
vital part of the body, pulled the trigger,
and the gun fired; the Indian screa med,
threw down his gun and made for the
camp, but he passed it, and pitched
headlong down the bluff, dead, into the
river. The other ran to the camp, but
Mansco outran him, and getting there
first, picked up an old gun, but could
not get her off, and the Indian escaped.
Mansco broke the old gun, and returned
with speedy dispatch to his comrades.
The next lay they all went to the In
dian camp to make further discoveries
they found the dead Indian, and took
away his tomahawk, knife and shotbag,
but could never find his gun. The other
Indian had returned and loaded his
horses with his furs, and was gone.
They pursued him all that day, and all
night with torch of dry cane, and
could never overtake him. They then
returned and came back to Mansco's 8
Lick, where they left piggin, which
Capt De Mumbrune after wards found.
They then began their journey towards
the settlements on Red River, but were
detained four weeks by snow, which
was waist deep. When that melted
thsy resumed their journey, and arrived
safe at home.
Thomas Sharp, Spencer and others,
allured by the fiattering accounts they
had received of the fertility of the soil,
and of the abundance of game that the
country afforded, determined to pay it
visit. They came in the year 1776 to
Cumberland river, and built numbe
of cabins. The greater part of them
returned, leaving Spencer and Holiday,
who remained in the country till 1779.
Capt. De Mumbrune, who is yet resi-.
dent of Nashville, is a Frenchman who
hunted in this country as early as 1775.
He fixed his residence during the sum-
mer at the place since known by the
name of Eaton's Station; he saw no
Indians in the country during that
summer, fall or winter, but immense
numbers of buffaloes and other game.
In the spring of the year 1776, he went
to Orleans with his tallow, hides, furs
and other articles; on his return from
Orleans, he obtained permission from
his relation, the then late Governor of
Florida, Grand Pre-, to hunt on the river
Arkansaw; but being molested there
by the Indians, he determined again to
visit the Shawnee, or Cumberland river,
he arrived at Deacon s Pond. near where
Palmyra now stands, in February, 1777,
and found six white men, and a white
woman; this party Informed him, they