CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS - 371 CHAPTER XIII. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) TWO HISTORICAL COLUMBUS PIONEERS. The Iliad and Odessey of Homer, detailing the adventures, perils and achievements of Agamemnon and Menelaus in their war against Priam! or those of Odysseus, preceding his return to Ithica from the Trojan expedition, were founded, it is reasonable to suppose, upon adventures no more real and startling than those of John Brickell and Jeremiah Armstrong, two of the pioneer founders of Ohio and Ohio's capital. The Greek poet put the mythical traditions of the dangers and the deeds of his heroes, coming down from preceding ages, into his immortal poems, clothing them in the raiment of brilliant imagery, and supplying from his fertile and versatile imagination, all the breaks and gaps in the mythical web of tradition. Thus the actors were all painted in heroics, and their deeds were made to appear as the achievements of demi-gods, rather than men. And yet it is doubtful whether on the plains of Troy, and in the streets of the city itself; or the weird or sinister isle of Colypso and its demoniac, impalpable (at times) inhabitants there was presented anything more humanly realistic than the dangers and trials which beset Brickell and Armstrong who, by reason of circumstance, were heroes almost from the cradle, and grew into splendid 372 - CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS Anglo-Saxon manhood despite their long barbarian captivity in what was practically a pathless wilderness far beyond the outposts of a then infant civilization. Theme for Some Future Homer. What may not some future western Homer weave from their narrations ? These narrations, written with their own hands, in simple, and yet the purest literary style of the last century by men who were deeply read in nature, but unlettered as to books until they approached manhood. The recital of their captivity reads like a. story out of the middle ages, and yet there are men living who met them face to face and whose descendants of the third and later generations may be met almost any day on the Streets. These men so far from being mythical heroes, were living flesh and blood, and by virtue of their captivity itself became pioneers of Franklin county and Columbus, when they were unbroken woodlands, and grew into citizenship and became joint founders with those who came as willing migrants into the upper valley of the Scioto. Helped to Found a City. They were not only among the founders of the county and city but accumulated property and left behind them descendants who in turn achieved the most splendid results and gathered around themselves the fruits of good citizenship. Their deeply interesting stories follow, as given in their own simple but comprehensive style of narration. The Story of John Brickell. Mr. Brickell was one of the three or four first white men that ever took up their permanent residence in what is naw Franklin county. He came here in 1797, and he ever after made it his place of residence; living most of the time on a ten-acre lot of land just in front of the penitentiary, which he purchased of Lyne Starling, before the town of Columbus was laid out. His narrative from which the following extracts are taken. was written and published in 1842, in the American Pioneer, a monthly periodical. But as it is wholly out of print, it seems highly proper to give it a place in this work. Mr. Brickell was an intelligent man, a hatter by trade. and for many years a member of the Methodist church. He says: "I was born on the 24th of May, 1781, in Pennsylvania, near a. place then known as Stewart's Crossings, on the Youghiogheny River, and, as I suppose from what I learned in after life, about four miles from Beesontown, now Uniontown, in Fayette County. On my father's side, I was of Irish, and on my mother's of German parentage. My father died when I was quite young, and I went to live with an elder brother, on a preemption settlement, on the northeast side of the Allegheny River, about two miles from Pittsburg. On the breaking out of the Indian war, a body of Indians collected to the amount of about one hundred and fifty warriors, CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS - 373 and spread up and down the Allegheny River about forty miles, and by a preconcerted movement, made an attack on all the settlements along the river, for that distance, in one day. Kidnapped by Savages. "This was on the 9th of February, 1791. I was alone clearing out a fence row, about a quarter of a mile from the house, when an Indian came to me, and took my axe from me and laid it upon his shoulder with his rifle, and then let down the cock of his gun, which it appears, he had cocked in approaching me. I had been on terms of intimacy with the Indians, and did not feel alarmed at this movement. They had been about our house almost every day. He took me by the hand and pointed the direction he wanted me to go; and although I did not know him, I concluded he only wanted me to chop something for him, and went without reluctance. We came to where he had lain all night, between two logs, without fire. I then suspected something was wrong, and attempted to run; but he threw me down on my face, in which position I every moment expected to feel the stroke of the tornahawk on my head. But he had prepared a rope, with which he tied my hands together behind me, and thus marched me off. After going a