Life among the Indians: Or, Personal Reminiscences and Historical Incidents Illustrative of Indian Life and Character, by James B. Finley; Edited by D.W. Clark

Preface

No living maiij probably, has seen and known more of the Indians in the north-west than myself. During almost seventy years I have been among them, as it were — have been acquainted with their principal men, studied their history, character, and manner of life. With me it has not been, as with most who have written about them, a mere matter of theory; for I have been among them, hunted and fished with them, ate and lodged in their wigwams, and been subjected to all the labors, excitements, perils, and privations of life among them. In this long experience and observation, I have gtirthered up many things which I thought worthy of record. Some of them occurred in my experience as a missionary among them.

Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, were the great battle-fields between barbarism and civilization in the west My acquaintance extended

PREFACE.

over all these states; and there is scarcely a spot celebrated in Indian warfare which I have not visited again and again. Tales of Indian life and warfares were the entertainments of my childhood; the reahties of these things were among the experiences of my manhood. Now^, when the scene is nearly over with me on earth, I have gathered up these reminiscences of the past, to amuse and instruct the generations of a later age. Those who enjoy so goodly a heritage in this vast region, ought to know through what trials and perils their forefathers obtained it for them.

I have endeavored to connect the facts narrated in these pages, so as to give a condensed view of Indian history in the north-west. In the preparation of the work I am indebted to Flint, M'Donald, Drake, Schoolcraft, and others. Col. McDonald's work was written at my suggestion, and a portion of the material was also furnished by me; consequently, I have felt free to draw upon it. The work of Mr. Flint is rich in the materials of history; but they are so entirely commingled and without system, as to detract much from its value. This work is also out of print; and I have gleaned from it some narrations of

PREl^ ACE.

interest. But the great body of the matter has been gleaned from my own resources — not a little of it, indeed, connected with my own experience.

Thus I send this work out, hoping that it embodies some historic elements and some practical lessons that may be useful to those who now Hve, and also to those who shall come after liie.

The Author.

CHAPTER I. EEMO/AJi TO THE NORTH-WESTERN TERRITORY

Emigration to the North-Western Territory— The country a wilderness — Uncertainty of land titles — Slavery— Scioto Valley : Its great fertility — Col. Massie — Defense — Columbia — Gallipolis — The "Three Islands" — Surveys — Attack — Donaldson : His capture — Escape — " Donaldson's creek " — Massie's narrow escape — Ellison's capture — Runs the gantlet — Is imprisoned — Edgington killed — A race for life — Manner of surveying— Manner of Lodging — Attack contemplated — Indians escape — Another battle — Action at Brush creek — Settlement at Chillicothe — ■ Scioto — The Finley family emigrate — A Wyandott killed — Indians demand the murderer — Refused — Two innocent men killed in revenge — Whisky — A pioneer magistrate — Stolen collar — Thief whipped — Rapid settlements • • • • • • • • Page 17

Chapter II. Incidents Of Indian Life And Warfare

Chillicothe — Shawnees — Mrs. Dennis : Becomes a squaw, physician, and nurse — Becomes celebrated — Her escape — Indians pursue — Fire upon her — She conceals herself— Crosses the Ohio — Reaches Greenbrier — Lies down to die — Is discovered and sent forward— Dreadful revenge — Daniel Boone — He is captured— Adopted by a chief — Shows great skill in hunting — Is compelled to make salt — Resolves to escape — Succeeds — An encounter with savages — The Indians are routed — Anecdote — The jjtolen venison — The Indian's inquiry — His acuteness- -Duke Holland — A savage murder — Pursuit of the murderers — Mode af tracking them — Discover them — Cowardice — Report at home — Pressure of emigration — ■ Indian hostilities and barbarities— Combination against them — Chillicothe attacked — Plan of Attack — Retreat — Colonel Bowman — Captains Logan and Harrod — ^Black-Foot killed — Kentucky rangers — Various tribes — The monster Girty— General Harmar— Colonel Hardin — A se-

CONTENTS.

