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"IN THIS SITUATION I WAS CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO DANGER AND DEATH. HOW UNHAPPY SUCH A SITUATION FOR A MAN TORMENTED WITH FEAR, WHICH IS VAIN IF NO DANGER COMES, AND IF IT DOES, ONLY AUGMENTS THE PAIN." (Daniel Boone, as quoted by John Filson in The Adventures of Daniel Boone)
Presented for auction is the The Life and Times of Col. Daniel Boone, Hunter, Soldier and Pioneer, with Sketches of Simon Kenton, Lewis Wetzel, and other Leaders in the Settlement of the West, by Edward S. Ellis. Philadelphia: Henry T. Coates (circa 1900). (The copyright page says Porter & Coates, 1884. But the title page says Henry T. Coates, Publisher. Porter & Coates became Henry T. Coates in 1895 when Porter retired. In 1904 Coates retired and sold the company to John C. Winston Co. The book had to be published between 1895 and 1904.)
While many tall tales have been told about Daniel Boone, there is no doubt that he lived an amazing life - and that he lived it without fear. This book includes all his adventures: his military action in the French and Indian War; his contribution in blazing the famous Wilderness Road and the founding of Boonesboro; his deeds as Captain of the Militia in Kentucky during the Revolution; his capture and adoption by the Shawnee; his role serving several times as a representative in the Virginia legislature. It also recounts the personal tragedies. Two of his sons and his brother-in-law were killed during the founding of Boonesboro. His brother was killed in the Revolution. His distrust and carelessness with legal documents led to the loss of the land in Kentucky he had sacrificed so much for to greedy land speculators. It happened to him again in Missouri.
In the background, however, we read of Boone slipping away over and over again to go hunting and trapping in the wilderness. Even in his last years when he was living in Missouri he made long trapping expeditions into Kansas. One source says that in 1814, at the age of 78, he journeyed all the way to the Yellowstone. If you love reading about adventure in the unspoiled wilderness of yesteryear - this is the book for you!!!
This book will also satisfy the lover of history. There is ample information about the Revolutionary War with much on the exploits of General Clarke. The end of the book includes two separate accounts on General Simon Kenton and Lewis Wetzel - both whom deserve their own books.
John James Audubon, the famous naturalist, spent a night with Daniel Boone when Boone was in his early 70's. here are Audubon's own words on Boone:
"Daniel Boone, or as he was usually called in the Western Country, Colonel Boone, happened to spend a night with me under the same roof, more than twenty years ago. We had returned from a shooting excursion, in the course of which his extraordinary skill in the management of the rifle had been fully displayed. On retiring to the room appropriated to that remarkable individual and myself, I felt anxious to know more of his exploits and adventures than I did, and accordingly took the liberty of proposing numerous questions to him. The stature and general appearance of this Wanderer of the Western forests approached the gigantic. His chest was broad and prominent; his muscular powers displayed themselves in every limb; his countenance gave indication of his great courage, enterprise and perseverance; and when he spoke, the very motion of his lips brought the impression that whatever he uttered could not be otherwise than strictly true. I undressed, whilst he merely took off his hunting-shirt, and arranged a few folds of blankets on the floor, choosing rather to lie there, as he observed, than on the softest bed."
The word for word account Boone told Audubon of one of his adventures follows in the book.
At 124 years old !!! the book is in a solid Very Good condition. Wine colored cloth boards. Woodcut frontispiece of Boone. Stain on back board and two small stains on spine. (Please see photos). Former owner's name neatly in ink on front free endpaper. Binding is tight - pages are clean.
This book is very scarce!! If you think you would like it in your collection -
DON'T LET IT GET AWAY!!! BID NOW!!!
On May-20-08 at 03:29:16 PDT, seller added the following information:
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