Keep the stories coming! This is what makes it all real for me. Lana Downing ---------- > From: James A Downing <james.a.downing@gte.net> > To: DOWNING-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [DOWNING-L] Part 2 of Francis Downing's Adventures > Date: Saturday, January 09, 1999 12:07 AM > > Part 2 of "Adventures of Francis Downing" posted by Jim Downing > > In reference to the first post where Downing takes off in flight from the > Indians: My father often told me "It's a bad set of legs that will let your > "a**" take a beating !" :-) > > I hope no one finds offense at the length of these posts, but one of the > things I like about genealogy is the wonderful stories that take us back in > time. I only wish that this Downing was one of my line and I wanted to share > it with others in hope that he is in their line. If this story is popular > knowledge among Downing researchers, than I apologize for its length. > Continuing the story...... > > Mr. Downing's name is mentioned in the life of Daniel Boone. He was in every > Indian campaign in which he had a chance to go; was one of the party from > Lexington, or McConnell's Station, which forced their way through Simon > Girty's forces in ambush and safely reached Bryan's Station. He was also in > one of the divisions pursuing Girty after his retreat, which did not come up > until after the "Battle of the Blue Licks." > > When quite a boy he was sent to Lexington by his father on particular > business, when guns were as common an appendage to a man as are pocketknives > in our day. He chanced to be passing where Gen. Charles Scott's forces were > drilling near to Ashland, the subsequent residence of the late Henry Clay, > and without parley or delay he fell into ranks. A friend urged him to go to > Lexington, attend to his business and return home, but he refused to do so. > > Arriving at Louisville (the falls) the friend determined to appeal to Gen. > Scott. He did so, telling the old General that he ought to send Downing back > to his family. Scott had him brought into his presence and thus accosted > him: "Well, my little man, have you a gun?" "Yes, sir." "Have you a horse?" > "Yes, sir." "Have you any money?" "Yes, sir." "Then, d--n it," said Scott, > "let the little fellow go." He did go, and in his eagerness to shoot a "red > skin" in one of his conflicts he came very near being shot in the head. His > guardian friend was warning him not to thus expose himself when a ball aimed > at his head struck the bark of the tree and forced the flying pieces against > his head and in his eyes, giving severe pain. His friend ran to him and > asked, "Are you hurt much?" "I reckon I am," said he, feeling deliberately > the back of his head. "Look for the bullet hole, will you?" > > Mr. Downing lost an eye in early life by the accidental cut of a sword, > while playfully fencing with a friend, which gave character to all his > diseases in after life. He died of apoplexy in Lexington, Ky., in 1831, aged > about sixty. He was beloved and esteemed by all who knew him, and was among > the most amiable of men. > > If you enjoy these stories or think they are a waste of bandwidth, e-mail me > at james.a.downing@gte.net > and I will continue or cease their posting. > > Jim Downing > Sarasota, FL > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== DOWNING Mailing List ==== >