xt7w0v89h823 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7w0v89h823/data/mets.xml Hartley, Cecil B. 1902  books b92-80-27254544 English Perkins, : New York : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820. Life and times of Colonel Daniel Boone  / by Cecil B. Hartley ; with an introduction by G. Mercer Adam ; illustrated. text Life and times of Colonel Daniel Boone  / by Cecil B. Hartley ; with an introduction by G. Mercer Adam ; illustrated. 1902 2002 true xt7w0v89h823 section xt7w0v89h823 























































DANIEL BOONE.

 




THE LIFE AND TIMES OF



COLONEL DANIEL BOONE









     BY CECIL B. H ARTLEY




         WITH AN INTRODUCTION
         BY G. MERCER ADAM




           ILLUSTRATED




    THE PERKINS BOOK COMPANY,
       296 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.

 

























   Copyright, 1902,
BY E. A. BRAINERD.

 



PREFACE.



  TniE subject of the following biography, the
celebrated COLONEL DANEL BooNE, is one of
the most remarkable men which this country has
produced. His character is marked with origi-
nality, and his actions were important and influ-
ential in one of the most interesting periods of
our history-that of the early settlement of
Kentucky. Boone is generally acknowledged as
the founder of that State. His having explored
it alone to a considerable extent; his leading
the earliest bands of settlers; his founding
Boonesborough, the nucleus of the future State;
his having defended this and other stations suc-
cessfully against the attacks of the Indians; and
the prominent part which he took in military
affairs at this period of distress and peril, cer-
   ii

 





tainly render his claims to the distinguished
honor of founding Kentucky very strong.
  But Boone, personally, reaped very little
benefit from his patriotic and disinterested ex-
ertions. The lands which he had first cultivated
and defended, were taken from him by the
chicanery of the law; other lands granted to
him by the Spanish government were lost by his
inattention to legal forms; and in his old age he
was without an acre of land which he could
call his own. A few years before his death a
small tract, such as any other settler in Missouri
was entitled to, was granted him by Congress.
But he has left to his numerous posterity a
nobler inheritance-that of an imperishable
fame in the annals of his country I



is



PREFACE.



 





                   CONTENTS.


                   CHAPTER I.
                                                 PAGS
The family of Daniel Boone-His grandfather emigrates
to America, and settles in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
-Family of Daniel Boone's father-Account of Exeter,
the birthplace of Boone-Birth of Daniel Boone-Reli-
gion of his family-Boone's boyhood-Goes to School-
Anecdote-Summary termination of his schooling .....  I

                    CHAPTER II.
Removal of Boone's father and family to North Carolina
-Location on the Yadkin River-Character of the
country and the people-Byron's description of the back-
woodsman-Daniel Boone marries Rebecca Bryan-His
farmer life in North Carolina-State of the country-
Political troubles foreshadowed-Illegal fees and taxes
-Probable effect of this state of things on Boone's mind
-Signs of movement ............... 12

                   CHAPTER III.
The Seven Years' War-Cherokee war-Period of Boone's
first long excursion to the West - Extract from
Wheeler's History of Tennessee-Indian accounts of the
western country-Indian traders-Their reports-West-
ern travelers-Doherty- Adair - Proceedings of the
traders-Hunters-Scotch traders-Hunters accompany
the traders to the West-Their reports concerning the
country-Other adventurers-Dr. Walker's expedition
-Settlements in Southwestern Virginia-Indian hostili-
                         V

 





Vi



CONTENTS.



                                                  PAGE
 ties-Pendleton purchase-Dr. Walker's second expedi-
 tion-Hunting company of Walker and others--Boone
 travels with them-Curious monument left by him....... 18

                    CHAPTER IV.
Political and social condition of North Carolina-Taxes-
Lawsuits-Ostentation and extravagance of foreigners
and government officers-Oppression of the people-
Murmurs-Open resistance-The Regulators-Willing-
ness of Daniel Boone and others to migrate, and their
reasons-John Finley's expedition to the West-His re-
port to Boone-He determines to join Finley in his next
hunting tour-New company formed, with Boone for
leader-Preparations for starting-The party sets out-
Travels for a month through the wilderness-First sight
of Kentucky-Forming a camp-Hunting buffaloes and
other game-Capture of Boone and Stuart by the Indians
-Prudent dissimulation-Escape from the Indians-
Return to the old camp-Their companions lost-Boone
and Stuart renew their hunting ........................ 33