little distance we fell in with George Girty, son of old George Girt y. He spoke English, and told me what they had done. He said: White people have killed Indians, and that the Indians had retaliated, and now there is war, and you are a prisoner; and we will take you to our town and make an Indian of you, and you will not be killed if you go peaceably : but if you try to run away, we wont be troubled with you, but we will kill you, and take your scalp to our town.' I told him I would go peaceably. and give them no trouble. From thence we traveled to the crossings of Big Beaver with scarce any food. We made a raft, and crossed late in the evening, and lay in a hole in a rock without fire or food. They would not make fire for fear we had attracted the attention of hunters in chopping for a raft. In the morning, the Indian who took me, delivered me to Girty, and tool. another direction. Girty and I continued our course towards the Tuscarawas. We traveled all that day through hunger and cold. camped all night. and continued until about three in the afternoon of the third day since I had tasted a mouthful. I felt very indignant at Girty, and thought if ever I got a good chance I would kill him. A Talk With, Simon Girty. "We then made a fire, and Girty told me that if he thought I would not run away he would leave me by the fire, and go and kill something to eat. I told him I would not. `But,' said he, `to make you safe I will tie you.' He tied my hands behind my back, and tied me to a sapling, some distance from the fire. After he was gone. I untied myself and laid down by the fire. In about an hour, he came running back without any game. He asked me what I untied myself for? I told biro I was cold. He said: `Then you 374 - CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS. no run away? I said `no.' He then told me there were Indians close by, and he was afraid they would find me. We then went to their camp, where there were Indians with whom I had been as intimate as with any person, and they had been frequently at our house. They were glad to see me, and gave me food, the first I had eaten after crossing Beaver. They treated me very kindly. We staid all night with them, and next morning we all took up our march toward the Tuscarawas, which we reached on the second days, in the evening. Met the Hunters and Warriors. "Here we met the main body of hunting families, and the warriors of the Allegheny, this being their place of rendezvous. I supposed these Indians all to be Delawares; but at that time I could not distinguish between the different tribes. Here I met with two white prisoners, Thomas Dick, and his wife, Jane. They had been our nearest neighbors. I was immediately led to the lower end of the encampment, and allowed to talk freely with them for about an hour. They informed me of the death of two of our neighbors, Samuel Chapman and William Powers, who were killed by the Indians-one in their house, and the other near it. The Indians showed me their scalps. I knew that of Chapman, having red hair on it. "Next day about ten Indians started back to Pittsburgh. Girty told me they went to pass themselves as friendly Indians and to trade. Among these was the Indian who took me. In about two weeks they returned well loaded with store goods, whisky, etc. Tries to Escape. "After the traders came back, the company divided: and those who came with us to Tuscarawas, and the Indian who took me. marched on towards Sandusky. When we arrived within a day's journey of the Indian town, where Fort Seneca since stood, we met two warriors going to the frontier war. The Indian I was with had whisky. He and the two warriors got drunk, when one of the warriors fell on me and beat me. I thought he would kill me. The night was very dark, and I ran out into the woods, and lay under the side of a log. They presently missed me, and got lights to search for me. The Indian to whom I belonged called aloud: "White man, white man.' I made no answer; but in the morning, after I saw the warriors start on their journey, I went into camp, where I was much pitied on account of my bruises. Next day we arrived within a mile of the Seneca. town, and encamped for the night, agreeably to their manner, to give room for their parade, or grand entrance the next day. That took place about eight o'clock in the morning. The ceremony commenced with a great whoop or yell. We were then met by all sorts of Indians from the town, old and young, men and women. We then called a halt, and they formed two lines about twelve feet apart in the direction of the river. PAGE 375 - OHIO INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND, COLUMBUS PAGE 376- BLANK CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS - 377 Runs the Gauntlet. They made signs for me to run between the lines toward the river. I knew nothing of what they wanted, and started; but I had no chance for they fell to beating me until I was bruised from head to foot. At this juncture a very big Indian came up and threw the company off me, and took me by the arm, and led me along through the line with such rapidity that I scarcely touched the ground, and was not once struck after he took me till I got to the river. Then the very ones who beat me the worst were now the most kind and officious in washing me off, feeding me, etc., and did their utmost to cure me. I was nearly killed, and did not get over it for two months. My impression is, that the big Indian, who rescued me, was Captain