The Captivity of Jonathan Alder (1773-1849)
and his life with the Indians
The next morning, after eating breakfast, the Indians packed their blankets and foods and moved on. They now changed their course to the north-west and traveled slower than usual. They encamped earlier that day than they were accustomed, and the hunters brought in plenty of fresh meat, part of which they roasted for supper. The whole party was very hungry and ate with relish, after which they again retired to rest, in the usual manner. They soon fell into a profound sleep and rested comfortably until the next morning. They again awakened early, ate breakfast, and continued to travel in the same direction. They made a short halt at noon, to roast a little fresh meat which was now becoming abundant. Turkey and venison, roasted in the Indian manner, were regarded as very fine food. This ended the sixth day of their captivity. The Indians were now becoming more cheerful and sat up until a late hour. They told jokes laughed and talked as if there were no longer danger of pursuit. The prisoners were attentive observers of all the motions and actions of the Indians, and were much relieved by their cheerful demeanor. On the morning of the seventh day, the Indians awoke merry and happy, ate breakfast, and were in marching order before sun up. They traveled faster than before but were kind to the prisoners. Their manner was less harsh toward Mrs. Martin. Still, she seemed despondent and in very low spirits. She was the same pitiable, heart-broken creature, and seemed to do as she was told, mechanically but without murmuring, though her eyes were frequently filled with tears. During the day the hunters killed game which they packed on their backs. It was a matter of surprise to the captives, to see the quantity an Indian could carry, and yet make good headway traveling. About twelve o'clock they arrived at the head waters of the Big Sandy. Where the trail struck the stream, the water was quite shallow, but sufficiently deep to float a bark canoe. Here they halted for dinner after which the Indians peeled large hickory trees and constructed three canoes and launched them a short time before night, rowed down the stream several miles not deeming it sate to camp where they had made the canoes. They landed on the opposite side of the river, for the night, prepared supper, and were in fine spirit. After supper, they informed the captives that they would travel a long distance by water. This news was quite a relief to Mrs. Martin and young Alder, for they were much worn by their long journey over rough paths. The prospect of floating down the river, without exertion, revived their drooping energies and gave fresh courage. The scenery along the Big Sandy is described as being unrivaled for beauty, and, had the captives been differently situated, the trip would have been exceedingly gratifying. As it was, it seemed to revive their spirits, for, in addition to the grand scenery spread out on either bank of the river, the Indians now relaxed their usual caution, and ceased to fetter their captives before retiring to rest. Mr. Alder says, "That night I dreamed of my home, my mother and little brothers, and oh! what a pleasant time I seemed to have, but alas! when I awoke it was all a dream, and I was nothing but a poor little boy, in the-hands of the merciless savage."
This was the eighth morning from their captivity and from that time onward, Mr. Alder lost all recollection of time. He was unable to fix the precise number of days it took to float down the river. The canoes glided down the current so smoothly, and the scenery was so enchanting, that he lost all count of days. When night came, they hauled up on shore, and encamped and built a fire to roast the ducks and other game killed during the days of which all ate heartily, and then retired to rest without posting a watch. From this time the Indians seemed to enjoy themselves very much. They talked freely, related anecdotes, laughed and seemed free of restraints. They now feared no danger, and, although they were vigilant in observing the motions of their prisoners, allowed them a good deal of liberty. By this mode of travel the captives were as comfortable as their unfortunate situation would permit, and could sit up, lie down, or sleep as they desired, but when night came, they were always glad to get on shore, to walk around and exercise their limbs. In this way they passed down the river, day after day, admiring the rnountain ranges and overhanging forest trees that fringed both sides of the river. The stream grew wider each day, and they soon began to see large numbers of beautiful white swan swimming near the shore. The river, at times, seemed alive with wild ducks and geese, and the Indians had a good deal of sport in shooting them from the canoes. These exciting scenes engaged the attention of the captives, and diverted their thoughts from home and the hardships they had endured in traveling the rough mountain paths. In this manner time passed swiftly, until they reached the Ohio River. It hove in sight all at once, and Mr. Alder says, "I thought it was the grandest sight I ever beheld." At the mouth of the Big Sandy, or the Guyandotte, as it is now called, the Ohio River was very wide and deep. The Indians kept their canoes to the upper shore until they struck the current, when they paddled with great energy until they reached the north bank or the Ohio. The river was very high and rapid, but the Indians did not seem to be alarmed. but struck out boldly, and made a landing a short distance below the mouth of the Big Sandy. They now took their guns, goods and provisions out of the canoes, and cut them full of holes and set them adrift to prevent the escape of their captives, in case they should be foolish enough to make the attempt.
They reached the north bank of the Ohio river about the middle of the afternoon. One of the Indians went into the forest to kill a deer and returned in the evening. The other Indians, and the white man ascended a gradual rise from the river, selected a spot convenient to wood and water, and built a wigwam of poles. It was covered with bark, and made a comfortable retreat in case of wet weather. They moved into it and gave the captives full liberty to move about and ceased to tie them at night. Still, the Indians kept a watch over their actions for fear they might try to escape. The captives often went to the high bluffs of the river and looked toward their far off home in Virginia, and cried over their misfortune. The white man seemed to sympathize with them, and tried every way to make himself agreeable, but his flatteries and kind words failed to have any effect upon the prisoners. Their thoughts were continually upon home, and his attempts to convince them of the futility of fretting and weeping proved abortive. The Indians now felt perfectly at ease. There was no fear or dread on their minds and they enjoyed their fun in the camp in playing games, and relating their adventures.