                    CHAPTER V.
Arrival of Squire Boone and a companion at the camp of
Daniel Boone-Joyful meeting-1 lews from home, and
hunting resumed-Daniel Boone and Stuart surprised by
the Indians-Stuart killed-Escape of Boone, and his
return to camp-Squire Boone's companion lost in the
woods-Residence of Daniel Boone and Squire Boone
in the wilderness-Squire returns to North Carolina,
obtains a fresh supply of ammunition, and again rejoins
  his brother at the old camp-Daniel Boone's own ac-
  count of this remarkable period of his life-His return
  to North Carolina-His determination to settle in Ken-
  tucky-Other Western adventurers-The Long hunters
  -Washington in Kentucky-Bullitt's party-Floyd's
  party-Thompson's survey-First settlement of Ten-
  nessee ................................................. 49

 





CONTENTS.



                    CHAPTER VI.
                                                   PAGns
Daniel Boone remains two years in North Carolina after
  his return from the West-He prepares to emigrate to
  Kentucky-Character of the early settlers to Kentucky
  -The first class, hunters-The second class, small
  farmers-The third class, men of wealth and govern-
  ment officers ......................................... 65
                    CHAPTER VII.
Daniel Boone sets out for Kentucky with his family and
  his brother Squire Boone-Is joined by five families
  and forty men at Powell's Valley-The party is attacked
  by Indians and Daniel Boone's oldest son is killed-
  The party returns to the settlements on Clinch River-
  Boone, at the request of Governor Dunmore, goes to
  the West and conducts a party of Surveyors to Virginia
  -Boone receives the command of three garrisons and
  the commission of captain-He takes a part in the
  Dunmore war-Battle of Point Pleasant and termina-
  tion of the war...........                        76

                   CHAPTER VIII.
The militia discharged-Captain Boone returns to his
family-Henderson's company-Various companies of
emigrants to Kentucky-Bounty lands-Harrod's party
builds the first log-cabin erected in Kentucky, and
founds Harrodsburg-Proceedings of Henderson's com-
pany-Agency of Captain Boone-He leads a company
to open a road to Kentucky River-Conflicts with the
Indians-Captain Boone founds Boonesborough-His
own account of this expedition-His letter to Hender-
son-Account of Colonel Henderson and the Transyl-
vania Company-Failure of the scheme-Probability of
Boone having been several years in the service of Hen-
derson .... 87
                    CHAPTER IX.
Description of the Old Fort at Boonesborough - Usual



vii

 





viii                 CONTENTS.
                                                    PAG3
 methods of fortifications against the Indians-Arrival
 of more settlers at Boonesborough-Captain Boone re-
 turns to the Clinch River to bring out his family-He
 enlists new emigrants and starts for Kentucky-Rein-
 forced by a large party at Powell's Valley-Arrival at
 Boonesborough - Arrival of many new settlers at
 Boonesborough and Harrod's settlement-Arrival of
 Kenton, Floyd, the McAfees, and other distinguished
 persons-Arrival of Colonel Richard Callaway ....... 99
                     CHAPTER X.
Disturbed state of the country in 1775-Breaking out of
  the Revolutionary war-Exposed situation of the Ken-
  tucky settlements-Hostility of the Indians excited by
  the British-First political convention in the West-
  Capture of Boone's daughter and the daughters of Col-
  onel Callaway by the Indians-Their rescue by a party
  led by Boone and Callaway-Increased caution of the
  colonists at Boonesborough-Alarm and desertion of the
  Colonies in the West by land speculators and other
  adventurers-A reinforcement of forty-five men from
  North Carolina arrive at Boonesborough-Indian attack
  on Boonesborough in April-Another attack in July-
  Attack on Logan's Fort, and siege-Attack on Harrods-
  burg .................................................. 106
                     CHAPTER XI.
Arrival of George Rogers Clark in Kentucky-Anecdote of
  his conversation with Ray-Clark and Jones chosen as
  delegates for the Colonies to the Virginia Legislature
  -Clark's important services in obtaining a political
  organization for Kentucky, and an abundant supply of
  gunpowder from the government of Virginia-Great
  labor and difficulty in bringing the powder to Harrods-
  town-Clark's expedition against Kaskaskias-Surprise
  and capture of their fort-Perilous and difficult march
  to Vincennes-Surprise and capture of that place-Ex-
  tension of the Virginian settlements-Erection of Fort
  Jefferson.............................................. 116

