This originally appeared in the Batesville News, March 4, 1841.

Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas. Little Rock, AR: Clearfield Press, 1908,
p. 339-342.

REMARKABLE LIFE OF ABRAHAM RUDDELL.

Abraham Ruddell, of Independence County, had a career which the pen of J.
Fennimore Cooper might have depicted as it deserved, but which my pen in
the space allotted cannot adequately express. He was born as far west as
white people at that time had found permanent homes. Far down on the
Holstein in Virginia in a log house on August 3, 1774, he first saw the
light of day. He never knew much about this home nor his parents, for on
June 22, 1780, the Indians fell upon the little settlement and with savage
ferocity tomahawked its residents, carrying off as a prisoner the little
curley-headed Abraham Ruddell. They carried him over into Kentucky and the
same something that prompted his savage captors to spare his life, whatever
that may have been, prompted the great Tecumseh to not only further spare
him, but to take him into his family as an adopted son. Strange fortune was
this! Strange mutation of the little child's life. He grew up under
Tecumseh's eye and was trained by that renowned warrior in all the arts of
Indian life and Indian warfare. He learned the language of the tribe,
played the Indian boyhood games, and took part in all the Indian wars. He
was an adept in the use of a tomahawk, though his white blood restrained
him from its more barbarous uses. He was skilled with the bow and could
contest favorably with all his dusky comrades. In the use of the rifle he
had no superior and Tecumseh awarded him many happy encomiums. When the
tribe fought other Indian tribes Ruddell fought at Tecumseh's side and
fought well. He had no particle of cowardice in his system and was far more
venturesome than even his savage friends. He was trained, however, to know
that he was white, and Tecumseh always held out to him the fact that at
some time he would go back to the whites to live the white man's life. So
gentle was Tecumseh to him that he grew to love him and throughout his life
had a warm vein of affection for the great warrior. When Tecumseh died
there was one white man, at least, that sincerely mourned his death. Logan,
the Mingo, stood alone in his absolute lack of mournful friends; Tecumseh
was mourned by his tribe and by Abraham Ruddell. For Tecumseh's brother,
the prophet, Ruddell had a supreme contempt, and it was only his love for
Tecumseh that kept him from openly showing his dislike.


LIVED SIXTEEN YEARS WITH INDIANS.


After sixteen years of captivity under the provisions of Mad Anthony
Wayne's treaty, he returned to the whites. His parting with Tecumseh was
grievous, and each shook the hand of the other in proud good faith as they
separated. Ruddell went back to his own people, a stranger in their midst.
In Kentucky he started a new life, the white man's life with an added
Indian education. His counsels were sought by the border woodsmen, and his
Indian craft was used to circumvent the craft of the Indians. In 1811 he
became a soldier of the United States and with the backwoodsmen of Virginia
and Kentucky, with unerring rifles and forest tactics, marched with the
brave and gallant Winchester into Canada. He was in the ever memorable
fight of the Raisin and with others felt all the mortification of defeat.
All day long his eye swept the field of savage faces hunting for the
familiar face of Tecumseh. At the risk of his life he would have tried to
shake Tecumseh's hand again. He had bullets for the Indians, but none for
Tecumseh. But he saw not his friend, nor did he see that other, the
Prophet, for whom he had saved a special bullet, and whom he would gladly
have shot. Ruddell always attributed the prevalence of the Indian
atrocities to the evil eye of the Prophet.


MOVED TO ARKANSAS.


In battle after battle the defeat was retrieved and the war cry "Remember
the Raisin," became the rallying cry of all future combats. Ruddell served
through the war and went back to his forest home to ever afterwards live a
peaceful life. In 1816 the Western fever attacked his neighborhood and with
one accord they pulled up stakes and began a journey into the greater and
newer West. Crossing the Mississippi below St. Genevieve they took the old
St. Louis and Washita road and turned South. One by one they found their
Canaan and blazed their claims. Ruddell found his in the fairest part of
what is now Independence County, in that township which will forever carry
his name. Grand old Abraham Ruddell! Was there ever a man more respected in
the county?


