The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, February 27, 1877, Image 1

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    VOL. XI.
THE TIMES.
An Independent Family Newspaper,
IS PUBI.IBHRD KVEKT Tl'ESDAT BY
F. MOlimiKU & CO.
Subscription Price.
Within the County 1 2S
" ' " Hlx months, 7n
'Out of the County, Including postage. IN)
" " " six mouths " , 85
Invariably In Advance I
W Advertising rates f ununited upon appll
cation. 13ER DHUMMER.
CUA9. F. ADAMB.
Whe puts oup at der pest hotel,
Und (lakes his oysters on der schell.
Uiid mlt der fraulelus cuts a sell well?
Der drummer.
Who vas it gnmes Indo mine schtore,
Drows down Ms pundles on der vloor,
Und nefer schtops to shut der door?
Der drum mer.
Who dake me py der handt nn d say:
"Hans PfleHer, how you vas to-day T"
Und goes for pusiness riRlutt avayt
Der drummer.
Whoshpreads his raropleslu a trice,
Und dells me " look und see how nice I"
Und says I gets " der bottom pi icet"
Der drummer.
Who says der tings vas egnstia vine
" Vrom Bharmany, ubon der Rhine"
Und sheats me den dimes out of nine?
, " Der drummer.
Who dells how aheap der goods vas bought,
Mooch less as vot I gould lmbort.
But lets dam go as lie vas " short?''
Der drummer.
Who var rants all der goods to sui t ; !
Der gustomers ubon his route,
Und Ten dey gomes dey van no goot?
Der drummer. ' "
Who gomes aroundt ven I been oudt,
1rinksoup mine bier, and eats mine kraut,
. Und kiss Katrlna In der mout'T
' ' Der d i runnier, . ,' . "
fyiilrl'Sl
NEW BLOOMFILD,
Who, ven he gomes again disvay,
VIII hear vot I'flefTor has to say,
Und mlt a plack eye goes avay?
Der drummer.
THE SCOUT'S ADVENTURE.
THE SCENE of the exciting Incidents
we are about to relate was located
in tlie now populous anil peaceful State
of Olilo. At the time, however ,whcn
these events transpired, the M'hlte
settlements were widely scattered, and
over the greater portion of that, fertile
region, savage beasts and not less feroci
ous men held almost undisputed domin
ion. But the fertility of the soil, salu
brity of the climate, the number and
utility of its navigable streams, offered
many advantages to settlers, and the
hardy pioneers of less favored localities,
were not slow in availing themselves of
them.
But in addition to the hardships and
privations Inseparable from the most fa
vored condition of pioneer life, the early
settlers on the rich Ohio bottoms were
exposed to the hostility of the savages.
The isolated cabins were assaulted and
burned, and the luckless inmates butch
ered or carried into a woeful captivity.
Hundreds thus perished, but the stream
of immigration rolled ou, with steadily
increasing volume, and the wider the
settlements spread, the more veugeful
and desperate became the savages, who
finally determined upon a general war of
extermination.
