Daily stories of Pennsylvania : $b prepared for publication in the leading daily newspapers of the state...Godcharles, Frederic Antes
History
Daily stories of Pennsylvania : $b prepared for publication in the leading daily newspapers of the state...
Godcharles, Frederic Antes
Pennsylvania -- Biography; Pennsylvania -- History
Lycans and his neighbors were subsequently released by order of Governor
Hamilton. Andrew Lycans removed with his family to the east side of the
Susquehanna, beyond the Kittochtinny Mountains, and by permission of the
authorities “settled on a tract of about 200 acres situated on the
northerly side of Whiconesong Creek.” Here he made extensive
improvements.
Until the spring of 1756 these pioneers were not disturbed, but
following the defeat of General Braddock, everywhere along the frontier
the savages began their work of devastation and death.
On March 7, 1756, Andrew Lycans and John Rewalt went out early to feed
their cattle, when they were suddenly startled by the report of two
rifles. Neither of them being harmed, they were able to reach the house,
where they prepared themselves for defense in case of an attack.
The Indians concealed themselves behind a hog-house not far from the
dwelling. John Lycans, a son of Andrew; John Rewalt and Ludwig Shutt, a
neighbor, crept out of the house in an effort to discover the
whereabouts of the savages and get a shot at them, but they were fired
upon by five Indians and each one wounded, Shutt receiving a dangerous
wound in the abdomen.
At this moment Andrew Lycans discovered one of the Indians named Joshua
James near the hog-house and also two white men running away from their
hiding place. Lycans fired and killed James.
Lycans and his party in the house believed this a favorable opportunity
for escape and started from the dwelling, but they were observed and
closely pursued by a score of the enemy.
John Lycans and John Rewalt were too badly wounded to put up much
resistance, but with the aid of a Negro servant they escaped, leaving
Andrew Lycans, Ludwig Shutt and a boy to engage the Indians.
The savages rushed in upon them, and one Indian in the act of striking
the boy with his tomahawk was shot dead by Shutt, while Lycans killed
another and wounded a third Indian.
The Indian killed by Shutt was named Bill Davis. Two others recognized
by Lycans were Tom Hickman and Tom Hayes, all of the Delaware tribe, and
well known in that neighborhood.
This upset in the plan of attack caused the Indians to momentarily cease
their pursuit and Lycans, Shutt and the lad, being exhausted from loss
of blood, sat down on a log to rest themselves, believing they were no
longer in danger. The Indians stood some distance off to keep them in
view, but in spite of this caution, Lycans managed to lead his little
party to a place of safe concealment and later over the mountain into
Hanover Township, where neighbors gave them assistance; but Andrew
Lycans died from his injuries and exposure.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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