ingum, was ceded to the
United States.[2] In this interval of time, North Western Virginia
enjoyed almost uninterrupted repose. There was indeed an alarm of
Indians, on Simpson's creek in 1783, but it soon subsided; and the
circumstance which gave rise to it (the discharge of a gun at Major
Power) was generally attributed to a white man.

In 1784, the settlement towards the head of West Fork, suffered
somewhat from savage invasion. A party of Indians came to the house of
Henry Flesher, (where the town of Weston now is) and fired at the old
gentleman, as he was returning from the labors of the field. The gun
discharged at him, had been loaded with two balls, and both taking
effect, crippled his arm a good deal. Two savages immediately ran
towards him; and he, towards the door; and just as he was in the act
of entering it, one of them had approached so closely as to strike at
him with the butt end of his gun. The breech came first in contact
with the facing of the door, and descending on his head, seemed to
throw him forward into the house, and his wife closing the door, no
attempt was made by the savages to force it open. Still, however, they
did not feel secure; and as soon as they became assured that the
savages were withdrawn, they left the house and sought security
elsewhere. Most of the family lay in the woods during the night,--one
young woman succeeded in finding the way to Hacker's creek, from
whence Thomas Hughes immediately departed to find the others. This was
effected early next morning, and all were safely escorted to that
settlement.

[272] The foregoing event happened in September, and in a few days
after, as Daniel Radcliff was proceeding to the Brushy Fork of Elk
creek on a hunting expedition, he was shot (probably by the Indians
who had been at Flesher's,) tomahawked and scalped in a shocking
manner.

In 1785, six Indians came to Bingamon creek, (a branch of the West
Fork) and made their appearance upon a farm occupied by Thomas and
Edward Cunningham. At this time the two brothers were dwelling with
their families in separate houses, but nearly adjoining, though not in
a direct line with each other. Thomas was then on a trading visit east
of the mountain, and his wife and four children were collected in
their room for the purpose of eating dinner, as was Edward with his
family, in their house. Suddenly a lusty savage entered where were
Mrs. Thomas Cunningham and her children, but seeing that he woul