The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1955-06-16
Brddy's Leap

Back in 1880 Samuel Brady lived
in a cabin on Charters creek, on the
south side of the Ohio River, on the
Virginia side.
A large band of warriors from
around Cayuga falls was terrorizing
the frontier near the settlement of
Catfish camp, in Ster Washington
County. 1t had murdered several
families and with their plunder had
recrossed the Obio before pursuit
could be organized.
Brady got up a party of chosen
followers and Started in pursuit of
the savages who by that time had a
day or two start on them. Brady was
a venturesome man, large and force
full and had bested the Indians in
many prior fights he had with them.
He was much hated by the savages.
Near present Ravenna the Indians
split, one hand going north and the
other west of the lCuyahoga falls.
Brady's men also separated, part fol-
lowing the Indians west and the
others with Brady gbing to the Indian
village in later Northampton Town
ship, Summit County. Despite the
white mems stealth the Indians ex-
pected them and set watchmen. The
whites retreated+ +they were outnum-
bered four to one. The Indians pur-
sued the white men and the pursuit
quickly became b disorganized fight.
Brady told them l'every man for him
self" and the posse scattered. Recog-
nizing Brady and hating him so bit
terly, they abandoned chase of the
others and all took after Brady. Their
idea was to take him alive and put
him to death by torture.
There the Cnyahoga River makes a
wide bend to the south leaving large
area inside the bend in the fork of a
peninsula. Down this peninsula the
pursuit was hot one and by extend
ing their lines right and left the In
dams forced Brady to the bank of the
river. He was familiar with the lay
of the ground, having often hunted
there. He made for point where the
river is compressed by rocky cliffs as
or so feet high but the stream itself
was only 22,feet wide. Because of the
narrows it was extremely swift. With
the savages behind and on both sides
his only chance was 10 jump the river
As Brady reached the river bank h,
gathered all his strength and jumped
The spot where he landed on the op
posite side of the riker was bit low
er than that whepe he took off an
though he barely bhade it he was abl
to grab some of the bushes and pul
himself onto thefbank.
For a momenr the Indians were los
in wonder and hdmiration and befor
they realized Il the fleeing white ma
was up the bill and away but sti
within rifle rSnge. Still hoping to tax
him alive the savages did not shoo
Then fearing he was about to escap
all fired on the running man. He wa
hit in the hip but kept on running.
The Indians had to make wide dt
tour to cross the stream and by tn
time they had done Brady was we
away. His leg was getting stiff frol
the wound and the Indians were gain
ing on him. Brady made for a pond
- which still is nafned for him-an
plunging in swan far under watt
until he came up Aunder big oak lo
fallen into the water. The log We
hollow one and quite large with i
top striking out above the surface.
was a tight squeeze but Brady g.
into the hollow and could breath Il
free air from above through it.
one time the pursuers stood on the lc
and Brady, who knew Indian, cou
hear and understand their convers
ton. He learned that they believe