The History of Kentucky from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. Indian inroads--Silas Hart pursues the Indians--Is killed--Heroism of young Hart--Captivity of the family--Judge Rowan sails down the Ohio--Is pursued by Indians--His perilous position--Wonderful presence of mind of Mrs. Rowan --Adventure of Caffree, McClure, and Davis--Meet with an equal number of Indians--Terrible combat--Caffree and Davis killed--Subsequent adventures of McClure--His escape--Colonel Marshall descends the Ohio--Is hailed by James Girty--Indian decoys--Captain Ward assaulted by Indians--Death of his nephew--Panic of the others--The search for a stray horse by Downing and Yates--They are followed by Indians--Downing conceals himself--Pursuit--Perilous situation of Downing--His remarkable escape. It has been already stated, that after, the expedition of Colonel Clark against the Miami towns, the Indians generally preserved pacific relations with the whites. Occasional inroads, however, took place during the period of political ferment into which Kentucky was plunged, by her almost interminable succession of conventions. The incidents connected with these inroads afford instances of presence of mind and heroism equal to any that occurred in the earlier history of the settlement. Late in the summer of 1782, one of these predatory bands of Indians, having committed excesses in Hardin county, Silas Hart, surnarued by the savages for his keen sagacity, "Sharp INDIAN MURDERS. eye," assembled a party of settlers and pursued the marauders. In the pursuit Hart shot their chief, while several others of the party were also killed, only two making good their escape. When the death of the chief was made known to his brother, he declared vengeance on Hart, and collecting a small band of warriors, he secretly made his way to the vicinity of ...