 





CONTENTS



ix



                    CHAPTER XII.
                                                  PAGR
Scarcity of salt at Boonesborough-Boone goes to Blue
Licks to make salt, and is captured by the Indians-
Taken to Chillicothe-Affects contentment, and deceives
the Indians-Taken to Detroit-Kindness of the British
officers to him-Returns to Chillicothe-Adopted into
an Indian family-Ceremonies of adoption-Boone sees
a large force of Indians destined to attack Boones-
borough- Escapes, and gives the alarm, and strength-
ens the fortifications at Boonesborough-News of delay
by the Indians on account of Boone's escape-Boone
goes on an expedition to the Scioto-Has a fight with
a party of Indians-Returns to Boonesborough, which
is immediately besieged by Captain Duquesne with five
hundred Indians-Summons to surrender-Time gained
-Attack commenced-Brave defense-Mines and coun-
terminesiege raised-Boone brings his family once
more back to Boonesborough, and resumes farming.... 129

                   CHAPTER XIII.
Captain Boone tried by court-martial-Honorably ac-
quitted and promoted-Loses a large sum of money-
His losses by lawsuits and disputes about land-Defeat
of Colonel Rogers's party-Colonel Bowman's expedi-
tion to Chillicothe-Arrival near the town-Colonel
Logan attacks the town-Ordered by Colonel Bowman
to retreat-Failure of the expedition-Consequences to
Bowman and to Logan ................................ 144

                   CHAPTER XIV.

Invasion of Kentucky by Captain Byrd's party-He cap-
tures the garrisons at Ruddle's Station and Martins
Fort-Colonel Clark's invasion of the Indian country-
He ravages the Indian towns-Adventure of Alex-
ander McConnell-Skirmish at Pickaway-Result of the
expedition-Boone goes to the Blue Licks with his
brother-Attacked by the Indians-Boone's brother

 





X



OONTENTS.



  killed-Boone promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-G
  Colonel-Clark's galley-Squire Boone's Station re-
  moved to Bear's Creek-Attack by the Indians-Col-
  onel Floyd's defeat-Affair of the McAfees-Attack on
  McAfee's Station repelled-Fort Jefferson evacuated-
  Attack on Montgomery Station-Rescue by General
  Logan................................................ 16

                    CHAPTER XV.
News of Cornwallis's surrender-Its effects-Captain
  Estill's defeat-Grand army of Indians raised for the
  conquest of Kentucky-Simon Girty's speech-Attack
  on Hoy's Station-Investment of Bryant's Station-
  Expedient of the besieged to obtain water-Grand
  attack on the fort-Repulse Regular siege commenced
  -Messengers sent to Lexington-Reinforcements ob-
  tained-Arrival near the fort-Ambushed and attacked
  -They enter the fort-Narrow escape of Girty-He pro-
  poses a capitulation-Parley-Reynolds' answer to
  Girty-The siege raised-Retreat of the Indians . 176

                   CHAPTER XVI.
Arrival of reinforcements at Bryant's Station-Colonel
Daniel Boone, his son and brother among them-Col-
onels Trigg, Todd, and others-Consultation-Apprehen-
sions of Boone and others-Arrival at the Blue Licks
-Rash conduct of Major McGary-Battle of Blue Licks
-Israel Boone, Colonels Todd and Trigg, and Majors
Harland and McBride killed-Retreat of the whites-
Colonel Boone nearly surrounded by Indians-Bravery
of Netherland-Noble conduct of Reynolds-The fugi-
tives meet Colonel Logan with his party-Return to
the field of battle-Logan returns to Bryant's Station.. 197

                  CHAPTER XVII.
The Indians return home from the Blue Licks-They
attack the settlements in Jefferson County-Affair at
Simpson's Creek-General Clark's expedition to the

 





CONTENTS.



