Seems as though every single thing on God’s green earth possesses a subtle, inescapable, somewhat droll sense of humor. Even the basic, rudimentary forces of nature herself have a way of laughing/poking fun at you when you least imagine or expect it... And if a lad (or in this case, several lads) be smart, they’ll learn to laugh right along with Ma Nature and/or everybody else.
The Historic Wolf Hills | John Curry | Muzzle Blasts Archives
“I first set foot in this Green River country in the spring of 1769. Jim Knox, from the Wolf Hills on the Holston, led a party of us into Kentucky to hunt. Folks called us the Long Hunters because we stayed gone such a time. The country was wilderness in those days. But few white men had ever seen it, and none had settled here.”
So begins an unassuming little book called “The Kentuckians”. The great Janice Holt Giles’ epic tale of a young longhunter’s amazing experiences during the late 1760’s in that vast, totally uninhabited expanse known as “the dark and bloody ground”. Lazy High School student that I was, I chose to read The Kentuckians under odious decree of a compulsory, English class, book report. Drat! My selection of this thoroughly astounding tome, owing mainly to its diminutive and insignificant size. Little did I know… Talk about lightning in a bottle! Hah! Right then and there began my irrepressible zeal for the saga of the longhunter which still holds me in its burly grip yet today.
Once anyone becomes seriously entangled amidst the bona fide history of true, classic longhunting; various intriguing references and allusions to this place called “the Wolf Hills” begin to pop up regularly. Arising from the most inauspicious, trifling parties you seldom ever hear about to the best known and most famous woodsmen of that age: “…Daniel Boone, accompanied by several hunters, visited the Holston and camped the first night in what is now known as Taylor’s Valley. On the succeeding day, they hunted down the South Fork of Holston river and traveled thence to what was known as the Wolf Hills, where they encamped the second night near where Black’s Fort was afterwards built. It is interesting to note at this point that Daniel Boone and his companions, immediately after nightfall, were troubled by the appearance of great numbers of wolves, which assailed their dogs with such fury that it was with great difficulty that the hunters succeeded in repelling their attacks and saving the lives of their dogs, a number of which were killed or badly crippled by the wolves. The wolves had their home in the cave that underlies the town of Abingdon. The entrance to this cave is upon the lot now occupied by the residence of Mr. James L. White.” 2 Yes… Actually, the huge entrance to the infamous Wolf Cave of so much extraordinary, longhunting lore, is now wholly contained within the backyard of a beautiful, Victorian house - located in central, downtown Abingdon!
For no more than were involved in this precarious, wild and woolly vocation; the Wolf Hills became a rather well known,
far-western landmark of its time. A sort of gathering point if you will, for longhunters headed west. Practically speaking, the stalwart pre-Revolutionary War era frontiersmen who took part in these lengthy, deepwoods ventures would in fact originate from all over the southern
and mid-Atlantic colonies. Renowned longhunting leader, Isaac Lindsay was from the
tiny settlement of Newbury in western South Carolina while his older brother, Thomas Lindsay lived in Pennsylvania. The illustrious James Harrod (an important longhunter in his own right) hailed from southern Pennsylvania as well. James Knox and Henry Skaggs were both from Virginia whereas the previously mentioned, larger-than-life, Daniel Boone owned a farm in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina. Usually rallying… joining forces under the guidance and direction of one or two experienced, highly competent men who would serve as a Captain of sorts. (And by the term “Captain”, I use that in its most vague and innocuous connotation.) The Wolf Hills of southwestern Virginia served as something of a pre-appointed, “meeting up” place where groups of professional hunters bound for the fabled, Can-tu-kee would assemble and mobilize in preparation to their impending departure.
Having no specifically appointed date, some might get there many days in advance, setting up their camp and waiting for their friends. Some might arrive shortly before - some arriving just in time to head out – with others not infrequently arriving a tad late and having
to track the company down just to catch up. The most common collection period being late spring, like May
or June, however companies of longhunters could find themselves encamped and lingering at the Wolf Hills in any month, during any season. . A general, basic date would be communicated amongst everyone connected with a particular longhunt, to present themselves there at the Wolf Hills with all the intended participants made aware of it. Typically, a comfortable amount of time would be allowed for each man to fully arm and equip himself, in addition to furnishing all the necessaries. This might encompass two or three pack horses plus his own mount, tack, powder, bar lead, trail gear, salt, a blanket or two, along with anything else he might think of: i.e. mittens, a mending box, spare flints, fishing kit, basic blacksmithing tools, etc. These obligatory essentials together with enough jerk, parched corn, coffee and sugar as he might see fit… At least enough to last until he finds himself surrounded by the unbroken forest and is able to hunt for victuals with his trusty firelock.
