The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-09-25
BooNE's NEGLECTED. GRAVE.
Relic Hunters Have shsmefuIly Defaced
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 foot high, the only in
scriptions being Daniel Boone" and
"Rebecca Boone" on either side. There
are four bas-reliefs, representing vari-
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 nn-
other 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 to
Lawrenccburg. 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
Boone's time.
The monument Is in good condition,
but for the desecration of 1t by curlos-
ity seekers. Like many other historical
objects it has suffered. 1t has been
Clipped so that in 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 a leg. Mrs. Boone's head has gone,
and even Boone himself has been scalped
by some later-day savages, 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 az
original portrait by Chester Harding,
made by him in 1920, just after a visit
to Boone. It Is undoubtedly the best,
If not the only, portrait Of this extraor-
dinary man.
Daniel Boone was the most success
ful explorer the clark and bloody
ground" ever had. He went alone into
the woods remaining for days at q
time, hundreds of miles from human
habitation. His sense of smell was as
keen as an Indians, and he was equal to
any of them in tracing scent or fol-
lowing trail.
He was born February IL, 1875, about
20 miles from Philadelphia When he
was three his father, Squire Boone,
moved his family to Reading, Pa, at
that time 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 great hunter, and fond of
the secluded life of the woods. When
settlers began to make their presence
felt by their numbers Boone would
move some hundred miles further into
the forest. Having heard of the mar
velous resources of the country beyond
the mountains he was seized with the
desire to explore 1t. In 1769, with five
companions, he set out on an expedi,
tion into what is now Kentucky-a re
gion then nknown-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 1773 he and his brother, with six
families, 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, q loss deeply
felt by his wife and himself.
He sent his family back to their old
home on the Yadkin, but two years
later he built fort at Boonesborough
an established himself there with them.
Shortly after this, while returning
from the famous Blue Licl1s, where he
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 meditated an attack upon Boones-
borough he made his escape, travelling
to the fort, distance OF 160 miles, in
four days, pursued by 45o Indians. In
that time he tasted food but once. Ar
irving at the fort he repulsed the attack
Of 445 Indians with only so men. He
was tried by court-martial for having
surrendered, but was acquitted and pro-
NOTED to major.
While his claim was pending his wife
died, in March, 1918. Boone followed
seven years later. He died at the resi-
dence of his son, Maj. Boone, at Char
ette, Mo-, the Goth of September, 1920.
They were both buried in Missouri.
In 1S45, after the remains had lain for
25 years, the legislature of Kentucky re-
solved that they should be removed to
Kentucky and buried in the soil he
loved so well. 1t was but fitting
tribute to this great man. The family
having consented, proper persons were
appointed to superintend the removal.
The grave was opened and the remains
brought from Missouri to Frankfort.
On the 18th of September, 1s45, the cere-
monies of the reinterment took place.
The occasion aroused the deepest feel.
u, hn Of