Fourty-Four Years, or, the Life of a Hunter. Meshach Browning
the verge of 80, is preparing for another bear campaign, gave me delight instead of labor. I advise its publication, just as given with his own sturdy pen, barely correcting the grammatical errors with which it abounds. Indeed, these mistakes give such proof of the difficulty with which, as an author, this man of the wilderness had to contend, and they are so thoroughly redeemed by the good sense, good feeling, the rustic humor of the narrator, and the interest of his story, that I would prefer to let these blemishes stand, but that this age of uni- versal scholarship is so fastidious about correct spelling and making verbs and their nominatives agree. As a striking picture of the trying life which creates the character of an American backwoodsman, the face of the autograph and the peculiar phraseology (giving evidence throughout of a struggle with literature, yet making it subservient oy the power of intellect), has somewhat the effect of the harsh Scotch dialect in giving force to expression in our language. When our race of hardy pioneers is gone, I think this original work of the
1 A
viii INTRODUCTION.
Bear Hunter's penmanship would have a value that should preserve it in some public museum. The short and simple annals of the poor" were never better told, nor the difficulties and dangers which beset them in struggling into civilization in the midst of a wilderness, were never more graphically portrayed than in this black-letter manuscript.
If the public could make the acquaintance of Mr. Browning, as we did, in the midst of the mountain region in which he has lived from youth to age, it would add such a charm to his memoir, that I am sure it would be universally read. Found in the midst of a com- munity which had risen around him in the course of three-quarters of a century, he was still the prominent figure among a host of strong-minded, stalwart mountaineers, among whom his own progeny, numbering more than an hundred intelligent, athletic men, and beautiful women, were conspicuous. In this region, so prolific of strong-minded and able bodied men, old Mr. Browning, the son of the subaltern English soldier who escaped from Braddock's battle, and nestled in the neighborhood below the Alleganies, still holds pre- eminence, and yet he seems insensible of it.
He is the hero of every man's conversation in his mountain repub- lic, but, ever of his own; and although he embodies in his own life- time all its history, he makes a modest cital of himself in connection with it. Like old Nestor among the younger Greek chiefs, who all are willing to defer to his experience, wisdom, and eloquence, he chooses to defer to them in importance; and is, even in "narrative old age," the most striking instance of modest courtesy in waiving its privileges I have ever known. His own adventures as a hunter are often called out from him in social circles to renew the interest of early savage scenes which civilized life is now rendering tame; and no one has a happier vein in talk to give a living image to the eye.
It is the enjoyment derived by his neighbors from this faculty, and the knowledge of his probity and truth, that induced them to urge the attempt of perpetuating the story of his life in print. If it had been taken from his lips by a practised writer, his memoir might have had much greater attraction than as now given by his untaught laboring pen, which arrests the happy flow of recital; but even as it is, the public will find the impress of genius, of truth, of good
INTRODUCTION. ix
feeling and happy humor, however veiled in the medium of convey- ance, to recommend the work of this illiterate man.
Sincerely your friend,
F. P. BLAIR.
During a more recent visit to the mountains, I met with ray friend Judge Thomas Perry, of the Fourth Judicial District of this State—a gentleman not more widely known than he is universally esteemed and respected. Long personally acquainted with the author, and familiar with the recital of many of the startling scenes narrated by him, the judge promptly and most cheerfully offered to reply in writing to any queries I might propound to him —he being then engaged on the Bench. I am well aware that no letter or certificate will add to the fair fame of the author where he is known; but it is inserted as the free- will offering of the writer, and with the kindest motives for the benefit of an old and valued friend.
CUMBERLAND, MD., March 7, 1859.
DEAR SIR:
Your note of this day has been received, and I with pleasure reply to your inquiries. I have been acquainted with Meshach Browning from my infancy, and I have never known of anything to impair his character.
I have the greatest confidence in his veracity, and you can rely upon any statement he has made, or may make. In this community, where he is well known, no one doubts the truth of the many inter- esting incidents narrated by him.
Respectfully yours,
THOMAS PERRY.
TO EDWARD STABLER, ESQ.
This letter, comprehensive and complete within itself, is all that appears necessary to perfect the "Introduction."
x INTRODUCTION.
To live far beyond the usual period allotted to man— "three score years and ten"—and receive the commenda- tion, "I have never known of anything to impair his character," is a legacy which should be more highly prized by the descendants of an author, or indeed of any one. than silver and gold.
EDWARD STABLER.
HAREWOOD, MD, 1859.
NOTE.—After the work was in press, the following unsolicited letter was received from a prominent citizen of Allegany county—
viz.:
ACCIDENT, ALLEGANY COUNTY, MD., March 30, 1859.
E. STABLER, Esq.
DEAR SIR:—I have seen in the public prints, sketches of the life and adventures of Meshach Browning, for forty-four years a hunter in the Allegany Mountains; and understand that you are about to have his memoir printed, and published in book form. I beg leave to say to you, and to the public, that I have been person- ally acquainted with Mr. Browning for twenty-five years, and know him to be a man of sterling integrity ; and that he is entitled to receive at the hands of the public full credit for every word that he has written.
This work is the narration of facts as they occurred; and having spent a great portion of his life in camps, erected in the wilderness for the purpose of hunting, many things may appear strange, and almost miraculous, to those who are not acquainted with a hunter's life; yet they are nevertheless true, and can be vouched for. Mr. Browning was among the first settlers here, and is one of Nature's noblest works.
Impatiently waiting the publication of this work,
I am, dear sir, yours very truly,
RICHARD FAIRHALL.
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S.
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CHAPTER I.
Birth and Parentage—Difficulties of his widowed Mother—Moves to the West—Ac cident on the Road—Settles on Flintstone—Induced by an Aunt, John Spurgin's wife, to leave the maternal roof—Removes to Allegany County, and settles in a small Cabin—Great abundance of Game — Again removes, with his Uncle, to Mo- nongahela County, Virginia—Then again back to the " Blooming Rose "—Becomes acquainted with Mary McMullen, his future Wife—Goes one quarter to School, being all his Education—Falls in love with Mary—Goes to see her at night, and the old man, her Father, sets the Dog on him, supposing him to be a prowling Wolf—Ludicrous scene in escaping—Aunt has an Heir, after twenty years' mar- riage, and treats the Author unkindly—First success in Deer-Hunting—Aunt, in an ill-humor, strikes him with a heavy wooden Shovel—Leaves his Uncle and Aunt—Goes Hunting again, and kills a tine Buck, but gets his Feet nearly Frozen —Takes leave of his Betrothed—Both much affected……………………………………..
CHAPTER