UNIVERSALLY RESPECTED


Fent Noland, who knew him well, who gleaned the fore going story from his
lips, said, "No. He was a man of his word, honest and clean. He was never
asked for a bond, and hated a liar. He was not only respected, but loved,
and at his death, February 25, 1841, the whole county grieved. He loved the
forest and spent the greater part of his time in its depths. He knew all
the trees and communed with them; he knew the habits of all the birds and
loved to imitate their music. Every flower of the county was known to him,
not by its Latin, but by its loving backwoods name. Such a man had in him
all the fire of a poet linked to the soul of a scientist. He never injured
any man and all men were his friends. He could lie down in the forest, draw
the drapery of a couch around him, and in the presence of the stars sleep
that sleep which abounds only in pleasant dreams."


Fent Noland was a clean man--a man of lofty, poetic ideals, and his
testimonial to the character of Abraham Ruddell is one of the brightest
parts of old Independence County history. He had several children, but at
his death had but one son and one daughter living, who with his wife shed
genuine tears of regret


He never sought office, and but one of the name, John Ruddell, is enrolled
on the county's official roll. George Ruddell was a citizen of Batesville
in 1821. Abraham Ruddell's name marks the township in which Batesville
stands, and that is a most signal honor. There on the hallowed ground where
James Boswell, Richard Peel, Richard Searcy, Thomas Curran, J. Redmon,
Charles H. Pelham, Charles Kelly, J. Egner, John Read, Colonel Miller, J.
L. Daniels, Robert Bruce, John and James Trimble, Colonel and Fent Noland,
James Denton, Townsend Dickinson, William Moore, and other choice spirits
of the earliest times met with him and lived with him-there was he buried
amidst the most profound grief of his fellows. No more romantic character
ever lived on Arkansas soil, and some rising Arkansas Octave Than it will
do credit to her name by writing a characteristic romance with Abraham
Ruddell as its central figure. He was "The Last of the Mohicans," as it
were, but his life story ought not to die.
 

Obituary of Abraham Ruddell 
(Brother of George Ruddell)

OBITUARIES 

Written By C. F. M. Moland

ABRAHAM RUDDELL

Died - At his residence in this county on the 25th ultimo, ABRAHAM RUDDELL,
Sen'r 

The life of this extraordinary man, is one of thrilling interest, and the pen of 
Byrd, Kennedy or Hoffman, could have found in it, incidents enough for a heart
Stirring volume. Mr. Ruddell was born on the Holstein River in the state of Virginia
On the third day of August, 1774, and emigrated with his father to Kentucky in
1777. On the 22nd of June 1780 he was taken prisoner by the Indians; at the taking
(by them) of Ruddell's Station. He was adopted into the family of Tecumseh, and
Perhaps no man living knew so well the character of that distinguished red warrior. 
He described him as a brave skilful warrior, of the "prophet" he had a contemptible 
Opinion, and believed that Tecumseh only gave credence to his prophecies, the
Better to carry out with his people the plans of his mighty genius. After Wayne's
Treaty with the Indians in 1794, (Ruddell) returned to the whites. While among the
Indians he acquired a character for great boldness and in their skirmishes with the
Delaware's, he was always a leader. He was one of that gallant band who were
Defeated under Winchester in 1811 at the river Raisin, and belonged to that wing of
the army which suffered so much. Tecumseh was absent at this battle, being on a 
Mission to other tribes. Once while heading a scouting party, Mr. Ruddell crossed 
the trail of Tecumseh, - could they have met and a recognition have taken place
Before blows, there would have been in all probability a scene of deep interest, -
The ties of friendship produced by so long an association and the confidence of the
Indian Chief in him might perchance have checked the former in his deed laid
Plans of vengeance against the white men. - But they never met.