In the valley of Hockhocklng, near
where the town of Lancaster now stands,
was an Indian villnge, which wnB select
ed as the base of operations against the
settlers. Here the painted warriors be
gan to assemble in August, 1703, and for
several weeks the work t)f recrultiug
went on, until the savago army was
swelled to such formidable proportions
as to menace the very existence of the
settlements. The whites were not slow
in realizing their danger. They saw
that a fearful blow was impending, but
were ignorant of the exact point whore
it was to full. They therefore determin
ed to send out some ! trusty scouts to
watch the enemy and learn, if possible,
where the savage thunderbolts were to
descend. ' ' ' ' '
Robert McClelland and Arthur White,
two experienced hunters, thoroughly
skilled in the subtleties of Indian war
fare, fearless, cautious and clearheaded,
volunteered to perform thnt hazardous
duty, and in the afternoon of a balmy
day in October they set out, amply arm
ed and fully provisioned, determined to
recsnnoltre the enemy's rendeous and
discover at what point the first blows
were to full. ' 1
They traveled' many miles 'of wood
and prairie,' and finally entered an ex
tensive thicket of wild plum and hazel
brush,1 through which they forced their
way with great caution and finally
reached the summit of an elevation now
known as Mount Pleasant. This hill
or mountian abruptly terminated on the
west in a bold, almost perpendicular
elifl", some hundred feet above the sur
rounding plain, and was epvered by a
short, stunted growth of hazel. The
scouts readied the top of the cliff unob
served, and from it they could look
down into the Indian encampment, and
observe ' every movement.' They saw
and counted each new group as they
arrived, were witnesses of the sports,
observed their running matches, horse
racing, and tomahawk throwing, but
all this gave them no clew to the infor
mation they so much desired.' ' '
I Three or four days were spent in this
manner, and in the meantime the sup
ply of water in their canteens became
exhaustedand theysupplied themselves
from the little pools of rain waterwhlch
collected in the depression of the rock
7
1J.A.., TXJES3DA.Y,
on which they were encamped. At length
wearying of the stagnant beveiage, one
of them determined to mnke the hazard
ous Journey down Into the valley in
quest of a fresh supply. Carefully creep
ing down the bushy sIope,wlthout shak
ing a trceor dislodging a stone, heentcr
ed the valley without discovery, wormed
his way through the tall grass, and
reached the river bank, filled his can
teens and returned in safety.
After this one of them came down al
most every day, and apparently with
perfect safety.
One day McClelland went on the
errand, sauntered along less watch
ful than usual, filled his canteens, nnd
turned to retrace his steps, when he sud
denly found himself face to face with a
couple of squaws. The surprise was
mutual, and the women gave a wild
whoop, and turned to fly. The scout
was quick to comprehend his peril. If
the alarm was to reach the Indian camp
his discovery and death seemed inevita
ble. Self preservation is the moving
impulse with every living creature, and
the scout decided that his first duty was
to himself and his companion, and that
it was expedient that he should Inflict a
speedy and noiseless death upon the wo
men, and so secretly as to leave no trace
behind.
Quick ns thought he sprang upon
them, seized each by the throat, and
dragged them to the river, his vice-like
grip stifling their outcries. The old
squaw wns quickly thrust under the
water and drowned, after which tho body
was allowed to float down the stjeam in
the hope that It would escape observa
tion. He then turned his attention to
the young one, who struggled violently,
and succeeded in shaking off his grasp
ou her throat, when to his great aston
ishment and horror, she exclaimed in
good English :
" For Heaven's sake do not kill me, I
am no Indian 1"
These words, so strange and so utterly
unexpected, nearly paralyzed the old
hunter, and releasing his hold on the
Woman, he demanded to know who and
what she was. She quickly told her
story, which was that she was a white
girl, who, with her brother, had been
captured in Virginia some five years be
fore, when nearly all her family had
been murdered. Since, then she had
been a slave to her captors, overworked,
starved, and beaten, and she entreated
McClelland to restore her to her own
people. ' ' ' ' . ' . ' 1
It was not in the nature of the old
scout to resist an appeal of such a char
acter, and giving the girl an assurance
of his protection, he started with her
for the place of concealment on the
mountain '
They had hardly made half the dis
tance, when the loud 'alarm cry f the
savages was sounded less than half a
mile away. Borne Indians, in crossing
the stream , had discovered the body of
the squaw. '1
The fugitives quickened their speed,
and soon Joined the other scout, who,
from his lofty perch, was watching the
unusual commotion among the savages,
but was ignorant of its cause. Parties
of warriors were seen to strike off In
every direction ; the terrible war-whoop
resounded on every Bide, and the dusky
foe was seen gathering around the moun
tain, until a swarthy chain of painted
warriors completely encomp assed the po
sition and closed every avenue of escape.
Certain destruction seemed inevitable,
hut the two men resolved to sell their
lives as dearly as possible. ' Not wishing
to involve the girl in their fate, they ad
vised her to return to tho Indians and
represent that she had been taken prison
er. ' This she refused to do, and begged
for a gun, declaring that she was well
trained to Its use, and could aid materi
ally in the defense.
