The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-04-28
Interesting History

the deepest impression upon the
people of the county was that be-
tween the Wyandots and the set
tiers in 1882, generally knows as
:EstilPs Defeat. These Indians
were among the most warlike
and cruel then living in Northern
Ohio. They made their appear
ance in Madison in 1882, and
created great alarm. Early in
March of that year they entered
a cabin near EstilPs Station and
scalped woman and her two
daughters. Their conduct, the
battle with Estill and the events
leading to it are so well described
in an article by the Rev. w. G..
Montgomery in the Southern
Christian Advocate of May 9th,
1915, that copy it entire.
"On the 10Th of March, 1882,
Indian RATS, without any one on
them, were seen floating down
the Kentucky river past Boones-
borough. Intelligence of this
fact was Immediately dispatched
to Capt. James Estill at his sta
ton, fifteen miles. from Boones-
borough. Estill lost not mo-
ment in collecting a force to go
in search of the Indians, not
doubling from his knowledge of
their character that they designed
an immediate blow at his or some
of the neighboring stations. From
his own and nearest stations he
raised twenty-five men. Joseph
Proctor was of the number.
Whilst Estill and his men were
on this expedition the Indians
suddenly appeared around his
station at the dawn of day on the
10th day March, killed and scalp
ed Miss Gass, and took Munk, a
slave of Capt. Estill, captive,
The Indians Immediately and
hastily retreated in consequence
of a highly exaggerated account
Munk gave them of the strength
of the station and the number of
fighting men in it. No sooner
had the Indians commenced their
retreat then the women in the
fort (the men being allabsent ex-
cept one on the sick list dis
patched two boys the late Gener-
al Samuel South and Peter Hack,
ett-to take the trail of Estill and
his men and, overtaking them,
give information of what had
transpired in the fort. The boys
succeeded in coming up between
the mouths of Drowning Creek
and Red river. After a short
search, Estill struck the trail OF
the retreating Indians. 1t was
resolved at once to make pursuit,
and no time was lost in doing so.
On the ever-memorable day Of
March %, 1882, in the now Mt
Sterling, Capt EstiT's party came
up with the Indians. They prov.
ed to be Wyandots, and twenty
five in number, exactly that OF
Capt. EstilPs band. The ground
was highly favorable to the In
dian mode of warfare, but Estill
and his men, without a moments
hesitation, boldly and fearlessly
commenced an attack upon them
and the latter was as boldly and
fearlesSly (for they were picked
warriors engaged in the bloody
combat. 1t is, however, painful
to record that in the very on sci
Lieut.. Miller, of EstilPs party
with six men under his command
ingloriously fled from the fields
thereby causing the death o.
many brave soldiers. Hence Els
tilTs party numbered eighteen
and the Wyandots twenty-five
Between these parties, at the dis
lance of fifty yards, the battle
ragged for the space of two hours
Deeds of desperate daring were
common. On either side wound!
and deaths were inflicted, neithe
party advancing or retreating
Every man to his man, anl
every man to his tree. Capt
Estill was now covered will
blood from a wound received
early in the action; nine of hi
brave companions lay dead upol
the field, and four others were 81
disabled by their wounds as to b
, unable to continue the fight
Estills fighting men were nov
! reduced to four. Among thi
number was Joseph Proctor. TIL
: 1850 lo,5ax ~ +l,;e Cr,x+,, I,,,,