In 1816 he removed to this county, where he has ever since resided - respected
And beloved by all who knew him. His wife, and but one son and daughter out of a
Large family of children survives him. His habits were such, as might be expected 
From his early life. He was passionately fond of hunting - in the woods he was at 
Home. His skill ever make him comfortable, and where night overtook him he 
Went to rest, with nothing but the blue sky of heaven above him, as contented as the 
Proudest potentate of Europe does to his bed of down. Go in the woods with him -
Mark his elastic step and caution tread, and you had before you a living breathing 
Likeness of Cooper's leather stocking. He had held communion with nature in the
Depths of the wilderness - had watched the stars - and studied the mighty and 
Stupendous works of providence, until he had acquired a knowledge of books. The
Habits of beasts and insects - from the majestic Buffalo to the busy Bee were as
Familiar to him as those of Durham cattle to the scientific grazier. But he has been
Gathered to the tomb, ripe in years and ripe in goodness.

:Peace be unto his ashes." (From the Batesville News, March 4, 1841, p. 2.)

An article entitled "Early Days of Historic Ruddell Family" by Pearl Ruddell
Rieves, published in the Chronicle." Vol. 1 No. 1 (October 1959, 20-27, contains
Addtitional information on Abraham Ruddell.

Captured and raised by Tecumseh's family

for 17 years - returning to their father -1795

Draper Interviews - 1883

Draper 5YY:53

A Pioneer Story

Major Riddle’s Sons Captured and Brought Up by Indians

     The question is often disputed as to whether Tecumseh commanded at the battle of Fort Harrison. Mr. Boord says that he did, and tells the following story to prove it:

     Stephen and Abraham Riddle, sons of Maj. Riddle, of Kentucky, were stolen in the early days of Kentucky by the Indians, and carried North. The youths were raised among the Indians and became warriors. Stephen married a squaw and became a chief on account of his bravery. But Abraham was never nothing more than a common, dirty Indian. At last Stephen tired of his Indian life, and longed to see the face of white people. He could remember his home in Kentucky, his father and mother and sister. He was a powerful chief and commanded many warriors. One day he called a council and told his warriors that he thought of going to see Gen. Wayne, then at Fort Wayne. The warriors all declared their determination to go with him, and they set off on their journey. They traveled from the Northwestern part of Indiana to near Fort Wayne. Chief Stephen did not wish to present himself suddenly before the fort with his warriors for fear it would create alarm. He waited in the timber till one of the soldiers came out to hunt, and captured him. He told the soldier that he meant him no harm, and that he wanted to see Gen. Wayne. The soldier conducted him and his band to within a few hundred yards of the fort, when, fearing treachery to the fort, he ran away from the Indians and alarmed the garrison. But Chief Steve succeeded in making the soldiers understand that he was friendly, and Gen. Wayne, accompanied by a guard, came out to treat with him. Wayne expressed astonishment that the Chief should talk such good English, and asked him why it was. Then the Chief told him his story and how he longed to see his pale-faced father and mother. Gen. Wayne was astonished. He knew Maj. Riddle, and knew that he had two stolen boys. “Where is your brother?” asked Gen. Wayne. “Here he is,” said Chief Steve, leading Abraham forward. But Abraham was an orney looking Indian, and Gen. Wayne did not “take shine to him.” “You return here when the moon has twice filled, and I will show you your father,” said the General. The Indians went their way, and Gen. Wayne sent a message to Maj. Riddle, in Kentucky, telling him that he had found his long lost sons.

