HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
One Delavergne was the first hatter, and is said to have been well patronized.
Cocked, or three cornered hats were then the tip of fashion.
To see an exquisite of the present, dressed in the costume of that day, with hair long-cramped before, and terminating at the neck in a braided cue, or if not braided, wound with black ribbon or an eel-skin, the whole head being finely powdered and surmounted with a cocked hat; with a blanket coat on, of no ordinary dimensions, ornamented with various kind of buttons; breeches of deer-skin, too tight for comfort, and kept up without braces by a tight band above the hips, allowing the nether garment to appear between them and the vest, and fastened at the knee with large bright buckles to a pair of striped silk hose; the whole of the fabric described, resting upon a pair of pedestals cased in pen-knife pointed shoes clasped with daring buckles; the hero with a pipe in his mouth, the bowl as large as a tea-cup -- would be worth far more to the spectator, than to visit a menagery and see half a dozen country girls mounted upon the back of an elephant, or a fool-hardy keeper enter a cage with the most ferocious animals.
Fish are said to have been very plenty formerly in most of the streams in Schoharie county.
For many years after the Revolution, trout were numerous in Foxes creek, where now there are few, if any at all.
From a combination of causes, fish are now becoming scarce throughout the county.
In many small streams, they have been nearly or quite exterminated by throwing in lime.
This cruel system of taking the larger, destroys with more certainty all the smaller fish.
Such a mode of fishing cannot be too severely censured.
The accumulation of dams on the larger streams, proves unfavorable to their multiplication.
Fine pike are now occasionally caught in the Schoharie, as are also suckers and eels.
Some eighty years ago, a mess of fish could have been taken, in any mill-stream in the county, in a few minutes.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
Wild animals of almost every kind found in the same climate, were numerous in and about Schoharie, for a great length of time after the whites arrived.
Bears and wolves, the more gregarious kinds, often appeared in droves numbering scores, and in some instances, hundreds; and were to the pioneer a source of constant anxiety and alarm.
Deer, which were then very numerous, the mountainous parts affording them, as all other animals, a safe retreat, are still killed some winters in considerable numbers, in the south part of the county.
But few incidents, worthy of notice, relating to wild animals, have come to my knowledge.
One of the first German settlers was killed by a bear, between the residence of the late Cyrus Swart (near the stone church) and the hill east of it.
He had wounded the animal with a gun, when it turned upon, and literally tore him in pieces.
The Indians hunted them for food, and not unfrequently had an encounter with them.
Nicholas Warner assured the author, that when a boy, he saw an Indian, called Bellow, returning from a hunt, holding in his own bowels with his hands.
He had, after wounding a large bear, met it in personal combat, and although so terribly lacerated he slew it.
Jacob Becker informed me, that there was an Indian about Foxes creek in his younger days, called The-bear-catcher, who received his name from the following circumstances.
He was hunting -- treed a large bear and fired upon it.
The beast fell and a personal encounter ensued.
The Indian, in the contest, seized with an iron grasp the lower jaw of Bruin, and a back-hug was the consequence.
He succeeded in holding his adversary so firmly that the latter could not draw his paws between their bodies.
Bruin had, however, in the outset, succeeded in drawing one of them obliquely across the breast of the red man, scarifying it in a fearful manner.
While thus situated, holding his adversary at bay, he called to a son, who was hunting in the woods not far off, for his assistance.
The latter repaired hastily to the spot, and although he might at times have approved of a fair fight, in the present instance paternal affection demanded his immediate interference.
Placing the muzzle of his rifle between the extended jaws of the bear, he discharged it, to the great relief of his father, who had been so affectionately embraced.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
Wild animals of almost every kind found in the same climate, were numerous in and about Schoharie, for a great length of time after the whites arrived.
Bears and wolves, the more gregarious kinds, often appeared in droves numbering scores, and in some instances, hundreds; and were to the pioneer a source of constant anxiety and alarm.
Deer, which were then very numerous, the mountainous parts affording them, as all other animals, a safe retreat, are still killed some winters in considerable numbers, in the south part of the county.
