Historical collections of the State of Pennsylvania

Mr. Cornelius Van Horn has been named as one of the early pioneers.
He is still (1843) enjoying a quiet old age, on the farm, near Meadville,
earned and cleared by the toils and exposures of his youth. The follow-
ing story of his adventures was derived by the compiler of this work, in
conversation with a member of Mr. Van Horn’s family:-
Mr. Cornelius Van Horn had been a settler in Wyoming valley under the Pennsylvania title,
and relinquished his possessions there under the compromise, receiving compensation from the
state. In 1788, he was persuaded by David Mead, (who had also been a Pennamite,) to make
one of a party of nine to come out and settle in Crawford co. They took the route from Bald
Eagle, in Centre co., over the Allegheny mountains, nearly on the route of the present turnpike;
struck the mouth of French cr., and thence followed it up until they discovered the beautiful flat
upon which Meadville is now seated. They here selected their lends, and entered upon their la-
bers. Until 1791, nothing of special importance occurred, except that one day, as he was return-
ing from Pittsburg with pack-horses, he was overtaken by an Indian near a lonely swamp: but
he proved to be friendly. His name was McKee; and from this friendly interview and exchange
of provisions, courtesies, &c., commenced an acquaintance, which was afterwards probably the
means of saving Van Horn's life.
In the month of May 1791, Mr. Van Horn, Thomas Ray, end Mr. Gregg, were ploughing on
the island opposite town. Gregg and Ray had gone in to fetch the dinner. when Van
Horn, who continued ploughing, observed his horses take fright, and turning suddenly he saw a
tell Indian shout to strike him with his tomahawk, and another just behind. As quick as thought
be seized the descending arm. and grappled with the Indian. hugging him miter the manner of a
bear. While in this close embrace. the other Indian attempted to shoot Van Horn; but the lat-
ter, who was no novice in frontier tactics, kept turning round the Indian in his arms so as to
present a shield against the bullet---And thus gained time enough to parley for his life.
No home-spun diplomacy was practiced in this treaty: a few words of broken Indian on one
side, and broken English on the other, resulted in a capitulation, by which he was to be taken
prisoner, together with his horses. He was pinioned and taken to the top of the hill above the
college, where they met the old chief and a fourth Indian. Alter some parley, the chief mounted
one of the horses and the prisoner the other, and pursued their way towards Conneaut lake;
while the three other Indians returned to the island for further adventures. Greg and Ray had
just returned to their work, and were deliberating over the meaning of the tracks in the field,
when they descried the three Indians. Gregg took to his heels, Ray calling to him to stand
his ground like a man; but he was pursued, killed, and scalped. Ray was taken prisoner.
The old chief had tied Van Hom by a thong to a tree in a sitting posture, with his arms be.
hind him; but the thong working' a little loose, the chief pulled it obliquely up the tree to tighten
it, and laid himself down in the bushes to sleep. Van Horn, by raising himself loosened
the thong enough to allow him to get a small knife out of his cuff--(he had previously, to con-
ciliate his good-will and allay suspicion, presented the chief with his jackknife, powder, flints,
tobacco, &c.) -and cut himself loose from the tree, but could not unlpinion his arms. He
made his way back to the settlement, where ha found an officer from Fort Franklin, who or-
dered the whole colony to repair for safety to that place, lest there might be a larger force of
Indians in the vicinity than had yet appeared. Van Horn pleaded hard for permission to re-
main, and learn the fate of Ray and Gregg; and as the officer’s horse had been lost, he was al-
lowed to remain if he could get another to remain with him. A friendly Indian, by the name
of Gilloway, agreed to remain; and for some other reason it was thought necessary (this was
to catch the horse) that another friendly Indian, McKee, should remain also. They found the
horse; and taking some bear-skins, furs, &c. in the canoe, embarked for Franklin. Gilloway,
as he was the least of the two, volunteered to ride the horse, while the others went in the ca-
noe; but he rode the horse a little too far, and in the wrong direction, not being heard of a
until he had been seen at Sandusky. Van Horn afterwards had reason to think that Gillo-
way had remained behind to murder him, but that his plan had been frustrated by the deter-
mination of McKee to stay also; and he then stole the horse.
Van Horn and McKee determined to return from Franklin; and by way of getting an early
start, to lodge in a deserted cabin, a mile or two this side of Franklin. The commanding officer
urged in vain the danger of a surprise and attack from savages. Van Horn and his comrade
thought themselves competent to the defense of their position. In the night, however, the
nicer! and soldiers of the garrison determined to make good their surmises, and have a
little fun, by raising a whoop, and surrounding the cabin where Van Horn lay. The latter,
hearing the noise, was on the alert; and while the soldiers were listening at the door, they
heard Van Horn make arrangements with his comrade that he should stand by to haul
than into the cabin. while he cut them down at the door with an axe. This was a hind
of eport for which the pay was not prepared, and they withdrew, laughing at the frustration of
their own scheme. Van Horn soon alter went to Jersey to attend to his Wyoming business, and
then returned. Some few parties of Indians skulked about until alter Wayne's treaty, when
they all disappeared.
When the three Indians with Ray had arrived at Conneaut lake, and waked up the old chief,
and found his gone, they told Ray that it was fortunate for him, as they could have taken
only one prisoner away with them. -They took him to Sandusky, where he recognized an Eng-
lish trader, who bought him off for a keg of whiskey. He returned by the lake to Olean, and
thence down the Allegheny. On passing Franklin he inquired of those on shore for his "Sally,"
and being told she was in Pittsburg, pursued his way down there, where he found her.

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