Pipe, who assisted in burning Crawford. The Indian who owned me did not interfere in any way. His Owner Takes a Wife. "We staid about two weeks in the Seneca towns. My owner there took himself a wife, and then started with me and his wife through the Black Swamp toward the Maumee towns. At Seneca I left the Indians I had been acquainted with, near Pittsburgh, and never saw or heard of them afterwards. When we arrived at the Auglaize River, we met an Indian my owner called brother, to whom he gave me; and I was adopted into his family. His name way Whingwy Pooshies, or Big Cat. I lived in his family from about the first week in May, 1791, till my release in June, 1795. "The squaws do nearly all the labor except hunting. They take care of the meat when brought in, and stretch the skins. They plant and tend the corn they gather and house it, assisted by young boys, not yet able to hunt. After the boys are at the hunting age, they are no more considered as Squaws, and are kept at hunting. The men are faithful at hunting, but when at home lie lazily about, and are of little account for anything else, seldom or never assisting in domestic duties. Besides the common modes, they often practice candle hunting; and for this they sometimes make candles or tapers, when they cannot buy them. Deer came to the rivers to eat a kind of water grass, to get which they frequently immerse their whole head and horns. They seem to be blinded by light at night, and will suffer a canoe to float to them. I have practiced that kind of hunting much since I came to live where Columbus now is, and on one occasion killed twelve fine deer in one night. Approach of the Pale Face Army. "The fall after my adoption, there was a great stir in the town about an army of white men coming to fight the Indians. The squaws and boys were moved with the goods down the Maumee, and there waited the result of the battle, while the men went to war. They met St. Clair. and came off 378 - CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS victorious, loaded with the spoils of the army. Whingwy Pooshies left the spoils at the town and came down to move us up. We then found ourselves a rich people. Whingwy Pooshies' share of the spoils of the army was two fine horses, four tents, one of which was a noble marquee, which made us a fine house in which we lived the remainder of my captivity. He had also clothing in abundance, and of all descriptions. I wore a soldier's coat. He had also axes, guns, and every thing necessary to make an Indian rich. There was much joy among them. They Took No Prisoners. "I saw no prisoners that were taken in that battle, and believe there were none taken by the Delawares. Soon after this battle another Indian and I went hunting, and we came to a place where there lay a human skeleton stripped of the flesh, which the Indian said had been eaten by the Chippewa Indians who were in the battle; and he called them brutes thus to use their prisoners. During the time of my captivity I conversed with seven or eight prisoners, taken from different parts, none of which were taken from that battle, agreeably to my best impressions. One of the prisoners I conversed with, was Isaac Patton, by name, who was taken with Isaac Choat, Stacy and others from a blockhouse at the Big Bottom, on the Muskingum. I lived two years in the same house with Patton. I think I saw Spencer once. I saw a large lad, who, if I recollect right, said his name was Spencer. He was with McKee and Elliot as a waiter, or kind of servant: and, if I remember right, he was at the rapids. Sold Because He Was Worthless. "On one of our annual visits to the rapid. to receive our presents from the British, I saw Jane Dick. Her husband had been sold. I understood, for forty dollars, and lived at Montreal. He was sold because he was rather worthless and disagreeable to the Indians. When I saw her she lived at large with the Indians. She became suddenly missing, and a great search was made for her; but the Indians could not find her. After my release from captivity, I saw her and her husband at Chillicothe, where they lived. Mrs. Dick's Escape. "She told me how she was liberated. Her husband had concerted plan with the Captain of the vessel who brought the presents, to steal her from the Indians. The Captain concerted a. plan with a black man, who cooked for McKee and Elliot, to steal Mrs. Dick. The black man arranged it with Mrs. Dick to meet him at midnight, in a copse of underwood, which she did, and he took her on board in a small canoe and headed her up in an empty hogshead, where she remained until the day after the vessel sailed. about thirty-six hours. I remember well that every camp, and the woods were searched for her. and that the vessel was searched, for the Indians CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS - 379 immediately suspected that she was on board. But not thinking of unheading a hogshead, they could not find her. I saw the black man at Fort Hamilton as I returned from captivity, who told me how he stole Mrs. Dick off, which was in every particular confirmed by Mrs. Dick's own statement afterward. He also told me that there was a plan concerted between him and the Captain, to steal me off at the same time. `But,' said he `they watched you so close I could not venture it.' This I knew nothing of until I was told by the black man, except that I observed the vigilance with which they watched me. A Candle-Light Hunting Expedition. "In the month of June, 