vere conflict— The number slain — General St. Clair — Terrible barbarities— Loud call for vengeance — Great mourning — Two thousand settlers killed — Movements against the savages — A general action — Geneial Butler killed— The whites flee— Reach Fort Washington— The Mississayo chief— His great military skill— General Scott— Indians attacked— Their defeat complete — Final great battle — General Wayne— Fort Recovery— Miami of the Lakes — Offers of peace to the savages— Evasive reply— Preparations for battle— Savages completely routed— British post — Indian towns and corn destroyed — Treaty of peace — emigration Page 45

Chapter III. Indian Cruelties

Provocations to the Indians — Moravian missionaries — Their mission villages— Colonel Williamson and his company — Moravian Indians give up their arms — Are confined — Entreaty for mercy — Prayers and praises in prison— One hundred Christian Indians murdered — Savages greatly exasperated — Revenge impending — Colonel Crawford and his expoaition — Attacked and defeated by the Indians— Colonel Crawford and Dr. Knight captured — Wingenund — Interview between Wingenund anu Crawford — The interview unsuccessful — Preparations for the horrible tragedy — Crawford appeals to Girty — His answer — Captain Pipe — Thb rush upon Crawford — Horrible tortures — The brutal Girty — His words to Knight — Crawford faints — Is scalped — Dies — Dr. Knight escapes — • Crawford's son meets the same fate — Another tragedy — A white family attacked — Most of them murdered — Mr. Morgan — Struggle for life — Dunkard's creek — Mrs. Bozarth — Her Heroism — Mrs. Merrill — She kills seven savages — The boys, Henry and James Johnson — Their brave exploit and escape from captivity • 68

Chapter IV. Indian Tribes In The North-western Territory

Leading Indian nations — Indian origin unknown — Their own traditions differ — Different names of the same tribes — Wyandotts or Hurons — Their territory— The " Grand Fathers " — War with the Six Nations- Origin of the Seminoles — Wyandotts' removal west — Their wars with other tribes — Their humane and hospitable character — Their bearing toward tribes at peace— Treatment of prisoners — Their great number— Their heroic valor— The great change— The Indians despair — The "Five Nations " — Their territory — Reason of their name — Called Iroquois by the French — Tradition about their origin — Mohawks the oldest — Ouei-

CONTENTS.

das — Onondagas — Senecas — Cayugas — Tuscaroras — Mr. Thatcher — Adirondacks — Their warlike character — Their alliance with the French — Iroquois prevail — Become the leading tribe of the continent — Piskardt , greatly celebrated — Great exploit — Other strange adventures of Piskaret — Scattering of the tribes before the Iroquois — ^Extent of their ter ritory — Lose their pre-eminence with the advance of civilization — Origin of Ottawas, Chippewas, and Pottawatamies — Their emigrations—Detroit— Pontiac and the North-Western tribes — Braddock*s defeat- -Great influence of Pontiac — Colonel Rogers — The two meet — Pontiac's demand — Rogers's reply— Pontiac's response — His friendship toward the English — His curiosity — Desire to visit England — His change toward the English — Plan of operations — Unfolds his plan to his tribe — The Ottawas warmly sympathize — The great Indian alliance — War — Nine British stations captured — Traders taken — Horrible devastations — • Indian strategy — ^Mackinaw and Detroit — The Delawares— William Penn — Captain Pipe — White-Eyes — Fate of the Shawnees — Cincinnati Gazette — Sarcoxie — His hospitality — Missourians and Yankees — The Indian girl — Lodging — The papoose — Moravian missions — Horrible massacre of peaceful Indians at Conestoga — Shawnees — Originally from the South — Their character — Alliance against them — Emigrate north — Principal headquarters — Names of the Shawnee tribes — Sitting in council — Origin of the name Piqua — Shawnees' theory of races — Their explanation of their condition — Their decline — Condition in 1840 — Civilization — Policy of the Government — Treaties with the several tribes — Government appropriations to the Indian tribes Page 92