But few incidents, worthy of notice, relating to wild animals, have come to my knowledge.
One of the first German settlers was killed by a bear, between the residence of the late Cyrus Swart (near the stone church) and the hill east of it.
He had wounded the animal with a gun, when it turned upon, and literally tore him in pieces.
The Indians hunted them for food, and not unfrequently had an encounter with them.
Nicholas Warner assured the author, that when a boy, he saw an Indian, called Bellow, returning from a hunt, holding in his own bowels with his hands.
He had, after wounding a large bear, met it in personal combat, and although so terribly lacerated he slew it.
Jacob Becker informed me, that there was an Indian about Foxes creek in his younger days, called The-bear-catcher, who received his name from the following circumstances.
He was hunting -- treed a large bear and fired upon it.
The beast fell and a personal encounter ensued.
The Indian, in the contest, seized with an iron grasp the lower jaw of Bruin, and a back-hug was the consequence.
He succeeded in holding his adversary so firmly that the latter could not draw his paws between their bodies.
Bruin had, however, in the outset, succeeded in drawing one of them obliquely across the breast of the red man, scarifying it in a fearful manner.
While thus situated, holding his adversary at bay, he called to a son, who was hunting in the woods not far off, for his assistance.
The latter repaired hastily to the spot, and although he might at times have approved of a fair fight, in the present instance paternal affection demanded his immediate interference.
Placing the muzzle of his rifle between the extended jaws of the bear, he discharged it, to the great relief of his father, who had been so affectionately embraced.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
The following adventure was related by Andrew Loucks.
One Warner, who was among the first settlers at Punch-kill, went out towards evening to seek his cows.
He met in his path a large bear, having cubs, which instantly pursued him.
He ran for safety behind a large tree; round which himself and madam Bruin played bo-peep for some time -- neither gaining any advantage.
At length Warner seized a hemlock knot, and with it, Sampson like, slew his shaggy pursuer.
The following story was also told me by Jacob Becker, the scene in which is said to have been enacted near Foxes creek.
John Shaeffer and George Schell went hunting.
Shaeffer had a dog which treed a bear, and he being near at the time, instantly fired upon it.
Bruin fell, though not passively to yield life.
The dog attacked him, but was so lovingly hugged, that his eyes seemed starting from their sockets, and he cried piteously.
Shaeffer thought too much of his canine friend to see him fall a victim to such affection, and endeavored to loosen one of the bear's paws: but as he seized it, it was relaxed and quicker than thought thrown round again, so as to include in the embrace his own arm.
Shaeffer might as easily have withdrawn his hand from a vise.
When he found he had caught a tartar, or, rather, that the bear had, he hallooed like a loon for his companion to come to his assistance and reach him his tomahawk.
Many of the white hunters, in former times, were as careful to wear tomahawks as their Indian neighbors.
The missile was handed very cautiously at arms' length and Shaeffer buried the blade of it in the brains of his game, to the relief of his other arm and the resuscitation of the dog.
Bruin, as may be supposed, did not relish the interference of the master, when he was evincing so much of the world's genuine love for Carlo.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
The following adventure was related by Andrew Loucks.
One Warner, who was among the first settlers at Punch-kill, went out towards evening to seek his cows.
He met in his path a large bear, having cubs, which instantly pursued him.
He ran for safety behind a large tree; round which himself and madam Bruin played bo-peep for some time -- neither gaining any advantage.
At length Warner seized a hemlock knot, and with it, Sampson like, slew his shaggy pursuer.
The following story was also told me by Jacob Becker, the scene in which is said to have been enacted near Foxes creek.
John Shaeffer and George Schell went hunting.
Shaeffer had a dog which treed a bear, and he being near at the time, instantly fired upon it.
Bruin fell, though not passively to yield life.
The dog attacked him, but was so lovingly hugged, that his eyes seemed starting from their sockets, and he cried piteously.
Shaeffer thought too much of his canine friend to see him fall a victim to such affection, and endeavored to loosen one of the bear's paws: but as he seized it, it was relaxed and quicker than thought thrown round again, so as to include in the embrace his own arm.