1794, three Indians, two men and a boy, and myself, started on a candle-light hunting expedition on Blanchard's Fork of the Auglaize. We had been out about two months. We returned to the towns in August, and found them entirely evacuated, but gave ourselves little uneasiness about it, as we supposed the Indians had gone to the foot of the Maumee rapids to receive their presents, as they were annually in the habit of doing. We encamped on the lower island in the middle of a cornfield. Next morning an Indian runner came down the river and gave the alarm whoop, which is a kind of yell they use for no other purpose. The Indians answered and one went over to the runner, and immediately returning told us the white men were upon us, and we must run for our lives. We scattered like a flock of partridges, leaving our breakfast cooking on the fire. The Kentucky Riflemen saw our smoke and came to it, and just missed me as I passed them in my flight through the corn. They took the whole of our two months' work, breakfast. jerked skins and all. One of the Kentuckians told me afterwards that they got a fine chance of meat that was left. "Wayne was then only about four miles from us, and the vanguard Was right among us. The boy that was with us in the hunting expedition, and I, kept, together on the trail of the Indians till we overtook them, but the two Indians did not get with us until we got to the rapids. General Wayne's Daring Spies. "Two or three days after we arrived at the rapids, Wayne's spies came right into the camp among us. I afterwards saw the survivors. Their names were Miller. McClelland, May. Wells, Mahaffy, and one other whose name I forgot. They came into the camp bodly and fired on the Indians. , Miller got wounded in the shoulder. May was chased by the Indians to the smooth rock in the bed of the river, where his horse. fell. He was taken prisoner and the rest escaped. They then took May to camp. They knew him ; he had formerly been a prisoner among them, and ran away from them. They told him: `We know you; you speak Indian language you not. content to live with us. To-morrow we take you to that tree; (pointing to a very large burr-oak at the edge of the clearing, which was near the. British Fort). we will tie you up and make a mark on your breast and we will 380 - CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS try what Indian can shoot nearest it.' It so turned out. The next day, the very day before the battle, they tied him up, made a mark on his breast and riddled his body with bullets, shooting at least fifty into hint. Thus ended poor May. The Indian Gunsmith Killed. "On the next day, being myself about six miles below with the squaws. I went out hunting. The day being windy, I heard nothing of the firing of the battle, but saw some Indians on the retreat. One Indian. whom I knew, told me I had better go to camp, for the Indians were beaten, and they are preparing at camp to make their escape. The runners, towards dusk, came in, and said the army had halted and encamped. We then rested that night, but in great fear. Next morning, the runners told its the army had .started up the river towards the mouth of the Auglaize. We were then satisfied. Many of the Delawares were killed and wounded. The Indian who tool: May was killed, and he was much ]hissed; for he was the only gunsmith among the Delawares. Our crops and every means of support being cut off, we had to winter at the mouth of Swan Creek, perhaps where Toledo now stands. We were entirely dependent ors the British. mid they did not half supply its. Poverty Stricken Savages. "The starving condition of the Indians. together with the prospect of losing all their cows and dogs, made the Indians very impatient, and they became exasperated at the British. They said they had been deceived by them, for they had not fulfilled one promise. It was concluded among them to send a flag to Fort Defiance in order to make a treaty with the Americans. This was successful. Our men found the Americans ready to male a treaty, and they agreed on an exchange of prisoners. I had the pleasure to see nine white prisoners exchanged for nine Indians. and the mortification of finding myself left: there being no Indian to give for me. Patton, Johnston, Sloan and Airs. Baker, of Kentucky, were four of the ]line: the names of the others I do not recollect. Patton, -Johnston and Mrs. Baker had all lived with me in the same house among the Indians. mid we were as intimate as brothers and sisters. Saluting Fort Defiance. "On the breaking up of spring we all went up to Fort Defiance, and on arriving on the shore opposite, we saluted the fort with a round of rifles, and they shot a cannon thirteen times. We then encamped on the spot. On the same day, Whingwy Pooshies told me I must go over to the fort. The children hung round me crying, and asked me if I was going to leave them" I told them I did not know. When we got over to the fort and seated with the officer, Whingwy Pooshies told me to stand up, which I did: he then rose and addressed me in about these words: 'My son, these PAGE 381 - FOYER MEMORIAL HALL PAGE 382 - BLANK CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS - 383 are men the same color as yourself; there may be some of your kin here, or your kin may be a great way off from you; you have lived a long time with us; I call on you to say if I have not been a father to you? If I have not used you as a father would a son?' I said: `You have used me as well as