     The Major came to the fort. His two sons had been there several days waiting for him. Chief Steve met his father with a dignified and chiefly air, and offered him the pipe of peace. The father recognized him. “Where is my other son?” asked the father. “My brother will not be here before to-morrow, as he is with the soldiers,” said Chief Steve. Abraham, in true Indian style, had picked up with the soldiers and got drunk on firewater. He had trashed every soldier in the fort, and it had been found necessary to “buck and gag” him to make him quiet. Maj. Riddle raged, and demanded that his other son be brought forthwith before him, and Gen. Wayne ordered him to be brought. When the father gazed upon him he declared him no son of his, and wanted to brain him. But Gen. Wayne reasoned with him, and at last the father recognized him. The two sons returned to Kentucky with their father, Steve taking his squaw. Steve was one of soldiers in Fort Harrison during the fight, and he declares that Tecumseh commanded, and that he could have killed him if he had so desired. Stephen afterwards became a Baptist preacher, and preached in Terre Haute in early days. His squaw did not take to civilized life, and he gave her ponies and sent her back to the tribe. Mr. Boord says that the northwest corner block house of the fort was burned during the fight. When the battle raged the hardest a soldier stood exposed to the view of the Indians, and for hours threw water on the flames to keep them from spreading. A woman handed him the water. Another soldier went up to help him and was instantly picked off. One Indian attempted to get into the fort by running through the flames, but he was overcome by the smoke and roasted to death. Soldiers in the fort say that many Indians were killed. The Indians threw their dead into the river, and when they were driven away the soldiers found a perfect road leading down the river where the Indians had dragged their dead. – Terre Haute Express – Aug 1883
Drape manuscript Collection, 5YY:54.

Tecumseh

The Old Indian Napoleon was Undoubtedly at Ft. Harrison – A Historical Society Searching for the truth.

     About six weeks ago, the Express published an interview with Mr. Boord, a gentleman well known in this city, and who has been here since the early days. Mr. Boord can be see on Wall street almost any day, and is quite spry for a man of 82 years old. His memory is remarkably clear, and he can talk for hours in a very interesting manner of the early times. In the interview alluded to, Mr. Boord stated that Tecumseh was at the battle of Ft. Harrison. This has always been a disputed question, but Mr. Boord’s statements of the affair are so forcible and so clear that it should set that mooted question at rest. Mr. Boord was raised in Bourbon county, Ky. IN that county a Baptist minister named Stephen Ruddle resided, who was once an Indian chief. Mr. Boord gives this minister as his authority for the statement that Tecumseh was at Ft. Harrison.

A few days ago the Express received the following letter.

ROOMS OF STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN, MADISON, WIS.
September 19, 1883.

To the Editor of the Express/
Sir –
     I have just met with an article taken from your paper, stating, on the authority of a Mr. Boord, that Tecumseh shared in the attack on Fort Harrison in 1812. I have long been collecting material for a work on Tecumseh. If Mr. Boord is a resident of your place, please send him this note and the return envelope, with my request that he write me stating if what he relates came from Stephen Ruddle himself; and if so, whether Mr. Boord heard him narrate it. If not derived from Ruddle then from whom did Mr. Boord learn it.
I send you a copy of our Wisconsin Historical Society Collections, and one to your care for Mr. Boord.

Very truly yours,
Lyman C. Draper.

An Express reporter met Mr. Boord, yesterday, gave him the book, and showed him the letter/

“Did Mr. Ruddle tell you himself, Mr. Boord?” asked the reporter.

“Yes; I have heard him tell it a hundred times. There was a little mistake in your interview with me. Ruddle was not in the fort during the fight, but it was another man whom I had reference to as being in the fort.”

“What were Mr. Ruddle’s grounds for saying that Tecumseh was at the battle of Fort Harrison.?”

“I will tell you,” said he, “Stephen Ruddle and his brother were stolen by the Indians when very young, and carried into captivity. Stephen married an Indian woman, and became very popular with the Indians. They made him chief. During that time he became acquainted with all the noted Indian chiefs. He knew Tecumseh and the Prophet as well as I know you or any other person in Terre Haute. When Chief Stephen went to see General Wayne, as I told you in the first interview, and told Wayne who he was, and was found by his father Colonel Ruddle, he was taken home to Kentucky. He was educated and became a minister. His father was very rich. He lived within a quarter of a mile of my father, in Bourbon county, Kentucky. During the war of 1812 Stephen was hired by the United States government to go among the Indians and talk peace to them. He was with them during all that time. He knew every movement they made. He has told me, and I have heard him tell others that he knew that Tecumseh was at the battle of Fort Harrison, but was not at the battle of Tippecanoe. He said that Tecumseh told him so, and told him that if he had been at Tippecanoe the battle would never have taken place. The Prophet was a bad Indian, and taught the Indians to believe that the Great Spirit would protect them, and that the white man’s bullets would not touch them.”