                                                   PAGE
 Indian country-Colonel Boone joins it-Its effect-
 Attack of the Indians on the Crab Orchard settlement
 -Rumor of intended invasion by the Cherokees-Diffi-
 culties about the treaty with Great Britain-Hostilities
 of the Indians generally stimulated by renegade whites
 -Simon Girty-Causes of his hatred of the whites-
 Girty insulted by General Lewis-Joins the Indians at
 the battle of Point Pleasant-Story of his rescuing
 Simon Kenton-Crawford's expedition, and the Burn-
 ing of Crawford-Close of Girty's career ............... 213

                   CHAPTER XVIII.
Season of repose-Colonel Boone buys land-Builds a
log-house and goes to farming-Kentucky organized
on a new basis-Colonel Boone surprised by Indians-
Escapes-Manners and customs of the settlers-The
autumn hunt-The house-warming ...................

                   CHAPTER XIX.
Condition of the early settlers as it respects the me-
chanic arts-Throwing the tomahawk-Athletic sports
-Dancing-Shooting at marks-Scarcity of Iron-Cos-
tume -Dwellings - Furniture - Employments -The
women-Their character-Diet-Indian corn .......... 26G

                    CHAPTER XX.
Indian hostilities resumed-Expedition of Davis, Caffre
and McClure-Attack on Captain Ward's boat-Affair
near Scaggs' Creek-Growth of Kentucky-Population
-Trade-General Logan calls a meeting at Danville-
Convention called-Separation from Virginia proposed
-Virginia consents-Kentucky admitted as an inde-
pendent State of the Union-Indian hostilities-Expe-
dition and death of Colonel Christian-Expedition of
General Clark-Expedition of General Logan-Success
of Captain Hardin-Defeat of Hlargrove-Exploits of
Simon Kenton-Affairs at the Elkhorn settlements-
Treaty-Harman's expedition ......................... 293



xi

 





CONTENTDL



                   CHAPTER XXL
                                                   PAGS
Colonel Boone meets with the loss of all his land in Ken-
tucky, and emigrates to Virginia-Resides on the Ken-
hawha, near Point Pleasant-Emigrates to Missouri-
Is appointed commandant of a district-Mr. Audubon's
narrative of a night passed with Boone ............. 27

                   CHAPTER XXII.
Colonel Boone receives a large grant of land from the
Spanish Government of Upper Louisiana-He loses it-
Sketch of the history of Missouri-Colonel Boone's
hunting-He pays his debts by the sale of furs-Taken
sick in his hunting camp-Colonel Boone applies to
Congress to recover his land-The Legislature of Ken-
tucky supports his claim-Death of Mrs. Boone-
Results of the application to Congress-Occupations of
his declining years-Mr. Harding paints his portrait.... 340

                  CHAPTER XXIII.
Last illness, and death of Colonel Boone-His funeral-
Account of his family-His remains and those of his
wife removed from Missouri, and reinterred in the new
cemetery in Frankfort, Kentucky-Character of Colonel
Boone.... .................................. ......... 352
Colonel Boone's Autobiography ........ ................ 857



Hii

 




          INTRODUCTORY NOTE.


  THu story of pioneer life in the early wilds of Ken-
tucky and "1 the Winning of the West "-to use Presi-
dent Roosevelt's apt title-phrase-is exciting and full
of interest. One of its first white discoverers was the
hunter, John Finley, who, in 1767, with some compan-
ions, crossed the Alleghanies and entered the hitherto
little known region beyond. Of this early pioneer,
Colonel Daniel Boone, then residing at Yadkin, S. C.,
interestingly heard, and in 1769 he and six comrade
woodsmen set out across the mountains by way of
Cumberland Gap to explore for themselves the Eastern
Kentucky district, which in early days was known to
the outer world by the now almost forgotten designa-
tion of the colony of Transylvania. Previous to this
time the explorers in the region had been few; and
even the Indian inhabitants had departed from it, to be
afterwards harried by the troops of Lord Dunmore in
the Ohio Valley in the Western border war of the
Revolution.
  Boone's progenitors had emigrated from Devon, Eng-
land, and settled in Pennsylvania, where some of them
joined the Quakers, while Boone's father, in 1748, re-
moved to South Carolina and settled on the Yadkin at
Holman's Ford. It was there that Daniel Boone set
forth, as above narrated, and, though twice captured
by Indians, he escaped and returned to his home in
                                         Xii

 




              INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

17 71, only, however, to set out again for Kentucky two
years later, and this time with his family and the
families of six other emigrants.
  In Kentucky, Boone and his little colony built a fort
on the left bank of the Kentucky River, at a place they
called Boonesborough, and here they lived an exciting,
adventurous life, in constant danger from lurking In-
dians, who once more made Boone captive, with some
of his people; while two of his daughters were surprised
canoeing on the river, though immediately rescued.
Boone and his comrades were conveyed by the In-
dians to Detroit, where all were ransomed save Boone
himself, who was taken to the tribal seat, Chillicothe,
and there adopted into the family of a Shawnee chief.
Though closely watched by his captors, Boone, on
learning that the tribe contemplated a raid on his own
settlement, managed to escape, and after a journey of
160 miles turned up, to the surprise of all, in time to
defend his family and people in the fort from an at-
tacking party of 450 Indians and some Frenchmen,
who assailed their stronghold for over twelve days, but
were finally beaten off with great loss. This deter-
mined assault on the fort of Boonesborough is described
as "one of the most heroic of those bloody struggles
between civilization and barbarism which have ren-
dered the plains of Kentucky memorable." The at-
tacking Indians, as we have said, were aided by some
French, under Captain Duquesne; and both Indians
and French bore British and French colors, while the
surrender of the Fort was demanded in the name of
His Britannic Majesty. After the raising of the siege
and the departure of the assaulting force, the Fort was
afterwards free from Indian attack; while settlement

 




INTRODIUCTORY NOTE.



in Kentucky rapidly advanced, the Revolutionary War
driving many settlers far to the West.
  The event we have just related took place in August,
1X7 8, and, four years later, Boone fought a battle against
the Indians at Blue Licks, where one of his sons was
killed. In 1790, on the separation of Kentucky from
Virginia, the great hunter and pioneer settled for a
time at Point Pleasant, on the Kanawha River; and
from 1795 to 1804, after removing to Missouri, then a
Spanish possession, he acted as Commandant of the
Femme Osage district, having received a grant of 8,000
acres for his public services. This and other land
grants Boone unfortunately lost when the United States
became possessed of Spanish territory; though he was
to some extent recouped for these losses by other land
grants, after an appeal to the Legislature of Kentucky
and to Congress. Boone died on his Missouri farm at
Charette in September, 1820, and a quarter of a century
afterwards the State of Kentucky paid his memory the
honor of removing his remains for interment in Ken-
tucky soil, near Frankfort. Here his grave is the ob-
ject of veneration by the patriotic among his country-
men, and by those especially who remember his great
services at an early era to what is now the State of
Kentucky.
                                G. MERCEI ADAM.

 
This page in the original text is blank.


 




LIFE= AND TIMES



                     OF

 COLONEL DANIEL BOONE.


               CHAPTER I.
The family of Daniel Boone-His grandfather emigrates to
America, and settles in Bucks County, Pennsylvania-Fam-
ily of Daniel Boone's father-Account of Exeter, the birth-
place of Boone-Birth of Daniel Boone-Religion of his
family-Boone's boyhood-Goes to School-Anecdote-
Summary termination of his schooling.

  THE immediate ancestors and near relations
of the American Boone family, resided at Brad-
winch about eight miles from Exeter, England.
George Boone, the grandfather of Daniel, emi-
grated to America and arrived, with Mary his
wife, at Philadelphia, on the 10th of October,
1717. They brought with them eleven chil-
dren, two daughters and nine sons. The names
of three of the sons have come down to us.
                                      I

 



LIFE OF DANIEL BOONE.



John, James, and Squire. The last of these,
Squire Boone, was the father of Daniel.
  George Boone, immediately after his arrival
in America, )lrchasedl a large tract of land in
what is now Bucks County, which he settled,
and called it Exeter, after the city ilear which
he was born. The records distinguish it only
as the township of Exeter, without any county.
He purchased also various other tracts in Mary-
land and Virginita; and our tradition   says,
among others, the ground on which George.
town, District of Columbia, now stands, and
that he laid the town out, and gave it his own
name. His sons John and James lived and
died on the Exeter purchase.
  Daniel Boone's father, Squire Boone, had
seven sons and four daughters, viz.: James,t
Samuel, Jonathan, Daniel, George, Squire, Ed-
vard, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Hannah.
  Exeter Township is situated in Bucks County,
Pennsylvania, and now has a population of ovc(r
   " Pittsburg Gazette," quoted ly TPeck.
 t The eldest, James, was killed by thie Indiatns in 1 ,73, and
 his son Israel was killed at thi battle of Bllue Licks, August
 19th, 1782.



