Kyle Carroll Art: Trouble Up River

In the second half of the 18th century, hunters pushing into the fertile Middle Ground
country in pursuit of deer skins and furs had two choices for freighting their hides, tallow
and sometimes meat out of the back country. They could pack in and out over the
Appalachians on horse back or they could move their heavy loads by water. As the
trade in wilderness hides grew, an intricate bateaux system developed along the Ohio
and a thin supply line was maintained extending far into the western wilderness.

The discovery of a ransacked boat any where along the Ohio or its tributaries was
understandably viewed as a major concern for those adventurous individuals who plied
their trade along its troubled banks.

Devereaux Smith came upon just such a scene in 1767:

July 17th,

We row before day, and about 11 oclock being on the Cherokee Side of the River, I
observed a Boat lying on the Shawnese Shore, and upon Crossing over I found the
Goods in the following disorderly Manner. Several Boxes of Guns broke open-Sundry
Keggs, Casks, & Boxes of Merchandise Stove apparengly with Tomhawks—Some of
the Bales of Blanketing Cut open, and a Box directed for Edward Cole Esq. with another
Box of Looking Glasses broke to pieces—On the Shore lay two or three loose Match
Coats, two Guns, Some Stroud Cases, with a large Kettle which had been used for
Cooking—I discharged my people from plundering, but told them if there was any
provisions on board to bring it with them, as I did not Know how I might be
Circumstanced for the Same before I could reach Fort Pitt— I found the packet on
Board which I brought with me, & Indians powder Horn—I made fast the Boat to a Tree,
and packed up the Goods together in her-, Nailing a Couple of Oil Cloaths over them in
the best Manner I coud, to preserve them from farther damage. I did not Suspect this to
be the Commonement [commencement?]of an Open War, but that Some Skulking
parties of Indians had Stole her from the Crew in the Night for the Sake of plunder. The
Boat was near half full of Water, which I had Bailed out, & left her at 4 oclock in the
Afternoon—.....—About Seven Miles above the Boat there ly a Bale of white Knitt
Halfthicks, and one Mile farther lay a Kegg of Pickeld Sturgeon which my people
brought on Board my Boat—Two Miles farther one Trunk broke open Containing Writing
paper & (?) all damaged,--One Mile farther lay a Bale of Stroud, at which place I
Suppose the Ceizure had been made, as I found no more of the Ruins from that place
up—Thro the whole of this there was no appearance of Blood Shed, So that I imagine
the people were only Captured. The Boat lay about 20 Miles above the Falls- [1]

As the three woodsman in this painting pole their dugout up stream, they see the first
tell signs of TROUBLE UP RIVER.

Kyle Carroll
July 2005

[1] Page 830 Sons Of A Trackless Forrest , Mark A. Baker, 1997