Shaeffer might as easily have withdrawn his hand from a vise.
When he found he had caught a tartar, or, rather, that the bear had, he hallooed like a loon for his companion to come to his assistance and reach him his tomahawk.
Many of the white hunters, in former times, were as careful to wear tomahawks as their Indian neighbors.
The missile was handed very cautiously at arms' length and Shaeffer buried the blade of it in the brains of his game, to the relief of his other arm and the resuscitation of the dog.
Bruin, as may be supposed, did not relish the interference of the master, when he was evincing so much of the world's genuine love for Carlo.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
The three most prominent hills east of Middleburgh village, are called the Fire-berg, the Amos-berg, and the Clipper-berg.
The first named is the most southern, and took its name (as Geo. Warner informed the author) from the following circumstance.
A tar barrel having been raised to the top of a tall tree on that hill, it was, at a particular hour of a certain night, set on fire, to ascertain if the light could be seen from the residence of Sir William Johnson, in Johnstown, at whose instigation it was done.
Whether it was seen there or not, tradition does not inform us, but the circumstance was sufficient to originate a name for the hill.
Amos-berg, the next one north, signifies the ant-hill, or hill of ants; it having been, in former times, literally covered with those insect mounds.
Clipper-berg, directly north of Amos-berg, signifies the rocky-hill, or hill scantily covered with vegetation.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
The three most prominent hills east of Middleburgh village, are called the Fire-berg, the Amos-berg, and the Clipper-berg.
The first named is the most southern, and took its name (as Geo. Warner informed the author) from the following circumstance.
A tar barrel having been raised to the top of a tall tree on that hill, it was, at a particular hour of a certain night, set on fire, to ascertain if the light could be seen from the residence of Sir William Johnson, in Johnstown, at whose instigation it was done.
Whether it was seen there or not, tradition does not inform us, but the circumstance was sufficient to originate a name for the hill.
Amos-berg, the next one north, signifies the ant-hill, or hill of ants; it having been, in former times, literally covered with those insect mounds.
Clipper-berg, directly north of Amos-berg, signifies the rocky-hill, or hill scantily covered with vegetation.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
The following story was related to me by Maria Teabout.
She with several other individuals was on the Fire-berg before the revolution, when a loud scream like that of a child was heard some distance off, to which she made answer by a similar one.
She was told by the men to keep still, that it was a painter, and by answering it they would be in great danger.
"A painter!" she exclaimed, "what then is a painter?"
Being young and heedless, she continued to answer its cries, until her companions, alarmed for their own safety, had taken to flight, and she found herself alone.
As she was part native she felt little fear, until the near approach of the animal struck terror upon her mind.
She had not time enough left her to secure a safe retreat, but instantly concealed herself in a hollow tree.
The animal approached so near that she saw it form her concealment, but as that did not see her, it went back to the direction for whence it came.
In the meantime, those who had fled on the panther's approach, went home and reported Maria as slain in an awful manner.
A party, consisting of Col. Zielie, with half a dozen of his neighbors, and a few Indians, all mounted on horseback and armed with guns, set out to seek and bring whatever of Maria might be left, after the panther had satiated his appetite.
Leaving their horses near the entrance, they went into the woods and began to call to her.
She heard the voice of Col. Zielie, and came out from her hiding place.
The Indians then declared they would soon have the panther.
After fixing a blanket on a tree so as to present a tolerable effigy of one of their party, they all fell back and concealed themselves behind trees.
An Indian then began to call, and was soon answered by the animal, which approached stealthily.
When it came in sight, it fixed its eye on the effigy, and crawling alone with the stillness of a cat, it approached within a few paces, from whence, after moving its tail briskly for a few seconds, it bounded upon it with the speed of an arrow.
In an instant the blanket was torn into strings, and as the disappointed animal stood lashing its sides furiously with its tail, looking for the cause of the voice, (panthers having no knowledge of belief in ghosts) and its deception, a volley of rifle balls laid it dead on the spot.