All this acquired, organized, packed up - and he’s ready to head out. Now repeated selection and usage of the Wolf Hills vicinity didn’t just happen by accident. All these groups of highly experienced woodsmen weren’t just stomping around in the wilderness and suddenly decided “hey, let’s set us up a camp and wait for everbody right here”. No, no. Merely arriving at this crucial place meant you’d already done your homework, received an invite, knew what you were doing and you had some pretty big plans. The Wolf Hills (as a point of embarkation) was in fact, quite strategically located upon what had been recognized from
pre-Colombian times as the old, Warriors Path. A main artery penetrating into the uncharted, unknown, colonial far-west with its major branches extending all the way out to the Mississippi as well as northward into the eastern Great Lakes. This thought-provoking moniker was in due course changed and the ancient trail itself significantly modified during the longhunting era to become “The Hunters’ Trace”. An untrustworthy, bewildering passageway beginning in earnest from Staunton, Virginia; drifting through Cumberland Gap and ultimately reaching its western terminus way out in modern-day, south-central Kentucky and further on into the French Lick region of Middle Tennessee.
Once through Cumberland Gap the tremendous amounts of game became incredible. Moving from one area to another in four week to six month intervals; semi-permanent, working/living sites better known as “station camps”; centrally established within game-rich hotspots possessing curious names like Wasioto Pass, Stinking Creek, Raccoon Springs, Skin House Branch, Knob Licks, Big South Fork and the Barrens would serve as these longhunters’ various and sundry, homes-away-from-home… Any given company sustaining this rootless, nomadic lifestyle most often for a grand total of anywhere from one to two and a half years. Common procedure was for hunters to radiate out from those temporary station camps in all directions – north, south, east and west. Either by themselves or in little groups of two or three for a period of roughly, ten days to nearly three weeks. Due to the sheer numbers of hides and furs, game would be skinned on site and brought back to the station camp for half-dressing, then stored away in large hide houses to await their eventual transportation back over the mountains to the trading posts. This comprised the everyday business of the longhunter: Roam the Hunters’ Trace into the west. Establish station camps here and there. Kill/process game. Take it all back east - and reap your new-found wealth. Notwithstanding… Right here, in the Wolf Hills of Virginia. Just a stone’s throw east of Moccasin Gap - is where the game was initially set in motion.
A fleeting handful of years and the grand adventures passed on by with southwestern Virginia becoming increasingly more populated... By degrees, more civilized and conspicuously developed. Homesteads, towns, stockades springing up here and there. The days of an unsettled, wild and unbroken Virginia frontier were slowly turning into timeworn, half-forgotten memories. Our youthful, vibrant nation had determined to improve and cultivate the west. Longhunting was on the wane and a different kind of frontier was emerging: “Soon after the arrival of Mr. Robertson on the Watauga (1772)… it became settled from the Wolf Hills, where Abingdon, in Virginia, now is, to Carter’s Valley.” 3 Alas (as with everything else in the course of history) the Wolf Hills, longhunting and indeed, the longhunter himself shortly thereafter, slipped away; almost imperceptibly fading off into obscurity. But not the wolf! Distinguished Revolutionary War era, Virginia/Kentucky frontiersman, William Clinkenbeard laments: “The wolves used to come and take the pigs and things close up around the Station...”4 (I’ll bet they did.) Virginia would be a while yet shaking off her wolf population. Not unlike the vanishing longhunter during his brief heyday… hunting was in their blood. They knew nothing else. If the situation wasn’t working where they were, if problems developed, if the game played out – they’d simply adjust or otherwise drift off entirely, to another “canine” station camp.
The Wolf Hills might be lost… a thing of the past but this to the wolves was only a minor, inconsequential setback. The wolves would never yield. They weren’t created to yield. In the midst of unendurably hard times, they merely repositioned themselves; while simultaneously adapting and redefining their tactics for survival with regard to these strange, dangerous, highly sophisticated, human predators. Avoid them when they had to; eat them when they could… Food is where you find it ya know – either at home or on the trail.