Chapter V. 6iboe Of Detkoit And The Death Op Pontiac

Detroit in 1763— Fortifications— Garrison — Major Gladwin — Indian plan — Detection—" Bloody Bridge " — Carver's statement — The Indian woman — Her revelation — Active preparations — Pontiac admitted within the fort — Addresses Major Gladwin — Is ordered from the fort — Attacks the fort — Driven back — A treaty proposed — Major Campbell and Lieutenant M'Dougal sent to treat — Are detained — Hostilities renewed — A fleet of boats approach — Is attacked by the Indians and captured — Another attempt to relieve the garrison — Indians attempt to board the vessels — Defeated— Extracts from letters to Atlantic papers, 1763 — Fate of Major Campbell — M'Dougal escapes — Detroit reinforced — Attack on the Indians contemplated — Is unsuccessful— Indians weary of the war — Pontiac's army reduced — ^Wyandotts of Sandusky — General Bradstreet, — A grand council — Peace — Pontiac disappears — Goes to the Illinois — Letter respecting him — Is assassinated — ^His great influence — His death revenged — His memory revered by his countrymen 128

CONTENTS.

Chapter VI

PALL OF MACKINAWAND CAPTIVITYOF MR. HENRY.

Mr. Henry — Hostile disposition of the Indians — Plan against the garrison— M. Ducharme — Strength of the garrison — Gathering of Indians — Major Etherington — Wawatam — His friendship for Henry — Occasion of it — His present — His second visit — His talk with Henry — Urges him to leave the fort — Indians in great numbers — Baggatiway — Suspicions- - Mr. Tracy — War cry — The Massacre begun — Henry seeks refuge — M. Langlade — A Pani woman — Sheltered in a garret — Horrible scene of blood — Indian search — The concealment — Dark prospect — Respite of sleep — Is discovered — Wenniway— His appearance — A reprieve— Still in danger — Life attempted — A narrow escape — Other prisoners— Number killed — The Jesuit missionary — Distressing suspense — Destitute condition — Isles du Castor— Seized by Ottawas — Ottawas take possession of the fort — Complaint of the Chippewas— Prisoners returned to the Chippewas — Desperate condition — Wawatam — His speech — ^The reply— Henry delivered to Wawatam — More murders — A horrid feast- English traders seized — Council seized — Fears of the Indians — Mourning custom — Canoes captured — Drunkenness — Origin of the name Mackinaw— Place of safety — Proves to be a place of bones and skulls — Final Escape Page 150

CHAPTER YII.

TECUMSEH ANB HIS WAR.

Tecumseh — His character — Apprehensions — His father — Birth — Early bravery — John Waggoner — His escape — Murder of his family — Tecumseh's obstinacy in fight — His influence extending — A stout Kentuckian — His alarm— Tecumseh's expression — His brother, "the Prophet" — Tecumseh^s theory respecting Indian lands — Governor Harrison's letter to the Secretary of War — Tecumseh at Vincennes— Captain Floyd's account — The council — Tecumseh states his objections to the treaty of Fort Wa^ne — His declaration of his position — Governor Harrison replies— Tecumseh's singular conduct — Winnemac — Eev. Mr. Winans — Harrison demands an explanation — Tecumseh's reply — Harrison breaks up the council — Listens to Tecumseh's explanations next day — Position of other chiefs — The Governor's answer — Governor visits Tecumseh's camp — Further conversation — The overflowing water — The dam — Teoumseh*s proposal and threat — Final declaration — Reflections on Tecumseh's conduct at the council — Bearing of the Indians — Wrongly treated by the whites — Harrison's Testimony — Military force secured for emerg-

CONTENDS.

encies — Harrison's speecli to the Indians — Tecumseh's reply — Frequent Indian murders and robberies — Another council — Tecumseh in the south — Interview with Big Warrior — His strange threat — Its singular fulfillment — Harrison's efforts for peace — Assurances of the Prophet--- Battle of Tippecanoe— Defeat of the Indians — Their rage against the Prophet — Loses his popularity and power — Tecumseh returns from the south — Reproaches the Prophet — Declares his peaceful intentions — Insincerity— Joins the British Page 182

CHAPTEE VIII.

DEATH OF TECUMSES.

War with Great Britain — Tecumseh declares his real position — Crosses to Brownstown — Attacks Major Van Horne, who retreats — General Hull- Battle with the British and Indians— General Brock — Tecumseh 's sketch of the country — Investment of Fort Meigs — Battle — Proctor's plans — His pledge to Tecumseh — Capture of Colonel Dudley — Murder of his troops — Tecumseh's interference — Releases the Shawnee captives — Becomes disheartened — Meditates withdrawal from the contest — Is prevented— Address to Proctor — Proctor's promises — Tecumseh's prediction of his death — Arrangement of the British forces — Arrangement of the Americans — British in open ordei — Colonel Johnson's charge— British recoil — Surrender — Loss on either side — Tecumseh's conduct — His fate — • Description of him 209

CHAPTER IX.