a father could use a son.' He said: `I am glad you say so. You have lived long with me; you have hunted for me; but our treaty says you must be free. If you choose to go with the people of your color, I have no right to say a word; but, if you choose to stay with me, your people have no right to speak. Now, reflect on it, and take your choice; and tell us as soon as you make up your mind. A Sad Parting. "I was silent for a few moments, in which time it seemed as if I thought of almost every thing. I thought of the children I had just left crying; I thought of the Indians I was attached to; I thought of my people, whom I remembered; and this latter thought predominated, and I said: `I will go with my kin.' The old man then said: `I have raised you; I have learned you to hunt; you are a good hunter; you have been better to me than my own sons; I am now getting old and cannot hunt; I thought you would be a support to my age; I leaned on you as on a staff. Now it is broken-you are going to leave me, and I have no right to say a word-but I am ruined.' He then sank back in tears in his seat. I heartily joined him in his tears-parted with him, and have never seen or heard of him since. Was a Delaware Linguist. "I learned the Delaware language well, and can speak it now about as well as English. I will give the Delaware names of a few streams: Sepung, is properly what we call a stream, there being no distinction between runs, creeks and rivers, as with us. The called the Ohio Whingwy Sepung, or Big Stream. Paint Creek, in Ross County, I never heard called Yoctongee; but we called it Olomon Sepung, or Paint Creek. Seckle Sepung, or Saltlick Creek, what is now called Alum Creek. Whingwy Mahoni Sepung, or Big Lick Creek, is what we call Big Walnut Creek. The Scioto was so called, but it is not a Delaware name, and I do not know its meaning. Visits Historic Greenville. "'It was about the 1st of June, 1795, that I parted with Whingwy Pooshies. The next day I started for Fort Greenville. I rode on a horse furnished by the Americans. I was under the charge and protection of Lieutenant Blue, who treated me with every kindness; and at Fort Greenville had a good suit of clothes made for me by a tailor. We had been there about a week, when a company of men arrived from Cincinnati, among whom was a brother of my brother's wife, with whom I had lived, and from whom I was taken. He told me of a sister I had who was married, and 384 - CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS lived about nine miles from Cincinnati, up Licking, on the Kentucky side. I then left Mr. Blue at Fort Greenville, and went up to my sister's. She and all the neighbors seemed to be overjoyed, and a great crowd collected to see me, and hear about my living among the Indians. I then went to Grant's Salt Works, up Licking, to hunt for them. I made money there by killing deer at one dollar a piece, and turkeys at twelve and a. half cents. I bought me a house, and had money left to take me to Pennsylvania. I went with a man named Andrew Lewis. There was great joy again, at my brother's at my return to his house, from whence I was taken. My sister-in-law in particular seemed much gratified with my- return, as did the great crowd which here again collected to see me. and hear the narrative of my captivity. Locates in Columbus. "In 1797, I came to this place, that. is, now Columbus, Ohio, and have resided here ever since; generally enjoying good health, it never having cost me a dollar in my life for medical aid; and without even wearing any thing like a stocking inside my moccasin, shoes or boots, from the time I went among the Indians to this day; and, I can cay what perhaps few can at this day, that my feet are never cold. "At another time, the Lord granting the opportunity, I will give more of the incidents of my life, as connected with the settlement and improvement of the country. "JOHN BRICKELL. "Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1842." Mr. Brickell died the 20th of July, 1844, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. The Captivity of Jeremiah Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong, when but a youth, became one of the first residents of Franklin county. He grew up to manhood in Franklinton, and continued to reside there until after the town of Columbus was laid out. He then became one of the first settlers of the new town, of which he has continued a resident nearly all the time since. In the spring of 1813 he purchased from the proprietors his lot on High street which he owned in 1858 and on which he for many years kept a respectable hotel. His first sign was that of Christopher Columbus at full size, then the Red Lion. In 1850 he retired from business with a competency, and spent the evening of life in peace and quietness. The following is a brief narrative of his captivity with the Indians. He says: "I was born in Washington County. Maryland, 'larch. 