From accounts upon which to be relied, it was to Grenadier Squawtown that Slover, who was taken prisoner at Crawford's defeat in 1782, was brought to suffer a similar death to that which Crawford, his commander, had undergone a few days before, but from which, through Providential aid, he was relieved and enabled to make his escape. The circumstances of his escape have been previously published; but as they seem to be inseparably connected with the history of this spot, I hope to be excused for repeating them here. After his capture on his way, he had been very much abused at the different towns through which he passed, beaten with clubs, etc. On his arrival here, he had a similar punishment to undergo. A council was held over him and he was doomed to die the death that Crawford had suffered. The day was appointed for the consummation of the horrid deed, and its morning dawned without any unpropitious appearances to mar the anticipated enjoyments of the natives collected from the neighboring towns to witness the scene.

At the appointed time, Slover was led forth, stripped naked, tied to the fatal stake and the fire kindled around him. Just as his tormentors were about to commence the torture, it seemed that the Great Spirit looked down and said "No! This horrid deed shall not be done!" Immediately the heavens were overcast; the forked lightnings in all directions flew; in mighty peals the thunder rolled and seemed to shake the earth to its center; the rain in copious torrents fell and quenched the threatening flames before they had done the victim much injury; continuing to a late hour. The natives stood dumbfounded - somewhat fearing that the Great Spirit was not pleased with what they were about to do. But had they been ever so much inclined, there was not time left that evening to carry out their usual savage observances. Slover was therefore taken from the stake and conducted to an empty house, to an upper log of which he was fastened by a buggalo-tug tied around his neck, and his arms were pinioned behind him by a cord. Two warriors were set over him as a guard to prevent his escape in the night.

Here again Providence seemed to interfere in favor of Slover, by causing a restless sleep to come over his guard. Until a late hour the Natives sat up, smoking their pipes and talking to Slover - using all their ingenuity to tantalize him, asking "How would he like to eat fire", etc. At length one of them lay down and soon fell asleep. The other continued smoking and talking to Slover some time. After midnight, a deep sleep came upon him. He also lay down, and soon thought of nothing save in dreams of the anticipated pleasure to be enjoyed in torturing their prisioner next day. Slover then resolved to make an effort to get loose, and soon extricated one of his hands from the cords. He then tried to unloose the tug around his neck, but without effect. he had not long been thus engaged before one of the natives got up and smoked his pipe. While he was thus engaged Slover kept very still for fear of discovery; but the native being overcome again with sleep, again lay down. Slover then renewed his exertions, but for some time without effect, and he resigned himself to his fate. After resting a while, however, he resolved to make another and a last effort. He put his hand again to the tug, and, as he related, he slipped it over his head without difficulty. He then got out of the house as quietly as possible and sprang over a fence into a cornfield.

While passing through the field he came near running over a squaw and her children, who were sleeping under a tree. To avoid discovery he deviated from a straight track and rapidly hurried to the upper plain, where, as he had expected, he found a number of horses grazing. Day was then fairly breaking. He untied the cord from the other arm, which by this time was very much swelled. Selecting, as he thought, the best horse he could see, he made a bridle of the cord, mounted, and rode off at full speed. About ten o'clock, the horse gave out. Slover then had to travel on foot with all possible speed; and between mosquitoes, nettles, brush, briars, thorns, etc., by the time he got home he had more the appearance of a mass of raw flesh than an animated being.

 

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Historical Collections of Ohio in Two Volumes
Henry Howe, LL.D.
C.J.Krehbiel & Co., Printers and Binders, Cincinnati OH
(© 1888, Henry Howe)