Simon Butler : composed and drawn on stone

Item — huntington box: 41 - folder 1

Identifier: 9104

Scope and content

Print originally from Indian Traits Volume II, by Benjamin Bussey Thatcher, 1844, page 35. This version is from Annals of the United States illustrated: the pioneers: no. 4. Print depicts Simon Kenton, aka Simon Butler, tied to a horse which is being scared by Shawnee Indians in the background. There is description of the print on the front in English and French.

Dates

1852.

Creator

Bodmer, Karl, 1809-1893. (Person)
Huntington Free Library (Former owner, Organization)

Biographical / Historical

Simon Kenton was a frontiersman who moved to Kentucky and Ohio after thinking he had murdered a man in a jealous rage. When he moved he changed his name to Simon Butler. Upon later learning that the man was still alive, he reverted back to his given name. He worked with Daniel Boone and fought in the Ohio Indian Wars and the Revolutionary War. He was captured by Shawnee Indians and tortured. The Indians tied him to a wild horse and then let the horse run. It eventually returned to the Indian camp with Kenton still alive. He later found freedom.