The skin was taken off, and some slices of the critter, as Natty Bumpo would call it, were taken home by several of the Indians to broil.
Thus ended the panther, and thus didn't end my informant.
Few panthers have been killed in the county since the remembrance of any one living in it.
One of the last was shot near the residence of John Enders, on Foxes creek.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
The following story was related to me by Maria Teabout.
She with several other individuals was on the Fire-berg before the revolution, when a loud scream like that of a child was heard some distance off, to which she made answer by a similar one.
She was told by the men to keep still, that it was a painter, and by answering it they would be in great danger.
"A painter!" she exclaimed, "what then is a painter?"
Being young and heedless, she continued to answer its cries, until her companions, alarmed for their own safety, had taken to flight, and she found herself alone.
As she was part native she felt little fear, until the near approach of the animal struck terror upon her mind.
She had not time enough left her to secure a safe retreat, but instantly concealed herself in a hollow tree.
The animal approached so near that she saw it form her concealment, but as that did not see her, it went back to the direction for whence it came.
In the meantime, those who had fled on the panther's approach, went home and reported Maria as slain in an awful manner.
A party, consisting of Col. Zielie, with half a dozen of his neighbors, and a few Indians, all mounted on horseback and armed with guns, set out to seek and bring whatever of Maria might be left, after the panther had satiated his appetite.
Leaving their horses near the entrance, they went into the woods and began to call to her.
She heard the voice of Col. Zielie, and came out from her hiding place.
The Indians then declared they would soon have the panther.
After fixing a blanket on a tree so as to present a tolerable effigy of one of their party, they all fell back and concealed themselves behind trees.
An Indian then began to call, and was soon answered by the animal, which approached stealthily.
When it came in sight, it fixed its eye on the effigy, and crawling alone with the stillness of a cat, it approached within a few paces, from whence, after moving its tail briskly for a few seconds, it bounded upon it with the speed of an arrow.
In an instant the blanket was torn into strings, and as the disappointed animal stood lashing its sides furiously with its tail, looking for the cause of the voice, (panthers having no knowledge of belief in ghosts) and its deception, a volley of rifle balls laid it dead on the spot.
The skin was taken off, and some slices of the critter, as Natty Bumpo would call it, were taken home by several of the Indians to broil.
Thus ended the panther, and thus didn't end my informant.
Few panthers have been killed in the county since the remembrance of any one living in it.
One of the last was shot near the residence of John Enders, on Foxes creek.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
The sagacious beaver was a resident of this county on the arrival of the Germans.
They were numerous along Foxes creek, and at a place called the Beaver-dam, on that stream, which is now in the town of Berne, Albany county, they had several strong dams.
Wild-cats were numerous in Schoharie formerly.
The following anecdote is related of old Doctor Moulter, a sort of physician who lived on Foxes creek, and flourished about the time of the Revolution.
He awoke one night from pleasant dreams, to hear an unusual noise among his setting geese.
Without waiting to dress, or seize upon any weapon, he ran out to learn the cause of alarm.
On arriving at the scene of action, although his prospect was yet sombre, he discovered the cause of disturbance in the appearance of an unwelcome animal, that was paying its devoirs to the comely neck of the mistress of a polluted bee-hive.
He ran up and seized it by the neck and hind legs, and although it struggled hard to regain its liberty, he succeeded in holding it until his boys, to whom he called for assistance, came and killed it.
The reader may judge his surprize as well as that of his family, when on taking it to the light, it proved to be a good sized wild-cat.
Had he caught hold of it otherwise than he did, it is highly probable that in his state of almost native nudity, he would have repented his grasp, if not lost his life.
Many anecdotes are told of this same Dr. Moulter.
When he located at Schoharie, he was afraid to ride on horseback, unless some one led his horse by the bridle.
Those who led his nag for him, grew tired of gratifying his whims, and would occasionally let go his reins, and leave him to shift for himself.
This kind of treatment soon taught the old Doctor the skill of horsemanship.
He is said to have doctored for witches, and promulged the superstitious doctrine of witchcraft.