Traveling westward into Kentucky with his family and a small group of settlers, late eighteenth century pioneer John Hedge tells us: “Wolves came around the wagons again. They were mighty bad in them days in Kentucky, on young cattle, horses and calves.”5 Cattle and horses, huh? Consider yourselves lucky! Guess they figured if the loathsome humans drove them off, at least they could supply ‘em with a cow or a horse every now and then… Got to do what ya got ta do, right? And pretty much nobody cares about the wolves but the wolves.
Well… Wolves are long gone now. From around these parts anyways. Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and all through the Ohio Valley. Just like the longhunter - gone. You gotta admit though, they put up
a darned good fight. Word is they still have a few wolves way out in the modern-day west. A very few… But from what I hear, most people out there (farmers, ranchers and such) don’t particularly like ‘em and their days (similar to their eighteenth century cousins), sound ominously numbered. Being a carefree rambler, a roving, habitual wanderer and an unapologetic hunter myself, I’ve always sort of identified with wolves. My path through the
forest is my own. Imperfect, unexceptional no doubt, but mine nonetheless. I chase my tail, howl at the moon and drift with the wind, as my instincts decree. Yet my hunting grounds dwindle and in many places I’m no longer welcome. That wild, uninhibited, wide-open deepwoods lifestyle I’ve grown to love is increasingly becoming harder and harder to attain. Reputable, historically legitimate longhunters of today are hard pressed as well, to find even the ever-
receding scraps of it. Still we continue to roam, prowl, dream, hope against hope; hunt where/when we can. And then we move on... Sometimes I think, in my last life – I was born a wolf.
John Curry
References:
1 Giles, Janice Holt, The Kentuckians, p. 2.
2 Summers, Lewis Preston, Southwest Virginia, 1746- 1786, p.76.
3 Haywood, John, Civil and Political History of the State of Tennessee, p. 55.
4 John D. Shane’s interview with William Clinkenbeard, Filson Club Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 3, April 1928, p.105.
5 John D. Shane’s interview with John Hedge, Filson Club Quarterly, Vol. 14, No. 3, July 1940, p.181.
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Seems as though every single thing on God’s green earth possesses a subtle, inescapable, somewhat droll sense of humor. Even the basic, rudimentary forces of nature herself have a way of laughing/poking fun at you when you least imagine or expect it... And if a lad (or in this case, several lads) be smart, they’ll learn to laugh right along with Ma Nature and/or everybody else.
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The Historic Wolf Hills | John Curry | Muzzle Blasts Excerpts
The following article appeared first in the June 2020 Issue of “Muzzle Blasts Magazine”, the official magazine from the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association.
“I first set foot in this Green River country in the spring of 1769. Jim Knox, from the Wolf Hills on the Holston, led a party of us into Kentucky to hunt. Folks called us the Long Hunters because we stayed gone such a time. The country was wilderness in those days. But few white men had ever seen it, and none had settled here.”
So begins an unassuming little book called “The Kentuckians”. The great Janice Holt Giles’ epic tale of a young longhunter’s amazing experiences during the late 1760’s in that vast, totally uninhabited expanse known as “the dark and bloody ground”. Lazy High School student that I was, I chose to read The Kentuckians under odious decree of a compulsory, English class, book report. Drat! My selection of this thoroughly astounding tome, owing mainly to its diminutive and insignificant size. Little did I know… Talk about lightning in a bottle! Hah! Right then and there began my irrepressible zeal for the saga of the longhunter which still holds me in its burly grip yet today.
Once anyone becomes seriously entangled amidst the bona fide history of true, classic longhunting; various intriguing references and allusions to this place called “the Wolf Hills” begin to pop up regularly. Arising from the most inauspicious, trifling parties you seldom ever hear about to the best known and most famous woodsmen of that age: “…Daniel Boone, accompanied by several hunters, visited the Holston and camped the first night in what is now known as Taylor’s Valley. On the succeeding day, they hunted down the South Fork of Holston river and traveled thence to what was known as the Wolf Hills, where they encamped the second night near where Black’s Fort was afterwards built. It is interesting to note at this point that Daniel Boone and his companions, immediately after nightfall, were troubled by the appearance of great numbers of wolves, which assailed their dogs with such fury that it was with great difficulty that the hunters succeeded in repelling their attacks and saving the lives of their dogs, a number of which were killed or badly crippled by the wolves. The wolves had their home in the cave that underlies the town of Abingdon. The entrance to this cave is upon the lot now occupied by the residence of Mr. James L. White.” 2 Yes… Actually, the huge entrance to the infamous Wolf Cave of so much extraordinary, longhunting lore, is now wholly contained within the backyard of a beautiful, Victorian house - located in central, downtown Abingdon!