JOHN STEWART.

The Wyandott nation — Its degradation— Roman Catholics — Their instruction— John Stewart — Origin — Birthplace— Emigration — Dissipation — Conviction and conversion — Joins the Methodist Church — Call to preach — Voices from the North-west — Impressions to travel thither — Sets off — Reaches Goshen — Goes to Pipetown — Indian dance — Stewart sings — Indians listen — "Sing more" — Exhorts — Goes to Upper Sandusky— Suspected to be a slave — Finds friends — Jonathan Pointer — Becomes Stewart's interpreter — Meetings — Some Indians converted — Persecution — The Catholic priest — Stewart's Bible — Mrs. Walker — • Great religious interest — Pointer's conversion — Stewart's faithfulness — John Hicks — His speech — Mononcue — His views — Stewart replies— A fresh revival — The power of the Spirit — Heathen efforts — Great feast and dance— Stewart leaves Sandusky — Regrets — Promises to return — Goes to Marietta — His letter to Mr. Walker — Accompanying address U> the Indians 233

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEKX.

ackslidings and disorders — Stewart's perseverance — Opposition — Meani used — Stewart has some success — Returns to Marietta — Again among the Indians — Interference — Moses Grume's remarks of Stewart — Local preachers aid Stewart— John P, Finley — Robert Armstrong — Mission taken into the regular work — J. Montgomery — R. Bigelow — R. W. Finley — Moses Henkle—First Indian quarterly meeting — Between-the- Logs's testimony — John Hicks's — Scuteash — Mononcue's interesting speech — Finley's address — Meeting appointed — Mononcue, speaker — Henkle reappointed--1820— First Indian mission of the Method'^t Episcopal Church — School proposed — Indian address to the conference Page 257

CHAPTER XI.

THE AUTHOR APPOINTED MISSIONABY TO THK

WYANDOTTS.

Finley missionary to the Wyandotts — Preparations for moving — The mis sion family — Safe arrival — Camp Meigs — Accident — Recovery — Hard work — Cold winter— Stewart — Happy death of an Indian woman — Society formed — Rules — Numbers increase — Influences of traders and whisky — Indian god, the devil — Indian exhortation — The squaw's dream — Sugar-making — Raccoons and molasses — Winter hunting-camps — Raccoon traps — Bears in winter — Mode of catching them — Their young — Bear-oil — Indian provision in war — Meetings at the hunting-camps— Preaching — Mononcue's views of rum-making and selling — Use of law— Confession of faults — Plain talk — The heathen party-^ Judicious instruction — Indian camp meeting — The desert blossoms as the rose — A squaw converted on horseback — Sicknesi— Triumph — Recovery— Stewart — Provision for him — Chiefs at the conference — Their address — Bishop M'Kendree's reply 283

CHAPTER XII.

VISIT TO NBIGHBOE*ING TRIBES.

Author appointed to Lebanon district and superintendent of the mission — Charles Elliott, missionary — School rapidly increases — Great opposition— Bloody-Eyes — Threatens his brother — Is converted — Dies in peace — De-un-quot and his party — The sermon — The Indian a reply — The missionary's answer — The chief becomes excited— Death of De-un-

CONTENTS.

quot — Between-the-Logs and the fraudulent trader— The trial — "Visit to the neighboring tribes — Difference of Presbyterians and Methodists— Rescue of Jonathan — Van Meter — He is made class-leader — Fort Ball — Seneca chiefs— Speech of the head chief — Answered by Between-the-Logs — Recommends the true religion — Hicks speaks — Mononcue speaks — His stirring eloquence — An Indian recognized after twenty-five years — Rattlesnake root — Seneeas and Delawares •••Page 324

CHAPTER XIII.

BISHOP M*KENDREB AND THE MISSION.

