From: "Faith Keahey" <keahey@cyberhighway.net> To: LONGHUNTERS-L@rootsweb.com Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 11:50:03 -0600 Subject: Capt Spencer Records #12 Message-ID: <007d01beb757$8cbbaca0$d632a1d1@keahey> Return-path: <LONGHUNTERS-L-request@rootsweb.com> Received: from mx5.boston.juno.com (mx5.boston.juno.com [207.205.100.54]) by x11.boston.juno.com with SMTP id AAA5YPFQAAE42JXA for <hermfagley@juno.com> (sender <LONGHUNTERS-L-request@rootsweb.com>); Tue, 15 Jun 1999 14:04:48 -0400 (EST) Received: from bl-11.rootsweb.com (bl-11.rootsweb.com [204.212.38.27]) by mx5.boston.juno.com with SMTP id AAA5YPFP9AFSM8QJ (sender <LONGHUNTERS-L-request@rootsweb.com>); Tue, 15 Jun 1999 14:04:47 -0400 (EST) Received: (from slist@localhost) by bl-11.rootsweb.com (8.9.3/8.9.3) id KAA07766; Tue, 15 Jun 1999 10:58:32 -0700 (PDT) Resent-From: LONGHUNTERS-L@rootsweb.com Resent-Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 10:58:32 -0700 (PDT) Resent-Sender: LONGHUNTERS-L-request@rootsweb.com Resent-Message-ID: <fZ4NlB.A.N5B.HRpZ3@bl-11.rootsweb.com> X-Status: Read X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.1 X-Juno-Att: 0 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit About the first of December of this year [1789], Isaac Sellers, my brother Laban's father in law, set out to hunt and took with him a mulatto boy, two horses and his dog. Shortly after, his dog came home, and then we were satisfied that they had been slain by Indians. My brother Laban, John Hughey, and myself set out to hunt for him. The first day we searched on the waters of Locust Creek. The next morning we crossed the dividing ridge, and fell on a small branch of the North Fork of Licking. Going up it, we soon found his camp, where he was lying killed and scalped, his boy and horse taken off. He was lying at the camp on his face, stipped naked. There was a large log within 10 feet from the camp; they had slipped up in the night behind the log, and when he was kindling his fire in the morning, sprung from the log on him, and struck him in the throat, like sticking a hog. This we ascertained was the case, as we saw where they had lain behind the log. He had put some small sticks on the fire, which had burned a small hole in the middle and went out. We carried him about 100 yds, to where a big tree had blown up, and made a deep hole. We laid him in the hole, covered him with a blanket, and cut down all the dirt we could with our tomahawks, on the body. We then placed a large heap of logs over it, to prevent the wolves from getting at it, and then returned home. 1790. I will now relate a dream that I dreamed, though to some it may seem useless, thinking a dream is but a dream. However, I will relate it, and I leave the reader to think what he will of it. About the 1st of March, I set out to hunt with my brother Laban. We hunted off west about 10 miles, and when night fell, went up a small run to its head. After we had encamped, and made a fire, as it was too cold to lay without, we took our horses about 200 yds off and spencilled them, so that if we should be surprised in the night and not get killed, we might get them. We then lay down to sleep, but as it ws dangerous times, we kept all our clothes on except our moccassins, with our shot pouches on, and our guns by our sides, my dog lying by my head. I fell asleep and dreamed that my brother and I had set out to hunt, and where we had hunted. Our going up the run, encamping, and putting out our horses, laying down with our clothes on, my dog laying by my head, everything exactly as it had happened. Then I thought that my dog looked down the run and growled, and that the Indians came rushing on to us, and that it was with much difficulty we made our escape. I awaked, and thought it was but a dream, but soon fell asleep again, and dreamed the same exactly over agains, and waked again. My dog then raised his head looked down the run and growled, just as I dreamed that he did. I then became alarmed, awakened my brother, and told him I suspected the Indians were creeping up on us. I requested him to lay still, till I had raised up and put my moccassins on, then I would lay down, until he had done the same. I supposed that if we both raised up at the same time they would think we were alarmed, and rush on us. Having done so, we both jumped up at once, took up our guns, saddles and blankets, and slipped off to the place where we had put our horses, and sat down, it being about day-break, which was the common time for Indians to make an attack. We then got our horses, set off to hunt, and at night returned home. I thought at the time, and think still, that the Indians were creeping up to us. About the 20th of March [1790], the Indians were on the Ohio, above the mouth of the Scioto, with two prisoners whom they had taken. John May was decending the Ohio in a boat, with 3 men, one of the name of Flinn, but the names of the other two, I have forgotten, and two young women. As soon as they came opposite the Indians, they compelled the prisoners to go on the bank, and raise a lamentable cry, to induce them to land and take them on board, stating that they had been taken captive, but made their escape. But May, thinking it all a deception, madde no attempt to land. They still continued to follow him, and at last being over-persuaded by the women and Flinn, reluctantly consented to land. As soon as the boat struck the bank, the Indians fired on them, killed May and one of the women, and took the rest prisoners. Before the Indians had left the boat, Thomas Marshall of VA, and some other gentlemen, who were decending the Ohio with three boats weakly manned, but heavily laden with horses and store goods, hove in sight. The Indians sprang on board the boat they had taken, compelling the prisoners to assist them, being well manned, soon came opposite to them. They then opened heavy fire on them, who finding that they were not able to cope with the savages, either by fighting or running, abandoned two of their boats with their cargos to the Indians, and all went on board of one boat, and then being well manned shot rapidly ahead. The Indians, seeing themselves fast falling astern, gave up the chase. However, I raised all the men I could without drafting, and marched to Limestone, where we met about 100 men, the exact number not recollected. We crossed the Ohio the same evening and encamped. The next morning we paraded by a brave field-officer, whose name I shall spare, and placed in two ranks or lines of Indian file, with orders to march about 20 yds apart, with Capt John Kenton at the head of one file and myself at the head of the other. He himself rode in front on his fine charger, with Dr. Johnston for surgeon in case of need, with my brother Laban in advance as pilot, whom he had selected, knowing him to be a first rate woodsman. At that time it would seem he had no need of a pilot, as we were to march up the Ohio; however, he found use for a pilot. We marched on in good order for some time; at length we fell on fresh signs of a number of Indians; our commander immediately became alarmed, and said to the pilot, "Let us quit the river and take to the hills." He accordingly steered a NE course, into the hills and knobs, and at length fell on a creek, where more recent traces of Indians were seen. He was again most powerfully alarmed, and said to his pilot, "For God's sake, Recors, make to the river." He then steered a south course, to a small creek, and decended it to the Scioto River. At the mouth of the Scioto River, we found the two boats that had been abandoned by Marshall and his company. All the property was taken away, with the exception of two new stills, which the Indians had no use dor. A great many cakes of chocolate, and papers of pins, lay scattered about on the beach, but spoiled by the rain that had fallen on them. We went on board of the two boats and arrived safely at Limestone, having been commanded by such a brave, courageous and warlike officer. Of the number of days we were out I have no certain recollection. Hard is the heart that cannot feel For cowards when distressed; Who will not drop one tear of grief And pray they may find rest. cont. ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.