2

 



LIFE OF DANIEL BOONE.



two thousand. Here Daniel Boone was born,
on the 11th of February, 1735.
  The maiden name of Boone's mother was
Sarah Morgan. Some dispute has arisen re-
specting the religious persuasion of the Boone
family. It would appear, on a review of the
whole controversy, that before their removal
to this country, the Boones were Episcopalians;
but during their residence in Pennsylvania
they permitted themselves to be considered
Quakers.   What sort of a Quaker Daniel
Boone himself was, will be apparent in the
course of our narrative.
  Exeter, the native place of Daniel Boone,
was at this period a small frontier settlement,
consisting of log-houses, surrounded with woods,
which abounded with game of various kinds
and were occasionally infested with hostile
Indians. It is not surprising that Daniel, pass-
ing the period of his boyhood in such a place,

 Bogant gives 11th of February, 1735. Peck, February,
1735. Another account gives 1746 as the year of his birth,
and Bucks County as his birthplace. The family record, in
the handwriting of Daniel Boone's uncle, James, who was a
schoolmaster, gives the 14th of July, 1732.



3

 



LIEFE OF DANIEL BOONE



should have acquired at an early age the ac-
complishments of a hunter and woodsman.
From a inere child it was his chief delight to
roam in the woods, to observe the wild haunts
of Nature, and to pursue the wild animals
which were then so abundant.
  Of the boyhood of Daniel Boone, one of his bi-
ographers gives the following account. Speak-
ing of the residence of the family at Exeter,
he says:
  " Here they lived for ten years; and it was
during this time that their son Daniel began to
show his passion for hunting. He was scarcely
able to carry a gun when he was shooting all
the squirrels, raccoons, and even wild cats (it
is said), that he could find in that region. As
he grew older, his courage increased, and then
we find him amusing himself with higher game.
Other lads in the neighborhood were soon
taught by him the use of the rifle, and were
then able to join him in his adventures. On
one occasion, they all started out for a hunt,



 " Adventures of Daniel Boone, the Kentucky Rifleman.'
By the author of " Uncle Philip's Conversations."



4

 



LIFE OF DANIEL BOONE.



and, after amusing themselves till it was ainmost
dark, were returning homeward, when sud-
denly a wild cry was heard in the woods. The
boys screamed out, 'A panther! A panther !'
and ran off as fast as they could. Boone stood
firmly, looking around for the animal. It was
a panther indeed. His eye lighted upon him
just in the act of springing toward him; in an
instant he leveled his rifle, and shot him through
the heart.
  " But this sort of sport was not enough for
him. He seemed resolved to go away from
men, and live in the forests with these animals.
One morning he started off as usual, with his
rifle and dog. Night came on, but Daniel did
not return to his home.  Another day and
night passed away, and still the boy did not
make his appearance. His parents were now
greatly alarmed. The neighbors joined them
in making search for the lad. After wander-
ing about a great while, they at length saw
smoke rising from a cabin in the distance.
Upon reaching it, they found the boy. The
floor of the cabin was covered with the skins



5

 



LIFE OF DANIEL BOONE.



of such animals as he had slain, and pieces of
meat were roasting before the fire for his
supper. Here, at a distance of three miles
from any settlement, he had built his cabin of
sods and branches and sheltered himself in the
wilderness.
  'i It was while his father was living on the
headwaters of the Schuylkill that young Boone
received, so far as we know, all hbi education.
Short indeed were his schoolboy days.   It
happened that an Irish schoolmaster strolled
into the settlement, and, by the advice of Mr.
Boone and other parents, opened a school in
the neighborhood. It was not then as it is
now. Good schoolhouses were not scattered
over the land; nor were schoolmasters always
able to teach their pupils. The schoolhouse
where the boys of this settlement went was a
log-cabin, built in the midst of the woods.
The schoolmaster was a strange man; some.
times good-humored, and then indulging the
lads; sometimes surly and ill-natured, and then
beating them  severely.  It was his usual
custom, after hearing the first lessons of the



6

 



LIFE OF DANIEL BOONE.



