Indians Kill John Davidson

Extract from History of Tazewell County and southwest Virginia, 1748-1920 , Richmond: W.C. Hill Print. Co., 1920, p. 461-462

INDIANS KILL JOHN DAVIDSON

Some time in either 1789 or 1790, John Davidson, a man advanced in years, was killed by the Indians on the Clinch River, half a mile above the present town of North Tazewell. Mr. Davidson had been on a business visit to Rockingham County, Virignia, and was returning to his home when the murder was committed at a point near the present residence of Charles H. Peery.

The circumstances connected with the tragedy were afterwards made known by white persons who had been in captivity, and who were told by the Indians, when they were prisoners, how, and why, Mr. Davidson was killed. He had stopped at a deserted cabin to feed his horse, and while thus occupied was shot to death. The Indians also said that a white renegade was with them the horrible deed was done. It seems that the crime was a double one, as the Indians and their companion found a considerable amount of specie in the saddlebags of the old man which was stolen by the murderers. Bickley says:

"A few days after, his son, Col. Davidson, became uneasy on account of his absence, and raising a small company went in search of him. Luckily, when they got to the cabin, they found a hatband, which, being of peculiar structure, was recognized as that worn by Mr. Davidson. After considerable search, his body was found stripped of clothing, and somewhat disfigured by birds. As the Indians had too long been gone to be overtaken, Mr. Davidson was taken home and buried."

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