^luarterly meeting — Eloquent address of Between-the-Logs — Revival — ■ The mission school — Bishop M'Kendree — His letter respecting the mission— His notice of the schools — Opinion of the chiefs about the schools — Letter of Mr. Johnston — Temptations — The Sabbath — The Indian's Christian experience — The true civilization — Importance of a skillful interpreter — Evil influence of white men — The Indian to the Indian agent — ^Expense of the mission — The national brand — Journal of acts — Stand against polygamy and adultery — Case of divorce— A great advance — Indian independence of character — Discipline of children—Favorable traits 347

CHAPTER XIV.

EXCUBSION TO THE NORTHERN TRIBES.

fl**ppointment to the mission — Jacob Hooper— Mrs. Hooper — Instruction wo extend missionary labors — Governor Cass — His statement of facts — Crtiippewas — John Stewart — His feeble health — Death — Start for the toofth — Reflections amid the journey — Lodging — Anecdote of Indian vi-f — Black Swamp — The ring-hunt — Fording the Maumee — An Indian Christian — View of rum-selling — Praying in the snow — DiflSculti(^ — Honnis — His address — His history — Fort Maiden — Reaches Detroit— Interview with Governor Cass — Kish-a-kauk-o — His desperate character — Adam Brown — Preaching to the Indians — A Church organized— First Methodist Indian society In Canada — Journeyings and preaching — Returns to Detroit — A time of refreshing. 377

CHAPTER XV.

CONVERTED INDIANS ON A WINTER HUNT.

Return journey — Sea-biscuit — Crossing the Maumee — Reaches the mis- Kon — Heathenism at work — Objections to the Bible — Difi&culties with the sub-agent — Mission defended — Indian honesty— Revival— Its influ-

CONTENTS.

cmo among the cliildren— Hannah Armstrong — Her conversion — Triumphant death — The winter hunt — Instructions — Christian steadfastness— Indiaof reprove the whites — Astonishment — Sum-mun-de-wat — His interview with a preacher — Eeturn of the hunting mrty to the mission — Efforts against religion — Reasoning with the erring — Friendships— Improvements — Policy of the mission — Place of worship — Visit to Washington — Monroe— Calhoun Page 402

CHAPTER XV I.

BISHOPS M'KENDREE AND SOULE IN COUNCIL WITH THE INDIANS.

Missionary meeting, Baltimore, 1824 — Addresses — Author reports the Mrork among the Wyandotts — Summerfield — His address — Amusing account — The little girl's penny and shilling — William Wirt — Visit to the mission by M'Kendree and Soule — Bishop Soule's account — Appearance of the crops — Public worship — Great devotion of the Indians — The school — Promising appearance of the children — Monoucue's address to the Bishop — Punch — Peacock — Sum-mun-de-wat — Gray-Eyes — • Big-Tree — Washington — Two-Logs — Joseph Williams — Mononcue's closing speech — Mr. Walker — Good prospects 424

CHAPTER XVII.

REMOVAL OF THE WYANDOTTS.

Return to the mission, 1824 — Removal of the Indians — Their opposition— Their appeal to Government — Reply of the Department — The pledge of the Go\ ernment renewed — Indians quieted — Two things requisite— Permanent establishment of the school — Division of lands- General Cass — Removal still agitated — Exhibit of condition and claims of the Wyandotts — A conquered enemy — Become faithful friends — A merciful tribe — Civilization probable — Pledge of Government— Pretext for removal — Pretext examined — Author's views of removal — dumber in society — Death of Robert Armstrong — His early capture — Adoption of Indian habits and life — Became an interpreter— Became a Christian — His character — Last sickness — Author ai^pointed sub-agent — Scuteash — His fall — Promises reform— Falls again— His sun sets in a cloud • • ♦ 442

CHAPTER XVIII.