“What kind of man was Ruddle when you knew him, Mr. Boord?”

“He was a very pious man; a straight forward and truthful man. He was looked upon by all who knew him as a truthful man, and reliance could be placed in everything he said.”

The above account, as given by Mr. Boord, is as authentic as any ever related. Mr. Boord is known by nearly every man, woman and child in Terre Haute, and he is known as a straight forward, honest gentleman. If Ruddle was the kind of a man Mr. Boord describes him, there is no reason to doubt his story. The Historical society can put great reliance in the statements.


Draper 5YY:56-56(3)

Terre Haute, Ind. Oct. 31, 1883
Mr. Lyman Draper,
Madison Wis.

Dear Sir,

     Yours of the 27 of Sept was duly received. I take pleasure in answering it. I see their has been some mistake – Ruddell was not at Fort Harrison at the time of the battle – I heard Ruddell say that Tecumseh was at the battle of Fort Harrison. Ruddell was sent by government to preach to the Indians in the north of Indiana & Ohio. Ruddell was taken prisoner at Nine years of age and lived with the Indians until he was married and had two children. He was made a chief of, and was acquainted with Tecumseh. Stephen Ruddell was not at Fort Harrison at the time of the battle. Stephen knew Tecumseh and I heard him say Tecumseh was at Fort Harrison at the time of the battle. I believed it for Stephen Ruddell was raised from the time he was nine years old with the Indians, became a chief had a squaw and two papooses and when he got home his father gave him some education and he became a Baptist minister and the Government sent him to preach in the north of Ohio and Indiana to the Indians. His father was rich and Stephen had a good farm and several slaves to work it. He was considered a religious, a trustful, and trustworthy man. I have spent some time in tring to find a survivor of the battle of Fort Harrison but have been unable to do so. But my best information is that there is now no person alive who took part in that engagement.

     Abraham Ruddell a brother of Stephen was a soldier in the war of 1812 and served under Gen. Harrison and acted as a spy, and was at Winchester’s defeat and when our forces surrendered, the Indians by an robbury and mal treat any the prisoners. Abram Ruddell told me that the officers applied to Gen. Proctor who was then in command for protection, but he saw that he could not help them, they then sent for Tecumseh and he stopped the Indians at once. Tecumseh said to Proctor “it is a shame you allow your prisoners so badly treated” and appears to be very angry – I heard about the same statements from one Kenater, who served with Ruddell and was a prisoner with him.
   
     Abraham Ruddell was a man of affluence and shuned any in that community and was regarded as a man of truth. If there is any further information that I can give you in this regard I will gladly do so. With Kindest regards.

I am Very Truly Yours.

Geo. G. Boord.

1W:271

Capt Ferguson to Col. Harmar, Fort McIntosh, Sept 16th 1786.

“I went to Pittsburgh after a deserter last Monday, where I met with the person who gives the enclosed information. Capt. Ashton & myself thought it prudent to have Girty & Brickell sworn, fearing the news might be only an Indian trader’s finesse. The other person who wishes his name concealed is one [George] Loveless, whose father lives down the Ohio in Virginia; he was examined separately, a day after the others, & I am led to believe his information may be depended on, as he had a better opportunity of obtaining it than the others, from connections with the Indians, for he has a sister married to one Williams, a half Indian; & from this sister he got a great part of what was in agitation among the Indians, & the rest from his own personal knowledge.” [this sister was Sarah “Soharass” Loveless who married a half Indian named Isaac Williams.]

“Fort Pitt, Sept 14th, 1786 – A person [George Loveless] who for many reasons wishes his name not to be known, makes the following report: that he was made prisoner six years ago by the British & Indians, & has since generally resided in the Indian country….”