But there wns no weapon, for her, and
she was urged to take shelter behind tho
rocks, and In case of their death or cap
ture,' claim! that she had been their pris
oner, i ' "
Fortunately the position oocupled by
the scouts could only be reached over a
high, rocky ridge, which was so narrow
' that It could be traversed only in single
file, and there was , no tree, ' bush, or
shrub to afford protection to a" hostile
party. ' This ridge was constantly cover
ed by the unerring rtfles of the beleaguer
ed men, and every Indian who attempt
ed to cross It, was shot dead, and LU
EE33IIXJA.RY 27,. 1877.
swarthy body rolled down the rocky
slope into the gulch below.
It did not take long to convince the
savages that this mode of attack was
Impracticable, and they attempted a
flank movement. Ou the left was a
large rock, thickly covered with stunted
shrubbery, from which the position oc
cupied by the whites coukl be complete
ly commanded.
But the point was difllcult' of access,
and could be reached only by leaping a
ravine in full view of the beleaguered
men, and within easy range of tbelr
rifles. But how could two men success
fully defend so many points of assault?
The case appeared hopeless, but they
were not the men to despair. To White
was assigned the duty of keeping up
the Are In front, and McClelland un
dertook to defend the threatened flank.
Soon he saw a tall, swarthy warrior
crouching on the brink of the ravine,
preparing for the leap M'hich was to de
cide the battle. Only an inch or so of
the dusky figure was disceruible,and the
distance was nearly one hundred yards;
but the scout knew that everything de
pended on his foiling the savage, and
he resolved to risk everything upon a
single shot. Coolly and deliberately he
raised his rifle, his trained nerves wcro
brought under perfect control, and the
weapon became as steady as the rock on
which he stood. He drew a bead so true
that failure seemed impossible, touched
the delicate trigger, the hammer came
down, the flint was broken into a dozen
fragments, but the gun was not dis
charged. , .
A half stifled lips of the hunter, but
he retained his self-control, and pro
ceeded to adjust a new flint, though he
felt almost certain that the savage would
gain the coveted position before he could
discharge his weapon. Finally the flint
was In place, and as he gave the screw a
final turn, he glanced in the direction of
danger, and saw the enemy crouched,
every nerve strained, and at the same
instant he sprang with the agility of a
panther for the coveted advantage.
The scout gave utterance to a sup
pressed groan as he saw the movement,
and gave up all as lost. But at the
same instant the vaulting savage uttered
a piercing shriek, fell limp and . lifeless
on the rocky edge, and rolled into the
ravine. Ho had been shot, but by
whom V There was not time to inquire
whence the friendly bullet had come,
for new dangers were demanding in
stant action.
' The fall of the swarthy warrior called
forth loud cries of defiance, indicating
that a man of some note had fallen and
that he was to be avenged.
McClelland soon saw that the advan
tage gained was but temporary, for a
stalwart Indian was seen to he cautious
ly approaching the spot which had
proved so fatal to his predecssor. He,
too, was about to make the fatal leap,
and had been covered by the scout's
rifle, when another shot from an un
known had sent him reeling Into the
abyss. The howls ' of rage which came
from below showed that another favorite
chief had fallen.
Another and another essayed the fear
ful leap, and met with a like fate, when
the Indians withdrew to devise some new
method of attack. They had lost seri
ously, were ignorant of the number and
character of their enemy, and after care
fully guarding every path by which an
escape was possible, they drew off to de
termine on a new plan of attack,and the
besciged were given a hrief season for
rest and reflection.
' Now for the first time they thought of
the girl, hut she was missing. They
concluded that . she must have fled in
terror when the ' firing 'commenced,
probably returned to the Indian camp ;
or perhaps she had been killed during
the fight, and her miserable captivity
ended.
