Submitted by Lynn Greene
Boone in Kentucky- 1769-70
Copied from letter in pencil- postmarked "Irvine, KY"
E. P. Benton
Miller's Creek, Estill Co., KY- June 16, '84
L. C. Draper- Dear Sir:
A few days ago I rec'd your favor and books, --.
In answer to your inquiry about Station Camp Creek in this county, and Daniel Boone's camp on that creek- I will state that I am only 52 years old, and know nothing of my own knowledge - it is only hearsay. I am more or less acquainted with that creek and all its forks and branches. I was born on the Red Lick Fork of that creek, about 2 1/2 or 3 miles from the main creek, Feb. 20, 1832.
That creek, as I understand, took its name, Red Lick, from this circumstance. That Boone with a party of whites were camped in the forks between the main creek and Red Lick which is about 4 1/2 or 5 miles from the Kentucky River, some think it a little farther. While Boone and his party were camped there, on of their number went out to watch a deer lick not far off. Upon reaching the Lick, he discovered an Indian sitting on a rock; watching or trying to catch fish; and one report among the early settlers, was that he had deer, panther, buffalo, fish ----- Indian and could either to shoot at and he dropped the Indian off into the creek and made the creek red with blood. At least, I have always heard that at the mouth of Red Lick was the camp- which is now a field of cleared land, or 80 to 100 acres.
The whole country around it, on both sides of Station Camp and the Red Lick bottoms all cleared, and in a high state of cultivation. It was all then, I understand, covered with cane, large black walnut; poplar; hackberry; box elder, and the like growth of timer; and when cultivated, produced from ten to fifteen barrels of corn per acre.
The camp was at the foot of the mountains- the first mountains coming from the west to this camp of any height.
There is a fork on the Creek 1 1/2 or 2 miles below the mouth of the Red Lick, that was called Crooked Creek, and is yet so called. Next comes in the Middle Fork on the Southern side, as did the Red Lick, and both creeks head in a Southerly direction from the main creek. In fact, Crooked Creek, Red Lick, and Middle Fork all head south from the main creek.
Station Camp Creek is almost a little river, and is said to be the largest creek in Kentucky to have so many large forks that today send out yearly thousands of poplar, walnut, oak and pine logs. It was once rich in cedar, and still has some on the stream.
The Kentucky River runs through Estill County in a westerly direction, equally dividing the county in the center. Irvine, the county seat, is on the north side, on the banks of the Kentucky river, three or four hundred yards below the mouth of Station Camp Creek. One can stand in the town, and see up the Station Camp Valley three or four miles, and up the river valley two miles-covering lands worth from twenty five to fifty dollars per acre, with high mountains north east, south, and southeast, that are generally covered with the best forest, worth from $3 to $6 per acre.
There was a camp some three and a half miles above the one spoken of (Station Camp) that when the Indians left it, the whites would make it a day's travel from below Boonesborough to the War Fork of Station Camp Creek. It was on the War Fork where they did the principal fighting, from what I have learned-which was mostly from my parents, both now dead. They came to this county from North Carolina about 1793, and lived here until 1874. They were acquainted with all the early settlers and were they living, they could tell you all about Boone's Camp.
I will make you a map, if desired, of the camp and creek, in return for your presents. I have been for two weeks watching over my wife, sometimes despairing of her recovery.
E. P. Benton
Draper Manuscripts, p. 70, 70 (1), 70 (2), 70 (3) Boone Papers
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