they were
deterred from the undertaking by the report that a company of
travellers, stronger than theirs would be, had been encountered by the
Indians, and all either killed or made prisoners. Soon after another
party resolved on a visit to Virginia, and Mrs. Cunningham was
furnished a horse belonging to a gentleman on Holstein (which had
escaped from him while on a buffalo hunt in Kentucky and was found
after his return,) to carry her that far on her way home. Experiencing
the many unpleasant circumstances incident to such a jaunt, she
reached Holstein, and from thence, after a repose of a few days,
keeping up the Valley of Virginia, she proceeded by the way of
Shenandoah, to the county of Harrison.[9] Here she was sadly
disappointed in not meeting with her husband. Having understood that
she had been ransomed and taken to Kentucky, he had, some time before,
gone on in quest of her. Anxiety for his fate, alone and on a journey
which she well knew to be fraught with many dangers, she could not
cheerily partake of the general joy excited by her return. In a few
days however, he came back. He had heard on Holstein of her having
passed there and he retraced his steps. Arriving at his brother
Edward's, he again enjoyed the satisfaction of being with all that was
then dear to him on earth. It was a delightful satisfaction, but
presently damped by the recollection of [277] the fate of his luckless
children--Time assuaged the bitterness of the recollection and blessed
him with other and more fortunate children.[10]

In October 1784, a party of Indians ascended Sandy river and passing
over to the head of Clynch, came to the settlement near where Tazewell
court house is now located. Going first to the house of a Mr.
Davisson, they killed him and his wife; and setting fire to their
dwelling, proceeded towards the residence of James Moore, sr. On their
way they met Moore salting his horses at a _lick trough_ in the woods,
and killed him. They then went to the house and captured Mrs. Moore
and her seven children, and Sally Ivens, a young lady who was there
on a visit. Fearing detection, they immediately departed for Ohio with
the prisoners; and in order to expedite their retreat, killed John
Moore, jr. and the three younger children.

Upon their arrival at the Shawanee town on the Scioto (near the mouth
of Paint creek) a council was held, and it was resolved that two of
the captives should be _burned alive_, to avenge the death