Great was their surprise, therefore,
when she made her appearance from be
hind a dense clump of hazel, with a
rifle in her hand. Her story was soon
told. In the thickest of the fight be
noticed a warrior full In a thicket consid
erably in advance of his companions ; it
occurred to her that if she -could only
get possession of his gun she might ma
terially aid her friends. , Taking advan
tage in a change of position by the as
sailants, she crept out through the tall
grass and secured the , coveted prize, to
gether with plenty of ammunition.
Her qulok eye had also discovered the
NO. 9.
peril which tlireatened them from the
rock which the savages had, sought to
occupy, and it was she who had so suc
cessfully defended it.
Night soon came on, wiih u terrible
storm ofj wind and rain,, and darkness
almost impenetrable covered the moun
tain. Fortunately the gill was familiar
with every path .and ravine, and at her
suggestion It was determined that she
should undertake to- lead the way
through the savage lines Into the valley,
whence escape would. not ho difficult.
The noise of the storm., it was hoped,
would prevent their movements being
heard ; and she was to. take the lead, it
being thought that even If she encouter
ed some of the sentihets, her acquaint
ance with them, her. knowledge of their
language, and her ready wit, would en
able her to turn asido suspicion.
About midnight they set out, the girl
a few rods in advance. They had pro
ceeded less than a hundred yards when
she gave the scouts the signal to halt,
while she went forward to reconnolter.
She soon, returned and reported their
retreat In that direction cut off by half
dozen savages, who occupied the path
directly in, front of them. She then re
traced her steps a tew rods and descend
ed to a deep broken gulch, usually dry,
but which was then partially filled by
the falling rain. Along this gulch, over
the broken rocks, and through the
deepening current,they cautiously went, ,
the intense darkness and the noise and
confusion of the storm protecting them
from discovery. The gulch led to the
river but a short distance from the vil
lage, whither the guide directed the
scouts to follow her. They hesitated,
remonstrated and even began to suspect
treachery ; but she urged them on, and
they proceeded. Very soon a new dan- ,
ger confronted them they were savagely
assailed, by a couplo of dogs, whoao .
barking threatened to arouse the whole,
village ; but the animals were soon,.,
quieted by the guide as they easily rec
oirnlzed her voice. Thev soon reached
the midst of the village, the most, per-
feet silence being observed passed..'
through it without adventure and ..were
soon miles beyond on their way to the
Ohio.
The sagacious girl afterwards explain. .
cd that she knew every probable line of
escape was carefully guarded, and that
the only feasible road to l'.berty and4
safety lay through the town,, which,,
route was unguarded, as a retreat in that
direction was not considered among the
pt-obabllitles. By any other-route cap
ture and death would have been almost
certain. Once clear of the. enemy, they
took the direction of the . settlement..
which they reached in three, days.
The girl who had been. ,so singularly
discovered, and had proved , so efficient
as a soldier and a gukle returned to
Virginia, found that her relatives had
moved to Kentucky, whither she fol
lowed them and roada, Kentucky her
home. She was married .a few years
after her adventure, and raised a large
family. One of her. grandsons kad been
Governor of the BUu, one served with,
distinction in the IJexlcan wee, and one
was killed during, the late war, while
holding high ranv in , the Confederate
army.
He Knew Beans.
He sat alork,.in her fttber's parlor,
waiting for tle fair one's appearance, the
other evening, when fcex little brother
came cautiously into, the, room gliding
up to the young uiaWa side, held out a
handful of something and earnestly in
quired:. . .
" I say, mister, that's them V"
" Thjse," repllod the young man, sol
emnly, taking 14 one in his fingers,
" thce, are beans.',' ,' , , ',
" There 1" shouted the boy, turning to
his tlbter, wh was Ju.-t ctutiing in, I.
knew you Had. You said he didn't know
beans, and Se does, too I"
The young man's call waa not what
you, migfctt call a prolonged one that
evening.. ' i
2"' May they always live in peace and
harmony," was the way a Yankee mar
riage notice should have wound up; but
the compositor who couldn't read man
uscript very well, put in type and hor
rified the happy couple by making It
read; "May they always live pu jean
and hominy,"