Daily public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1892-191?, 1896-08-29
eooNE.s NEGLECTED GRAVE.
Relic Hunters Have shamefuIIy Defacsd
the Marble shaft.

Daniel Boone, with his wife, lies
buried in the pretty cemetery at Frank
fort. The spot chosen for the last rest
ing place of this historical couple was
one Of the most picturesque on the
banks of the Kentucky river. 1t is on
the brow of the hill, and the monument
is of stone, eight feet by three square,
and without ornament. 1t stands on a
stone base n foot high, the only in
scriptions being Daniel Boone" and
"RchecCa Boone" on either side. There
are four bas-reliefs, representing rari-
Gus scenes in the life of Boone in the
wilds of Kentucky. One represents
Mrs. Boone milking COW, another
Boone killing the Indian, and still an
CCher him with his son.
Tall beeches surround the monument,
which overlook the Kentucky river.
Far up the valley you can see this wind
Ing ribbon of water, the rolling hills OF
the adjacent country, the broad fields
and The well-made pike that leads &c
LawrcncCburg. Just TO the right and
over the hill is the arsenal on Arsenal
Hill. Beneath the slope is the railroad,
One cannot but contrast this great adj
vance in civilization with the slow,
tedious mode of transportation in
Boonc's time.
The monument is in good condition.
but for the Dissertation of it by curios'.
ity seekers. Like many other historical
objects It has suffered. 1t has been
Clipped so that i'm many places the
raised letters of Boone's name have lost
their form. The bas-reliefs have not
escaped. The COW has lost her horns
and n leg. Mrs. Boonc's head has gone,
and even Boone himself has been scaiped
by some later-day savagcs, to say moth
ing of the loss of feathers and toma'
hawk to the Indian.
The cemetery authorities have done
all they could to preserve it intact, and,
as it stood so years, they have done
well.
In the state house at Frankfort is an
original portrait by Chester Harding,
made by him in 1920, just after a visit
to Boone. 1t is undoubtedly the best,
if not the only, portrait of this eXtraor-
binary man.
Daniel Boone was the most success
full explorer the clark and bloody
ground" ever had. He went alone into
the woods remaining for days at a
time, hundreds of miles from a human
habitation. His sense of smell was as
keen as an Indians, and he was equal to
any of them in tracing a scent or fol.
lowing trail.
He was born February II, 1875, about
20 miles from Philadelphia. When he
was three his father, Squire Boone,
moved his family to Reading, Pa, at
that time a small border settlement.
Some IS years later he again re-
moved, this time to the valley of the
Yadkin. in North Carolina, attracted
thence by the greater facilities for ac-
quiring the means of support for his
large family.
Boone then had the pursuit of farmer
and hunter TO combine. 1t was here
also that Boone met and married his
wife, Rebecca Bryan.
He was Il great hunter, and fond of
the secluded life of the woods. When
settlers hogan to make their presence
felG by their numbers Boone would
move some hundred miles further into
the forest. Having heard of the mar
yelous resources of the country beyond
the mountains he was seized with the
desire to explore it. In 1860, with five
companions, he set out on an eNpedi-
ton into what is now Kentucky re-
gion then unknown-inhabited only by
wild beasts and Indians. One or two of
his companions lost their lives, while
he was captured by Indians, but twice
escaped.
In 1873 he and his brother, with six
including their own, and 40
men, started for Kentucky. Owing to
the numerous attacks of the savages
they were forced to stop at the Clinch
river. In one of the engagements
Boone lost his eldest son. loss deeply
felt by his wife and himself.
He sent his family back 10 their old
home on the Yadkin, but two years
later ne built a fort at Boonesborough
an established himself there with them.
Shortly after this, while returning
from the famous Blue Liclls, where he
had gone to procure salt for the gnrri-
son, he was captured by the Indians and
taken to Detroit.
Here he was adopted into the family
Of Blackfsh, a Shawanese chief. where
he remained some time. Learning that
they mcditatcd an attack upon Boones-
borough he made his escape. travelling
to the fort, distance of 100 miles, in
four days, pursued by $50 Indians. In
that time ne tasted food but once. Ar.
irving at the fort he repulsed the attack
Of 445 Indians with only 80 men. He
was tried by court-martial for having
but was acquitted and pro-
noted to major.
While his claim was pending his wife |
lied, in March, 1919. Boone followed |
seven years later. He died at the resi- |
fence OF his son. Maj. Boone, at Char |
'tte, Mo. the 26th of September, 1920. |
they were both buried in Missouri.
In 1SlS after the remains had In In fnr /