VISIT TO THE EAST WITH INDIAN CHIEFS,

Author returned to the mission, 1825— John C. Brooke— A hazardous journey — A terrible night — Conversion of Scionta— His former cliar-

CONTENTS.

acter — Powerful conviction and conversion— Great stir — His persevef' ance — 'A powerful influence — Statistics of the mission — Letter of invitation to the missionary anniversary — The journey — The party — Reception at Buffalo— Canal boat — Captain Smith — Sabbath — Preaching— The Indian prayer and exhortation — Effect — Arrive at Albany — New York — Noise of the city — Sight-seeing — The sea-turtle— Gas-light exhibition — The party lionized — The anniversary— Bascom's sermon — Between-the-Logs — His account of Catholic influence — Seneca prophe* Shawnee prophet — Finley and Mononcue follow — Durbin's speech — Philadelphia— Dr. Sargent — Sam. Merwin— Meetings — ^Water- works — Baltimore — Bishops Soule and M'Kendree— Great interest — Baltimore camp meeting — Thrilling address of Between-the-Logs — ^Washington City— Judge M'Lean— Return home Page 463

DIVISION OF THE WTANDOTT LANDS.

Author's health impaired — M'Kendree's influence — His address to the Indian Christians — Reply — The Bishop's valedictory — Solemn parting — Division of land — Principles of the division — Principles approved by the chiefs — Good effect of the division — Mononcue's letter to the author, 1830— Happy death of Big-Tree's wife — Murder — The Murderer executed— Big George — His wife — Her conversion — Marries Sum-mun-de-wat — Her triumphant death — The fruitful cause of Indian murder 490

CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XX.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

VIII. The Crane, or Tarhe

I. Captain John

II. Captain Lewis

III. Captain Shigser

IV. Little Turtle • ■

V. Billy Wyandott and wife

VI. John Van Meter

VIL Black-Hoof

IX. De-un-quot

X. Keokuk

XI. Sum-mun-de-wat

LIFE AMONG THE INDIANS.

Chapter I. Removal To The North-western Territory

In the spring of 1796, I emigrated to the North- Western territory, and commenced planting corn on the prairie, a little below where Chillicothe noAV stands. The country was then a dense wilderness. There was not even a " blazed path connecting with Wheeling, Va., or Maysville, Ky.; nor was there a single inhabitant along all the route. Civilization now began to assert the supremacy of her claim to the uncultivated land over which the native savage and the wild beast had roamed for untold ages. This was, in reality, life among the Indians and especially was it the commencement of a series of events m my personal history, as related to the Indians, which I design to record in this volume.

My father, after emigrating to Kentucky, purchased some land, and settled near the present town of Flemingsburg. This was in 1789. Ours was the

frontier house of the settlement, and we were much

2 17

LIFE A M 0 N G THE INDIANS.

exposed to the incursions of Indians and wild beasts. The next year we moved to Bourbon county. Here ]iiy fjither ministered to two congregations — one at Cane Ridge, the other at Concord. Both were pros- })erous in a high degree.

But we found here also causes of serious discontent. There w^as great uncertainty among the settlers as to the title to their lands. Some of them had spent their last fcirthing in the purchase of their lands; and tlieiij after encountering all the dangei's and toils of pioneer life, in clearing and bringing them under cultivation, some other claimant would come and dispossess them of their homes. In such cases there was often no redress. The unprincipled speculator, having sold his spurious title, would disappear, and when the defrauded settler discovered that his claim was worthless, could not be found. My father was also utterly opposed to the system of slavery which prevailed in Kentucky, and had liberated his slaves. This brought down upon him the ill-will and persecution of the fiery advocates of the system. The main body of both his congregations, hoAvever, strongly sympathized with him in his antislavejy views ; and the mutual ties that bound them together w^ere so strong, that nearly the Avhole of them finally emigrated with him to the North- Western territory.

While this state of things existed on the Kentucky aide of the river, their attention w^as drawn to the -ich lands of the Scioto Valley. These lauds had

COL. massie's station.

been survej^ed by Col. Massie, in 1792, and he gave the most glowing accounts of the fertility of the soil and the beauty of the scenery. My father, in the latter part of 1794, opened a negotiation with Massie for a tract of from fifteen to twenty miles square, for the settlement of his tw^o congregations, and such other friends from eastern Pennsylvania, as might choose to join him. On the succeeding March, Col. Massie visited him at his residence. Here he had an interview with a large company of those who were anxious to emigrate, and arrange • ments for that purpose were made. A day was fixed upon for a general rendezvous at Massie's Station, now Manchester, and my father took immediate measures to apprise his friends in the east of the arrangements, and the prospects of the enterprise.