John Curry
To read the full article, subscribe to Muzzle Blasts TODAY
References:
1 Giles, Janice Holt, The Kentuckians, p. 2.
2 Summers, Lewis Preston, Southwest Virginia, 1746- 1786, p.76.
3 Haywood, John, Civil and Political History of the State of Tennessee, p. 55.
4 John D. Shane’s interview with William Clinkenbeard, Filson Club Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 3, April 1928, p.105.
5 John D. Shane’s interview with John Hedge, Filson Club Quarterly, Vol. 14, No. 3, July 1940, p.181.
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2020 Primitive Range Family Reunion - Vendors/ Craftspeople Welcome!
With so many events canceled this year, we want to extend an invitation to vendors and craftspeople to join us for our Primitive Range Family Reunion, July 24-26, 2020
While this will be an informal event with limited attendance, you are welcome to bring your shop or trade blanket and hang out with us for the weekend!
We ask that you pay the family camp rate of $15 for the weekend, payment is not due until you set up camp, this way you aren't out anything if COVID 19 cancels this event.
If interested, please email eyazel@nmlra.org, thank you!
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Patroning the businesses of the Kalamazoo Living History Show during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Suppliers of Historic Merchandise
Apple Cart Creations - Hand spun, hand knit and woven items. Linsey-Woolsey material and clothing, 18th Century Children's Clothing, Jeff White Knives, etc. Check us out onFacebook Or our website ,or call us at 765-210-4080
Backwoods Tin Shop Fine Handmade Tin, Copper and Stainless Steel reproductions of the 1700'ss and 1800's.
Beaver Buckets Cooperage, Specializing in Making Handcrafted Historical Reproductions of Wooden Buckets, Butter Churns, Civil War and War of 1812 Canteens, Kegs, Washtubs, Washboards, and Yokes.
Blue Creek Traders - 308-778-6938
Boxmaker David Pitney - 419-303-9316
Brandenburg Store House - For all of the components needed to make cool Woodland Indian stuff; silk ribbon, hand-rolled cones, prisoner ropes and collars, hemp and nettle cordage, beads, buttons, etc.
Carl Giordano - Tinsmith An Eminent Assortment of Tin Ware Executed in the Best Manner--Reproduction Tin Ware for the Reenactor and Home Decorator
Cousin Dave Silversmith - Also on Facebook
Crazy Crow Since 1970 - Complete line of Native American Indian and Mountain Man arts, crafts, craft supply & craft kits. Your Indian Powwow or Mountain Man Rendezvous, dance, camp & shooter craft supply source. 104 page full-color catalog - order online.
Dancing Weasel Silver - Contact me directly (Peg Francisco on Facebook or IM) or email me at azwidget@toast.net
Dancing Crane Soaps and Sundries - Handmade Soaps, Lotions/Balms/Salves, Body Butters and Scrubs, Lip Balms, Sage Bundles, Sweet Grass Braids, Abalone Shells, Fabric, etc.
Darrel Lang - Leather from the Past
DeLaRonde Forge Professional Blacksmith, Hand Forged Knives, Tomahawks, Axes and Spurs.
Flintlocks LLC - Call us at 317-683-5102 or email at sales@myflintlock.com Flintlocks LLC on Facebook
Flying Heart Millinery - Shop at Flying Heart Millinery on Etsy March 20th through March 23rd and get 10% off with the discount code: KZOO20. Email - flyingheartmillinery@yahoo.com. Facebook
Four Seasons Tent Masters - For tents, tin, and herbs Tony and I can be reached at Www.fourseasonstentmasters.com, and HiddenCreekinllc.com .
Or by email tonyr@provide.net or fourseasonstentmasters@comcast.net
Gentry Gourds - Shop on Etsy
Images of the Past - Knives, Celtic Jewlrey(Ortak), limited supply of Indian War period Clothing. Etc. 715 551 6851 glazner2@aol.com
Handmaids Handmade Soaps - On Etsy or email jennyshandmaids@hotmail.com
Kannik's Korner Publishers and Designers of Carefully Researched and Documented Historical Clothing Patterns and Related Books. Patterns are Well Illustrated, with Complete Written Directions. Specializing in 18th and Early 19th Century.
Kelly James Art - Also on Facebook
Kenockee Tradin’ Post - Also on Facebook
Kentucky Leather and Hides 270 369 8474 Call, I will do sales and discounts like I would at the show.