About the third day after they got into camp, the Indians killed a large buffalo. It was some distance from the wigwam, and young Alder only saw the meat and the hide when they were carried into camp. Here he witnessed the process of "Jerking" the meat. They built a large fire of poles, and let it burn down to live coals and then stuck forks around it and placed small poles over the fire, and after the coals ceased smoking, the meat was cut in large slices, about one inch thick and spread on the poles over the fire. The meat was turned frequently, until it was well cooked and dried and then removed and hung in a dry place. In this manner they continued to build fires, cut and roast the meat, until the buffalo was cooked. After it was all done they built a small fire and dried the meat all over again. Meat prepared in this manner, will keep a long time by occasionally airing it in the sun. This is what the Indians calls "Jerk," This kind of food is very handy, for it is ready to be eaten at all times, and is very necessary on a march, when game is scarce, or it is unsafe to shoots. An Indian on a march, will carry enough "Jerk" on his back to last him two weeks without any inconvenience. They used "jerk" in various ways, they stewed it in vessels and made it very palatable, sometimes mixed a little bear's oil in the stew, and made it really delicious eating.
They remained in camp about two weeks, resting and recruiting. At the end of that time, the Indians began to make arrangements to resume their march. Their "jerk" being dried and packed, and each Indian having a package - for the captives were not as yet required to carry a burden - all set out and made short and easy marches each day. They traveled in a north western direction, striking the Little Scioto river and following it up some distance and crossing over to the Big Scioto, and following it up to the present site of the Chillicothe. Here they found a good many Shawnee, with their squaws and papooses, encamped. The squaws and children were engaged in making salt, and the warriors in hunting. They remained at the Indian village about two weeks, and then passed up the Scioto to Pickaway Plains and halted to hunt. The Indians killed a great many deer at this place, and remained long enough to dry the skins and pack them in bundles for sale. French and English traders were often among the Indians to buy their furs and peltry, and gave in exchange powder, lead and trinkets, and often whiskey. From Pickaway, they passed up between Big Darby and the north fork of Paint Creek. They traveled slowly hunting back and forth between the two streams, for game was very plenty. In this manner they passed the whole summer. They finally reached the present site of London, in Madison County near which was a fine spring, on Oak Run, and one on Paint Creek, also one on Darby near Old Hampton. These were favorite camping grounds for the Indians and hunters. The main Indian trace or trail from Salt Lick, near Chillicothe, to Upper Sandusky passed up the Scioto River to its headwaters, and then on to Upper Sandusky. The Darby Plains seemed to be alive with deer, bear and buffalo While hunting on the plains, the Indians kept a close watch on the movements of their captives. They never all left the camp at the same time. Some one always remained to watch, skin the deer, dry the meat, and stretch the hides, but as yet required no duties of their prisoners. From Darby Plains, they passed up the trail to Pleasant valley, where they remained several weeks hunting and feasting on venison, bear meat and buffalo, without bread! From Pleasant Valley, they followed the trail to the head waters of the Scioto river. At this point one evening, they camped for the night, a short time before sun-down. For the first time the Indians desired young Alder to do some small duties. The white man told him to take-the brass kettle and bring some water from the creek. The creek was directly back on the trail they had come. From their departure from Darby Plains they marched to the north. Young Alder became quite uneasy, dreading the result. In consequence of these fears when he got to the creek, he dropped the kettle and ran up the hill about one hundred yards and crawled into a hollow tree. He was then about two hundred yards from the camp, and could see all that was going on. He watched to see what they would do, and concluded if they made no disturbance, he would take the back track and make his escape. he had not been in the tree long when they jumped up and ran toward the place of his concealment. The white man looked in the direction of the hollow tree and called him twice. Believing he was discovered, he came out, returned to the creek, picked up the kettle, and carried water to the camp. Upon his return, the white man requested to know why he had stayed so long. In some confusion, young Alder stated that he was detained by nothing. The white man said he knew better, it was has intention to run away. He then said to him that would never do, for it was a long way from there to his home - and all the way through the woods, and if he escaped from his captors, he would starve to death, or be drowned in the rivers he had to cross, or if he escaped these, the wolves and bears would catch and eat him. He urged him to be contented and obedient, and he would soon be at the end of his journey. There was nothing to fear, and he would be used well. These assurances, somewhat removed his fears and changed his purposes. After supper they went to bed but young Alder could not sleep. He reflected over what the white man had said, and though he had but little confidence in him, he believed he had certainly told the truth about perishing if he escaped. After a great many tears, as on former nights, he slumbered and slept until the next morning. Upon awakening he resolved to abandon all further attempts at escape and fully resign himself to his fate, but with the hope, that in some way, he might be permitted to get back to his mother. His only desire now, was, to be permitted to live with the Indians, and that was a bitter choice. He felt that if he escaped the Indians would follow, overtake, and severely punish him. These reflections filled him with grief, sometimes to such an extent, that he cried to give utterance to his sorrow, and obtain relief from mental anguish.
From this encampment, they moved on slowly from day to day, nothing of note occurring, until they came within two day's journey of the Mingo Village on Mad River, and halted. Five Indians went on to the village to give notice of the approach of the Shawnee that arrangements might be made for the proper reception of the prisoners, after the Indian manner and custom. Here young Alder was informed that when they reached the village he would have to run the gauntlet. After a halt of two days they started again and reached the village on the afternoon of the second day. During the second day quite a number of Indians came out to meet the Shawnee warriors, and take a look at the prisoners. They arrived in sight of the village about three o'clock in the afternoon, and halted. Preparation was at once commenced for young Alder to run the gauntlet. The Indians selected a clear, smooth piece of ground about four hundred yards from the village.
To