Nor was he wanting in believers, as no dogmas, however doggish they may be, need much preaching to gain proselytes.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
The sagacious beaver was a resident of this county on the arrival of the Germans.
They were numerous along Foxes creek, and at a place called the Beaver-dam, on that stream, which is now in the town of Berne, Albany county, they had several strong dams.
Wild-cats were numerous in Schoharie formerly.
The following anecdote is related of old Doctor Moulter, a sort of physician who lived on Foxes creek, and flourished about the time of the Revolution.
He awoke one night from pleasant dreams, to hear an unusual noise among his setting geese.
Without waiting to dress, or seize upon any weapon, he ran out to learn the cause of alarm.
On arriving at the scene of action, although his prospect was yet sombre, he discovered the cause of disturbance in the appearance of an unwelcome animal, that was paying its devoirs to the comely neck of the mistress of a polluted bee-hive.
He ran up and seized it by the neck and hind legs, and although it struggled hard to regain its liberty, he succeeded in holding it until his boys, to whom he called for assistance, came and killed it.
The reader may judge his surprize as well as that of his family, when on taking it to the light, it proved to be a good sized wild-cat.
Had he caught hold of it otherwise than he did, it is highly probable that in his state of almost native nudity, he would have repented his grasp, if not lost his life.
Many anecdotes are told of this same Dr. Moulter.
When he located at Schoharie, he was afraid to ride on horseback, unless some one led his horse by the bridle.
Those who led his nag for him, grew tired of gratifying his whims, and would occasionally let go his reins, and leave him to shift for himself.
This kind of treatment soon taught the old Doctor the skill of horsemanship.
He is said to have doctored for witches, and promulged the superstitious doctrine of witchcraft.
Nor was he wanting in believers, as no dogmas, however doggish they may be, need much preaching to gain proselytes.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
Francis Otto, who is said to have established the first distillery in the county, (which was for cider-brandy, and stood perhaps half a mile east of the present site of the Court House) was also a kind of doctor.
In fact, he was one of that useful class, who can turn their hand to almost anything; being a brandy-maker, a doctor, a phlebotomist, a barber, a fortune-teller, etc., as occasion required.
He too, believed in witchcraft.
His death took place just before the Revolution, in the following manner.
He had spent the evening at the house of Ingold, where now stands the dwelling of John Ingold; and left there to go home, with bosom of his shirt, his general traveling store-house, filled with apples.
He may, to have kept off the chill of the evening, and increase his courage, tasted a potation of his own distilling, of which he was very fond.
On the following morning he was found in a bruised state, having fallen off the rocks not far from his own dwelling.
He was alive when found, but died soon after.
As he was much afraid of witches, and the like evil genii, it was confidently asserted and generally believed, that witches had thrown him off the rocks.
Thus ended the first distiller, poor Otto, of bewitching memory.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
Francis Otto, who is said to have established the first distillery in the county, (which was for cider-brandy, and stood perhaps half a mile east of the present site of the Court House) was also a kind of doctor.
In fact, he was one of that useful class, who can turn their hand to almost anything; being a brandy-maker, a doctor, a phlebotomist, a barber, a fortune-teller, etc., as occasion required.
He too, believed in witchcraft.
His death took place just before the Revolution, in the following manner.
He had spent the evening at the house of Ingold, where now stands the dwelling of John Ingold; and left there to go home, with bosom of his shirt, his general traveling store-house, filled with apples.
He may, to have kept off the chill of the evening, and increase his courage, tasted a potation of his own distilling, of which he was very fond.
On the following morning he was found in a bruised state, having fallen off the rocks not far from his own dwelling.
He was alive when found, but died soon after.
As he was much afraid of witches, and the like evil genii, it was confidently asserted and generally believed, that witches had thrown him off the rocks.
Thus ended the first distiller, poor Otto, of bewitching memory.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
Deer, it has been remarked, were numerous in and about Schoharie formerly.
Jacob Becker related the following story, which he had learned from his father.
An old Indian, who lived in Garlock's dorf, was very skillful in the use of the bow and arrow.