Massie's Station was about twelve miles above Maysville, but upon the opposite side of the river. The settlement had been made in 1791, and now consisted of about thirty families. They were strongly intrenched in their log-cabins, and the whole town ^as inclosed with strong pickets firmly fixed in the ground, with block-houses at each angle for defense. Though the most desperate Indian war was then ragmg, and fearful barbarities were committed by the savages, this settlement, owing to its excellent preparations for defense, and the watchfulness of the brave spirits that guarded it, sulTered comparatively litile. Even their agricultural labors were prosecuted with comparative safety; for having cleared the loAvest of

-0 fFE AMOi>G THE INDIANS.

the "Three Islands," which were in the river just opposite to their settlement, they planted it with corn The soil was very rich, and the crops abundant, so that the wants of the little settlement were abundantly supplied. Besides this, there were at this time only two settlements on the north-western bank of the Ohio— one at Columbia, eight miles above Cincinnati, and one at Gallipolis, near the mouth of the Great Kanawha. These were the germs of the grea^ north-w^estern states, which now, in population, enterprise, wealth, and refinement, take their rank as stars of the first magnitude in the glorious constellation of our Union.

The location at the " Three Islands " was the headquarters of Massie's surveying party. From this point he went out in every direction, surveying the country and making locations. An incident may illustrate the perilous nature of this work. It was his invariable rule to keep spies around him; and if signs of Indians in the neighborhood were discovered, he would retire to his strongly-fortified post. At one time, however, in the spring of 1792, while prosecuting his surveys, accompanied by three men — one of them named Donaldson — a party of Indians suddenly came upon them. Fortunately, the Indians had left their arms in their canoe, at the landing. Massia and his party fled. The Indians, with horrid yells, pursued them. Descending a hill, the party had to leap a ravine some tv/elve feet in w^idth, and about the same depth. Three of them succeeded in eflfect-

INDIAN CAPTURE.

mg the leap ; but poor Donaldson failed to reach firm footing on the opposite bank, and fell back into the ditch. The other three made good their escape to the Station, and gave the alarm. The next morning, with a party of twenty men, Massie returned to learn the fate of his companion, and to rescue him, if possible. He found that Donaldson had evidently been captured and taken off by the Indians. He pursued their trail some distance, but found no chance to surprise them; and knowing that if the Indians were aware of his pursuit, they would immediately butcher the unfortunate Donaldson, while, if left unmolested, they might spare him till he found some chance to escape, he gave over the pursuit. He judged rightly — Donaldson finally escaped.

When he made his unfortunate plunge, the foremost Indian was close to his heels, and instantly leaped upon him, tomahawk in hand. Donaldson immediately surrendered, and was made a prisoner. The party consisted of eight or ten Indians, who had been trapping, up the Big Sandy, and were now on their return to Wapatomaka — now Zanesfield — ob Mad river. It was late in the evening when they took him, and they immediately loaded him with their peltry, and made a rapid march homeward. In a few days he began to think about effecting his escape, although the difficulties against which he had to contend were great, owing to the extreme caution and watchfulness of the Indians. At night they took a strong tug — a rope made of the raw hide of the buffalo or elk — and fastened it around his body, each end of the tug being tied around the body of an Indian. The tug was tied so tightly, that it could not be slipped, nor could he move to the one side or the other without drawing the Indian after him. It was from such a situation he had to extricate himself. One night, while the Indians were tying him after the usual manner, he puffed up his body to its full extent, by drawing in his breath ; and when they had com pleted the process, he found that there was a good deal of play in the noose of the tug. He laid very still till the Indians were fast asleep; then, having partly undressed himself, he began slowly and cau tiously to slip from the noose. After a long trial he succeeded, and found himself once more a free man. He instantly rushed to the thickets. The night was clear, and he could steer his course by the stars. Striking off in a southern direction, he traveled all night. The next day he fell on Harmer's old trace, and followed its course to the south. In two days he reached Fort Washington, now Cincinnati. Here he remained a few days to recruit himself, and then returned to his friends at Massie's Station, where he was most joyfully received, as they had felt great anxiety as to his fate. The creek, at the mouth of which he was taken, was called after him "Donaldson's Creek;" which name it still retains, and will retain when the event which gave birth to Its name will be forgotten. About the year 1840, Mr. Donaldson was still living at the old settlement—