Old Story Is Mostly Forgotten, Yet Many Relatives Remain

By M. I. Troutman - 1903

There was a family of Johnsons who had settled in Bullitt County on a small stream called Cane Run, about three miles north of what is now Lebanon Junction in the late 1780s. The station was situated either on the farm where Win. Whitehead now lives or lower down the creek at the place known as the Holsclaw farm, or Roscoe Atcher's place.

Some of the Johnson children were out at the sugar camp after wood for fuel, and while they were gathering the wood they were attacked by a band of several Indians. The oldest boy, Phillip, was killed outright. Elisha was scalped and left for dead, and another brother, Ephraim, was beaten with a club until unconscious. Four other children, Joseph, William, Elizabeth, and Polly, made their escape to the woods.

Took Refuge In A Log.

Elisha and Ephraim both recovered from their fearful treatment. Elizabeth, one of those to escape, is the aunt whom I heard relate the facts I am writing. Joseph was the third boy of the family, and while the Indians were trying to capture or kill him the others made their escape. The boy was a swift runner and made for a knob that was close by and after running for some time had placed quite a distance between himself and his pursuers. Coming to a deep ravine the boy espied a hollow log lying across it and into this he crept unobserved by the Indians. He had not been in his hiding place long before an Indian in pursuit walked the length of the log in which the boy was concealed.

Escaped To The Fort

The three others, William, Elizabeth, and Polly, made their way to a fort on Wilson's Creek, known as Gasher's Fort. Here they found their parents who had gone to the fort for assistance when the attack was made upon their children.

Joseph Johnson lived a number of years and was a soldier of the War of 1812, being with General Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans, and was one of the first men of his company over the breastworks. I have often heard him tell about the Battle of New Orleans.

Has Descendants In Nelson County

Elizabeth, or Aunt Betsey, as we always called her, married Anthony Shawler and lived on or near the place where the Indian attack took place, until her death which occurred about 30 years ago.

Aunt Betsey Shawler was the mother of Lloyd Shawler, who is well-known to many people; and the mother of C. L. Shawler, late representative of Larue County in the legislature. Squire Shawler, of Cox's Creek, was another son, and Mrs. Mary Deats, of Deatsville, and Mrs. Susan Napper, of Boston, were daughters.

There are numerous families of Johnsons still living in Bullitt County. Dr. J. E. Johnson, of Lebanon Junction, and Rev. Chas. Johnson are descendants of the pioneers of that name in Bullitt County.