morning, to allow the children to be out for
a half hour at play, during which time he
strolled off to refresh himself from his labors.
He always walked in the same direction, and
the boys thought that after his return, when
they were called in, he was generally more
cruel than ever. They were whipped more
severely, and oftentimes without any cause.
They observed this, but did not know the
meaning of it. One morning young Boone
asked that he might go out, and had scarcely
left the schoolroom when he saw a squirrel
running over the trunk of a fallen tree. True
to his nature, he instantly gave chase, until at
last the squirrel darted into a bower of vines
and branches. Boone thrust his hand in, and,
to his surprise, laid hold of a bottle of whisky.
This was in the direction of his master's morn-
ing walks, and he thought now that he under-
stood the secret of much of his ill-nature. He
returned to the schoolroom; but, when they
were dismissed for that day, he told some of the
larger boys of his discovery. Their plan was
soon arranged. Early the next morning a bottle



7

 



LIFE OF DANIEL BOONE.



of whisky, having tartar emetic in it, wm placed
in the bower and the other bottle thrown away.
At the usual hour, the lads were sent out to
play, and the master started on his walk. But
their play was to come afterward; they longed
for the master to return. At length they were
called in, and in a little time saw the success of
their experiment. The master began to look
pale and sick, yet still went on with his work.
Several boys were called up, one after the
other, to recite lessons, and all whipped soundly,
whether right or wrong. At last young Boone
was called out to answer questions in arith-
metic. He came forward with his slate and
pencil, and the master began. " If you subtract
six from nine what remains  " said he. " Three,
sir," said Boone. " Very good," said the master,
"now let us come to fractions. If you take
three-quarters from a whole number what re-
mains"    The whole, sir," answered Boone.
"You blockhead!" cried the master, beating
him; "you stupid little fool, how can you show
that"  " If I take one bottle of whisky," said
Boone, " and put in its place another in which



a

 



LIFE OF DANIEL BOONE.



I have mixed an emetic, the whole will remain
if nobody drinks it!" The Irishman, dread-
fully sick, was now doubly enraged. He seized
Boone, and commenced beating him; the chil-
dren shouted and roared; the scuffle continued
until Boone knocked the master down upon
the floor, and rushed out of the room. It was
a day of freedom now for the lads. The story
soon ran through the neighborhood; Boone was
rebuked by his parents, but the schoolmaster
was dismissed, and thus ended the boy's educa-
tion.
  Thus freed from school, he now returned more
ardently than ever to his favorite pursuit. His
dog and rifle were his constant companions, and
day after day he started from home, only to
roam through the forests. Hunting seemed to
be the only business of his life; and he was
never so happy as when at night he came home
laden with game. He was an untiring wan-
derer."
  Perhaps it was not a very serious misfortune
for Daniel Boone that his school instruction was
so scanty, for, "in another kind of education,"



9

 



LIFE OF DANIEL BOONE.



says Mr. Peck, " not unfrequent in the wilds of
the West, he was an adept. No Indian could
poise the rifle, find his way through the pathless
forest, or search out the retreats of game, more
readily than Daniel Boone. In all that related
to Indian sagacity, border life, or the tactics of
the skillful hunter, he excelled. The success-
ful training of a hunter, or woodsman, is a kind
of education of mental discipline, differing from
that of the schoolroom, but not less effective in
giving vigor to the mind, quickness of appre-
hension, and habits of close observation. Boone
was regularly trained in all that made him a
successful backwoodsman. Indolence and im-
becility never produced a Simon Kenton, a
Tecumth'e or a Daniel Boone. To gain the
skill of an accomplished hunter requires talents,
patience, perseverance, sagacity, and habits of
thinking. Amongst other qualifications, knowl-
edge of human nature, and especially of Indian
character is indispensable to the pioneer of a
wilderness. Add to these, self-possession, self-
control, and promptness in execution. Persons
       " We of Daniel Boone " By John M. Peok.



10

 



LIFE OF DANIEL BOONE.



who are unaccustomed to a frontier residence
know not how much, in the preservation of life,
and in obtaining subsistence, depends on such
characteristics ! "
  In the woods surrounding the little settle-
ment of Exeter, Boone had ample opportunity
for perfecting himself in this species of nmental
discipline, and of gaining that physical training
of the limbs and muscles so necessary in the
pursuits of the active hunter and pioneer. We
have no record of his ever having encountered
the Indians during his residence in Pennsyl-
vania. His knowledge of their peculiar modes
of hunting and war was to be attained not less
thoroughly at a somewhat later period of life.



11



 



CHAPTER II.



Removal of Boone's father and family to North Carolina-
Location on the Yadkin River-Clharacter of the country
and the l)eople-By ron's description of tile backwoodsman-