1 785. I had a sister, (Elizabeth) and three brothers. William, Robert and John, older than myself. We moved to the Mingo Bottom and from there to Virginia, opposite the upper end of Blannerhasset's Island. The Indians made frequent excursions into our neighborhood, and my mother was in constant dread of being killed by them; she seemed to have a presentiment that she would CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS - 385 have the fate of her parents, who were both killed by them in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. Some time in April, 1794 (I perfectly remember all the circumstances of the eventful night), my brothers William and Robert had gone to a floating mill which my father owned on the Ohio, near the house; the younger children were in bed. Father went down to the river to examine a trot line; my mother stood in the door, holding a candle for him. I shall never forget her appearance. It was the last time I ever beheld her; she stood trembling like a. leaf, so that, the candle shook in her hand. I suppose that she was afraid of the Indians, for I then thought there was nothing else to fear. Father returned safe; barred both of the doors, as was his custom. and then retired. Elizabeth, John and I slept in the loft of our log house. The Wyandot Foray. "About three o'clock we were awakened by the bark of our dog. Father sprang up, and without waiting to put on any clothing, unbarred one of the doors, and ran out and hissed the dog; but in a moment he saw several Indians start from behind the trees, and halloed `Indians,' and ran into the house, barred the door, and caught up a gun. By this time the house was surrounded by twenty Wyandots. The poor, faithful dog had kept. them off till be was disabled; they had cut him so badly in the mouth that his under jaw hung loose. As the savages approached the house, father fired the gun; then caught a bullet pouch, and sprang to the loft, put his bullet and powder into his hand, but in attempting to put it into the gun found (too late) that he had taken the wrong pouch, and the bullet was too large; so he threw down the gun, tore open the roof, and sprang to the ground, fully expecting to be tomahawked the instant he reached it; but fortunately he was not discovered, for the most of the Indians were already in the house. They commenced their bloody work by killing the three little one=. Mother attempted to escape through the chimney, but it is supposed that her clothes caught. for she fell, and (as the Indians afterward told me) in attempting to raise her they found she could not stand: her hip was broken. Had she been able to travel, they would not have killed her: but as she could not, they must have her scalp as a trophy. They also scalped the two oldest of the children, but from my mother took two. Preparing Trophies. "They dry these scalps on little hoops, about the size of a dollar, paint them, and fix them on poles, to raise as trophies of victory when entering their villages. When seeing these o raised, I inquired why they tool: two from mother? They said because the babe's hair was not long enough to scalp, they took one from its mother for it. After killing my sisters and brother below, they came up to us, and took us down. Oh ! who can describe our feeling: on entering that room of blood! I was led over the slippery, bloody floor, and placed between the knees of one of the savages, whose hands were still reeking with the blood of my dearest relatives. 386 - CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS Compelled to Stand Mute. "Mr. Misner, who lived about a hundred yards above us, hearing the noise, took a canoe and started for Belpre, to raise an alarm. When half way across the river, I suppose, he saw the Indians and my sister; she was stand ing in the door, and the house was lighted. Mr. Misner called, `What is the matter?' One of the Indians told her to say nothing, which she did, being afraid to disobey. After plundering the house, they, with their three prisoners, started south-west; they went rapidly for a mile or two, then halted, formed a ring around us, and lighted their pipes, and made several speeches, apparently in great haste. We watched their gestures, and hastened anxiously. I was afterward told that I was the subject of their debate. They expected to be pursued by the people of Belpre, and thought me too young to travel as fast as necessary for their safety; so they proposed killing me; but a young Indian who had led me, and observed my activity in jumping the logs, said he thought I would make a. pretty good Indian, and they might go as fast as they pleased, and if I could not keep up, he would carry me. So my life was spared, and we continued our journey at a rapid rate; he sometimes carrying me, and I sometimes begging my sister to carry me. She, poor girl, could scarcely carry herself. I was quite small of my age. The Whoop of Safety. "When we arrived opposite the mouth of Little Hocking, they found their canoes, which they had secreted in the bushes, got into them, and hastened across the river. When they had gained the opposite bank, they gave a never-to-be-forgotten whoop, for they felt themselves safe. The next day they dined on a bear, which they had killed the day before. The oil of the bear was hung up in a deer skin; they gave us some of it to drink; we would not drink it. So they gave us of the bread and sugar which they had taken from my father's house-bread which our mother had so lately made. And where was she? Oh! my heart ached at the thought. They treated us kindly, and while our bread and sugar lasted, we fared very well. A Father's Despair. "But to return to my father. When he jumped to the ground from the roof, he ran to the river, took a canoe and crossed over to the island, went to Mr. James', then to the mill for my brothers, wakened them, and with them returned to the house. What a horrible scene presented itself! There lay my mother and the babe on the ground. In the house the other two children were lying in their