The following was found in the Louisville Herald dated Feb. 4,
1923, and concerns the 1787 Bean Station Massacre:
"The English family was living near Bean Station, North
Carolina (now Tennessee) when they were captured by a band of Cherokee Indians.
The family consisted of the father (William), mother (Catherine), one son,
Matthew, age 7, Elizabeth, age 4, & an infant daughter (Jane). After
murdering of the father in the presence of the mother & children, the
Indians disbanded; one tribe taking the mother and infant daughter, and the
other tribe taking Matthew & Elizabeth. The mother & infant daughter
were returned to the white people, some men who were friends of the family
having given the Indians two quarts of whisky for their return. Matthew, who
was a strong lad, escaped and returned to the white settlement, but his sister,
who was younger & less experienced, remained with the Indians."
Elizabeth remained with the Indians for 7 years. The Cherokee
traded her to a Choctow Indian chief who "adopted" her as his own
child. Major John Harbison searched for Elizabeth in hopes of obtaining her
release & winning Catherine's hand in marriage. He located her near
Detroit, with the help of Matthew they were able to rescue her. At this time
she had lost all knowledge of the English language & spoke the Indian
language fluently. She was very reluctant to go with them. In 1789, Catherine
married John Harbison, she died on May 19, 1806 in Harrison Co, Indiana &
was buried on their farm in Harrison county.
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