This Indian stationed himself one day, at a run-way the deer had on the north side of Foxes creek, not a great distance from Becker's mill.
It was at a place where there is a small stream of water descends from the hill, affording a kind of path from that to the flats below.
At this place this Indian was concealed, when a noble deer came leisurely down the declivity.
An arrow from his bow pierced the heart of the unsuspecting victim, when it bounded forward a few paces and fell dead.
Scarcely had he time to draw from his quiver an arrow, before another deer descended.
A second arrow sped, and a second bleeding victim lay stretched near its fellow.
Another and another descended to meet a similar fate, until six were, in quick succession, bleeding upon the ground.
There were times, when, like the one named, the arrow was as trusty as the rifle ball.
The distance must not be great, however, and the bow must be drawn by a skillful warrior.
The arrow giving no report to alarm the following deer, the Indian was enabled, by his masterly skill, to bring down six, when a single discharge from a rifle, would have sent the five hindmost deer, on the back track.
The arrow, however, would not tell upon a distant object like the rifle ball, and great muscular strength was required to send it, even at a short distance, to the heart of a bounding buck.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
Deer, it has been remarked, were numerous in and about Schoharie formerly.
Jacob Becker related the following story, which he had learned from his father.
An old Indian, who lived in Garlock's dorf, was very skillful in the use of the bow and arrow.
This Indian stationed himself one day, at a run-way the deer had on the north side of Foxes creek, not a great distance from Becker's mill.
It was at a place where there is a small stream of water descends from the hill, affording a kind of path from that to the flats below.
At this place this Indian was concealed, when a noble deer came leisurely down the declivity.
An arrow from his bow pierced the heart of the unsuspecting victim, when it bounded forward a few paces and fell dead.
Scarcely had he time to draw from his quiver an arrow, before another deer descended.
A second arrow sped, and a second bleeding victim lay stretched near its fellow.
Another and another descended to meet a similar fate, until six were, in quick succession, bleeding upon the ground.
There were times, when, like the one named, the arrow was as trusty as the rifle ball.
The distance must not be great, however, and the bow must be drawn by a skillful warrior.
The arrow giving no report to alarm the following deer, the Indian was enabled, by his masterly skill, to bring down six, when a single discharge from a rifle, would have sent the five hindmost deer, on the back track.
The arrow, however, would not tell upon a distant object like the rifle ball, and great muscular strength was required to send it, even at a short distance, to the heart of a bounding buck.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
Rattle-snakes were very numerous formerly, along the north side of Foxes creek, and the west side of the Schoharie.
Hundreds were often killed in a single day at either place.
Neighborhoods turned out in the spring about the time they came from their dens, in the latter part of April, or early part of May, to destroy them, and by thus waging war against them, they were nearly exterminated.
There are a few remaining now at both places.
It was not uncommon, in raising a sheaf of wheat from the ground, on the flats near the hills, which afford their favorite haunts, as early as the revolution, to find one or more of those venomous serpents under it.
They were but little dreaded then, especially by the Indians, for if they could get at the wound with their mouth, suction, with their other applications, generally saved the bitten.
The Indians, said Andrew Loucks, rubbed their legs with certain roots, to avoid being bitten by rattle-snakes, and made use of several kinds of roots and plants, in effecting a cure for the bite of those reptiles.
The knowledge they had of botany, although limited, was of a practical nature, and enabled them not unfrequently to effect a cure, when a similar application of a scientific mineral compound, would have destroyed.
This country, undoubtedly, affords an herb for almost every disease of the climate, and more attention should be paid to the study and medical application of Botany.
Rattle-snakes diminish rapidly in numbers, if hogs are allowed to run where they infest.
They will eat them invariably, with the exception of the head, whenever they take them.
There are individuals, in fact, who eat those venomous reptiles, and pronounce them palatable.
The late Major Van Vechten, of Schoharie, formerly ate them, and at times invited his friends to the banquet.
On one occasion, he had several young gentlemen to partake with him, who, as I suppose, were either ambitious to be able to say they had eaten of a "sarpent," or desired to rattle a little as they went through the world.