L&R Lock Precision Built Mechanisms Include All the Features You've Come to Expect From the Number 1 Lock Manufacturer in the World Today
Medicine River Trading Company Recreating the History of America 1700-1900
Middlesex Village Trading Co Suppliers of Flintlock Muskets, Pistols and Accessories as Well as Swords and Other Edged Weapons.
N. Barber Artificers - I will have everything I made up for the Kalamazoo show posted on Facebook in the next couple of days.
Northwest Traders - 5055 West Jackson Rd Enon Oh 45323. 937 308 1591 Handwoven blankets, Beaded goods, Quillwork, Leather goods. E mail pmueller@nwtrader.com
Pack Saddle Shop All Your Backcountry Packing Needs for Outfitting Your Horse, Mule or Donkey
Panther Primitives The Best Historical Tents Historical Reproduction Tents
Peter Townsend’s Irish Collection
Richard Heinicke Blacksmithing Experience CUSTOM Crafted Blacksmith Ironwork Using Centuries Old Techniques: Fireplace and Campfire Tools, Reproductions, Kitchen Hardware, Lantern and Candle holders
River Crossing Inc. River Crossing is a Company that Specializes in Historic Presentations and Period Clothing, and is the Result of the Joining of Two Established Companies, Rolling Thunder Ranch by Mike Guli, and Miss Tabitha’s by Sharon Moore.
Romantically Bent Clothing - Visit them on Facebook, or call (614) 282-3578
Samson Historical - We will be offering free shipping on EVERY order. So if you were planning on attending and making a purchase, you can still make your purchase and spend $0.00 to ship it! Facebook
Sheldon Pewter - Also on Facebook
Smoke and Fire Co. - 1-800-766-5334 So far we still are planning on the scratch and dent sale at the store in Waterville March 28.
Smoking Iron Alterations Smoking Iron Web Ste with Directions to the Shop, Contact Information and Catalogue of Historical Clothing and Equipment.
Spring Valley Lodges - springvalleylodges@comcast.net
Stone Edge One of the Finest Bowyers, Arrow Makers and Flint Knappers Currently Working in the Native American Tradition
Swamp Fox Knives Maker of Fine Knives and Accouterments for the 1750-1865 Living Historian, Collectors, Museums, and Film Productions.
TDC® - Cash Manufacturing Co Inc - The company offers brass Cappers; Gun Hangers; Funnels; Powder Measurers; Ramrod Pipes; Nosecaps; Survivalist Items; Trekker Lanterns; a variety of brass, German Silver and copper Boxes; and many more items for the discerning shooter/hunter. The new and improved Universal Straightline Capper, Swivel and Flip Top powder measurers are much sought items. 608-849-5664; office@TDCMFG.com; or visit the website for a full array of the product line at www.TDCMFG.com
The Quartermaster General Purveyors of fine quality, historically accurate, replica civilian clothing, military uniforms, and equipage for reenactors.
The Stitchers Cabin - 937–857-9745.
The Carrot Patch Farm - Also on Facebook
V.C.R. Inc. Offers a Variety of Authentic Cross-Frame Furniture Replicated from the Roman Time Frame, 18th Century, Fur Trade, and Civil War. If you are Looking for Correct Furniture for Your Living History Camp You Can Find it Here
Wm. Booth, Draper, At the Sign of the Unicorn Merchant Specializing in Flax and Hemp Linens, Wools, Books, Patterns, and Notions including Linen Thread, Wool Braid, Gold Lace, Silk Ribbon, Linen and Cotton Tape, Sleeve Buttons, Thread Buttons, Knitting Wool, Samplers, Sewing Accessories
Associations
The Coalition of Historical Trekkers
The Company of Fifers & Drummers The Company of Fifers & Drummers is the Leading Organization of Fife and Drum Corps, with Members throughout the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom and Europe. They Own and Maintain The Museum of Fife & Drum and an Extensive Music Library and Archives.
Michigan State Muzzle Loading Association
The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association
National Rendezvous and Living History Foundation Dedicated to Making Our National Rendezvous the Best Events in the U.S
Northwest Territory of the N-SSA The NWT is One of the 12 Regions of the N-SSA, Based in Michigan. The N-SSA is a Civil War Firearms Competition Fired by Teams Representing Actual Units from the American Civil War.
Military Groups
The Massachusetts Provincial Battalion - If interested in giving ling history a try, getting into a wonderful family hobby, check us out, the Best in Battle Reenacting.