gore. The boy was still alive, and he asked my father why he pulled his hair. "I saw Mr. John James (a resident of Jackson County) in Columbus some years ago. He said that he was one of the twenty that followed the Indians down the river, saw their canoes, and where they landed, and also discovered by the tracks that we were still alive. They were afraid, if pursued CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS - 387 farther, the Indians would kill us to expedite their flight. They were not far behind-the water was still muddy-so they returned. The Captive Reaches Lancaster. "After eating our dinner, we started again, and our next halt was near where Lancaster now stands. There we saw young Cox, a man they had taken from our neighborhood a few days previous. We spent the night there. In the morning two of the most savage of our party took John and myself and started for Upper Sandusky. I missed not only my sister, but the young Indian that carried me. I had already begun to consider him my friend, although I did not then know that he had saved my life. "Our two conductors seemed to delight in tormenting us. They made us wade streams where the water came up to my chin. Brother John being two years older than myself, and taller, would lead me. They would laugh at our fears. We had nothing but roots and herbs to eat. When we neared their village in Upper Sandusky, they stripped us of our clothes, and tied a small part around our bodies in Indian style. When I cried at the loss of my clothes, one of them whipped me severely with his pipe stem. The Indian squaws and children came running from all directions to see, and we were no sooner in the house than the door was completely blocked up with them, which frightened me very much. Finds a Friend Among Savages-The Scalp Pole. " A few days after our arrival, the party we had left behind came up, and I, when I saw them coming, ran to meet my friend, and was as glad to see him as if he had been my brother. My fondness for him no doubt increased his for me. "The next morning we started for Lower Sandusky. In passing through the Seneca nation, the pole of scalps was hoisted. A little Seneca Indian ran to us, tool: the pole from the bearer, and carried it to an old squaw, who was sitting in the door of her hut. She examined it, handed it back to the boy, and he returned it to the Indian, then knocked both John and myself down. It was a privilege they had, as they belonged to another nation. After leaving the Senecas, we came to some of our own nation, that is Wyandots. Saying Indian Grace. "There they formed a ring before we ate, and a prisoner who spoke both languages gave me a gourd with shot in it, telling me that I must say grace. So he put some Indian words in my mouth, and bid me go around the ring, knocking the gourd with my hand, and repeating the words, which I did as well as I could. But my awkwardness made them laugh; so I got angry and threw down the gourd. I thought to myself, it was very different from the way my father said grace. "On arriving at Lower Sandusky, before entering the town, they halted and formed a procession for Cox, my sister, my brother and myself to run 388 - CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS the gauntlet. They pointed to the house of their chief, Old Crane, about a hundred yards distant, signifying that we should run into it. We did so, and were received very kindly by the old chief; he was a very mild man. beloved by all. Adopted by the Chief." I was then adopted into his family, the Deer tribe, my brother John into another, the Turtle tribe, and my sister into another; so we were separated. I was painted all over, and a broad belt of wampum put around my body. I was quite an important personage; and if my dear sister and brother had remained with me, I should have been happy; yes, happy, for I thought, now the Indians were my friends, I had nothing on earth to fear. But my brother and sister were gone, and I was alone. I cried very much. An old prisoner tried to comfort me. He said I must not eat with the paint on me; if I did, it would kill me. It. was the paint of my adoption, and 1 suppose that while it was on me, I was Considered neither white nor red, and, according to their superstition, if I remained in that state, I should die. The prisoner took me to the river and washed it off, then led me back to the house. Parted from Each. Other. "John was taken to Brownstown, and Elizabeth to Maumee. I did not see either of them again for about four years, when my brother and myself regained our liberty. My sister remained with them but a. few months. She was stolen from them by a gentleman in search of his sister, and taken to Detroit. As she had no means of returning to her friends, she went with a family by the name of Dolson to Canada, and married one of the sons. When I saw her next she had a family of her own. Encamped at Columbus. "After our adoption, the family to which I belonged came back to Columbus and camped near where the penitentiary now stands. Then we raised corn in what is now called Sullivant:s Prairie. My home while with them was back and forth from there to Lower Sandusky. The first night I spent in Franklin, the Indians all got drunk. The squaws put me on a scaffold to keep them from killing me. The squaws had sense enough to not taste the rum till the Indians were too drunk to harm them ; then they, too. got drunk. And, oh! what a time for me for a few days, while the rum lasted; but when