Did they taste exceedingly flavorous, one would suppose the idea of eating a rattle-snake would sicken the eater, save in extreme cases of approaching starvation.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
Rattle-snakes were very numerous formerly, along the north side of Foxes creek, and the west side of the Schoharie.
Hundreds were often killed in a single day at either place.
Neighborhoods turned out in the spring about the time they came from their dens, in the latter part of April, or early part of May, to destroy them, and by thus waging war against them, they were nearly exterminated.
There are a few remaining now at both places.
It was not uncommon, in raising a sheaf of wheat from the ground, on the flats near the hills, which afford their favorite haunts, as early as the revolution, to find one or more of those venomous serpents under it.
They were but little dreaded then, especially by the Indians, for if they could get at the wound with their mouth, suction, with their other applications, generally saved the bitten.
The Indians, said Andrew Loucks, rubbed their legs with certain roots, to avoid being bitten by rattle-snakes, and made use of several kinds of roots and plants, in effecting a cure for the bite of those reptiles.
The knowledge they had of botany, although limited, was of a practical nature, and enabled them not unfrequently to effect a cure, when a similar application of a scientific mineral compound, would have destroyed.
This country, undoubtedly, affords an herb for almost every disease of the climate, and more attention should be paid to the study and medical application of Botany.
Rattle-snakes diminish rapidly in numbers, if hogs are allowed to run where they infest.
They will eat them invariably, with the exception of the head, whenever they take them.
There are individuals, in fact, who eat those venomous reptiles, and pronounce them palatable.
The late Major Van Vechten, of Schoharie, formerly ate them, and at times invited his friends to the banquet.
On one occasion, he had several young gentlemen to partake with him, who, as I suppose, were either ambitious to be able to say they had eaten of a "sarpent," or desired to rattle a little as they went through the world.
Did they taste exceedingly flavorous, one would suppose the idea of eating a rattle-snake would sicken the eater, save in extreme cases of approaching starvation.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
The following Indian custom was humorously told the author by George Warner.
When Cupid has destroyed the red man's peace of mind, he provides himself with a quantity of corn, and seeks the presence of the ruddy squaw.
He then commences snapping kernels at the coy maid he wishes to woo.
If she snaps them back, the contract is considered firmly made.
If she does not, the lover is led to conclude she "don't take," and leaves her presence somewhat mortified.
If matters proceed favorably and a contract is made, she takes off one garter, and after the marriage ceremony is performed, he probably takes off the other -- if, by the by, she has ever had any on.
The Schoharie Indians, says Brown, claimed the lands lying about Schoharie, and made some sales, but were interrupted in those transfers of lands by the Mohawks, who proved that the land given to Karighondontee's wife, at the time her husband settled, was to be no more than would be required to plant as much corn as a squaw could hold in her petticoat; which, he adds, would be reckoned about a skipple.
A squaw's petticoat neither has great length or breadth; but the reader will understand that the grain was carried in the garment in the manner of a sack.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
The following Indian custom was humorously told the author by George Warner.
When Cupid has destroyed the red man's peace of mind, he provides himself with a quantity of corn, and seeks the presence of the ruddy squaw.
He then commences snapping kernels at the coy maid he wishes to woo.
If she snaps them back, the contract is considered firmly made.
If she does not, the lover is led to conclude she "don't take," and leaves her presence somewhat mortified.
If matters proceed favorably and a contract is made, she takes off one garter, and after the marriage ceremony is performed, he probably takes off the other -- if, by the by, she has ever had any on.
The Schoharie Indians, says Brown, claimed the lands lying about Schoharie, and made some sales, but were interrupted in those transfers of lands by the Mohawks, who proved that the land given to Karighondontee's wife, at the time her husband settled, was to be no more than would be required to plant as much corn as a squaw could hold in her petticoat; which, he adds, would be reckoned about a skipple.
A squaw's petticoat neither has great length or breadth; but the reader will understand that the grain was carried in the garment in the manner of a sack.
TO BE CONTINUED ...