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History of the Early Settlement of the Juniata Valley: Embracing an Account of the Early Pioneers, and the Trials and Privations Incident to the Settlement of the Valley, Predatory Incursions, Massacres, and Abductions by the Indians During the French and Indian Wars, and the War of the Revolution, &c.Jones, U. J. (Uriah James)

History

History of the Early Settlement of the Juniata Valley: Embracing an Account of the Early Pioneers, and the Trials and Privations Incident to the Settlement of the Valley, Predatory Incursions, Massacres, and Abductions by the Indians During the French and Indian Wars, and the War of the Revolution, &c.

Name: History of the Early Settlement of the Juniata Valley: Embracing an Account of the Early Pioneers, and the Trials and Privations Incident to the Settlement of the Valley, Predatory Incursions, Massacres, and Abductions by the Indians During the French and Indian Wars, and the War of the Revolution, &c.
Author: Jones, U. J. (Uriah James)

Jones, U. J. (Uriah James)

Frontier and pioneer life -- Pennsylvania -- Juniata River Valley; Indians of North America -- Pennsylvania -- Juniata River Valley; Juniata River Valley (Pa.) -- Genealogy; Juniata River Valley (Pa.) -- History

It is said of old Tommy Coleman--but with what degree of truth we are
unable to say--that, about twenty years ago, hearing of a delegation of
Indians on their way to Washington, he shouldered his trusty old rifle,
and went to Hollidaysburg. There, hearing that they had gone east on
the canal packet, he followed them some three miles down the
towing-path, for the express purpose of having a crack at one of them.
This story--which obtained currency at the time, and is believed by
many to this day--was probably put into circulation by some one who
knew his inveterate hatred of Indians. An acquaintance of his informs
us that he had business in town on the day on which the Indians passed
through; hence his appearance there. His gun he always carried with
him, even on a visit to a near neighbor. That he inquired about the
Indians is true; but it was merely out of an anxiety to see whether
they looked as they did in days of yore. His business led him to
Frankstown, but that business was not to shoot Indians; for, if he
still cherished any hatred toward the race, he had better sense than to
show it on such an occasion.

He died at his residence, of old age, about fifteen years ago, beloved
and respected by all. Peace to his ashes!

[Illustration: ARCH SPRING.]




CHAPTER XX.

SINKING VALLEY--THE LEAD MINES--FORT ROBERDEAU--INDIAN MURDER, AND
HEROIC CONDUCT OF A WOMAN--ENCOUNTER WITH A SAVAGE--MURDER OF ROLLER
AND BEBAULT, ETC.


One of the most prominent points in Pennsylvania, during the
Revolution, was Sinking Valley, owing, in a great measure, to the fact
that it had a fort, under military discipline,--where the sentry
marched upon ramparts, where the reveille aroused the inmates at the
dawn of day, and where people felt secure in the immediate presence of
muskets with bristling bayonets, a pair of cannon, and an abundance of
ammunition, and where, for a long time, the greater part of the lead
used by the Continental army was procured.

There is every reason to believe that the lead mines of Sinking Valley
were known to the French as early as 1750. Although they searched
extensively for minerals, it is not probable that they ventured as far
into the Penn lands as Sinking Valley, unless the secret of the
existence of the mines had been imparted to them by the Indians.

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