it was gone, they were very kind to me. Forgot the English Language. "After parting from my brother and sister, I heard so little of my own language that I forgot it entirely, and became attached to them and their ways. In fact, I became a very good Indian. They called me Hoos-coatah jah (Little Head). A short time afterward they changed my name to Duhguah. They often change their names. PAGE 389 - COLUMBUS COUNTRY CLUB PAGE 390 - BLANK CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS - 391 "In the month of August, 1794, when I had been a prisoner about four months, George Wayne conquered the Indians in that decisive battle on the Maumee. Before the battle, the squaws and children were sent to Lower Sandusky. Runners were sent. from the scene of action to inform us of their defeat, and to order us to Sandusky Bay. They supposed that Wayne would come with his forces and massacre the whole of us. Great was the consternation and confusion; and I (strange infatuation), thinking their enemies mine, ran and got into a canoe, fearing they would go and leave me at the mercy of the pale faces. We all arrived safe at the Bay; and then the Indians conveyed their wounded-Old Crane among the number. He was wounded in the arm; and my friend, the one that saved my life, was killed. "Wayne, instead of molesting us, withdrew his forces to Greenville; and we returned to Franklin (that now is) and encamped below the dam, where there is a deep hole, called Billy's Hole, from Billy Wyandot. Sees a War Dance. "The only war dance I witnessed was near where the penitentiary now stands, where a party of them were preparing to leave for Kentucky in quest of prisoners and scalps. They returned with three prisoners and five scalps. Billy Wyandot and others were then preparing to leave for Greenville to form a treaty (August, '95). By that treaty a great part of the whites and the Indians were to give up all the prisoners in their possession, which was done where found and recognized. "My brother and myself were still held in bondage, our friends supposing us to be dead. When the lands acquired by the treaty were being surveyed by Generals Massie and McArthur, Mr. Thomas, a former neighbor of my father's, being with them, saw me and knew me. He sent word to my brother William, who was then residing in Kentucky. As soon as he heard that I was alive, he left Kentucky in search of me with only six dollars in his pocket. He expected to find me in Franklin. Not finding me there, he went on to Upper Sandusky. The Indians were on a hunting tour and I was with them. The corn was then in the silk; he was told that we would not be back until roasting ear time. So he went back as far as Chillicothe, where he remained until the time appointed. Then he started again and came to Lower Sandusky, where he found me quite happy, and so much of an Indian that I would much rather have seen him tomahawked than to go with him. Old Crane would not consent to give me up. He said according to the treaty they were not obliged to release any that were willing to stay. They agreed to go to Brownstown and examine the treaty. Finally Rescued and Restored to Friends. "Brother William, knowing the uncertainty of the Indians, went to Detroit for assistance. He applied to Gen. Hamtramack, who gave him an officer and twelve men. With this force he came to Brownstown, sixteen miles. We were all there, and I had found my brother John, who was as unwilling to. 392 - CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS leave as myself. We were strutting back and forth on the porch. I had a large bunch of feathers tied in my hair at the crown of my head and rings in my ears and nose. I was feeling very large and defiant. When I saw William coming, I said to John. "There comes our white brother." He came towards us and put out his hand to shake hands, but we drew ourselves up scornfully, and would not allow him to touch us. Oh, how little we knew or thought of the toil and suffering he had endured for our sake. Loth to Return. to Civilization. "We were both determined not to go with him; so they tools us by force. William took one of us by the hand and the officer the other; they drugged us along to the boat. I well remember our setting one foot back to brace ourselves, and pulling with our might to get from them. But they succeeded in getting us into the boat and pushing off, leaving the old squaw who had the care of me standing on the bank crying. There she stood, and I could hear her cries until lost in the distance. I cried, too, till quite exhausted, and I fell asleep. "John, being with a. tribe that traded with the whites, did not forget his native tongue. Some days after we started, William related the story of our capture, the murder of our mother, sisters and brother. John repeated it to me. Oh, what a sudden change it wrought in me. It brought back the whole scene so forcibly to my recollection that I clung to my brother with affection and gratitude, and never more had a wish to return to the red men. "At Detroit we left our boat, and were kept in garrison four or five days, waiting for a vessel to take us to Erie, Pennsylvania. We went from Erie to Pittsburg, from there to our old home at Mr. Gillespie's, one of our old neighbors. We then changed our savage clothes, and after remaining several days we left for Chillicothe, thence to Franklin, my present home. "JEREMIAH ARMSTRONG. "Columbus, April, 1858." (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)