The War in the Northwest 387 



gatherings there were always certain privileged char- 

 acters. At Abingdon these were to be found in the 

 persons of a hunter named Edward Callahan, and 

 his wife Sukey. As regularly as court-day came 

 round they appeared, Sukey driving a cart laden 

 with pies, cakes, and drinkables, while Edward, 

 whose rolls of furs and deer hides were also in the 

 cart, stalked at its tail on foot, in full hunter's 

 dress, with rifle, powder-horn, and bullet-bag, while 

 his fine, well-taught hunting-dog followed at his 

 heels. Sukey would halt in the middle of the street, 

 make an awning for herself and begin business, 

 while Edward strolled off to see about selling his 

 peltries. Sukey never would take out a license, and 

 so was often in trouble for selling liquor. The 

 judges were strict in proceeding against offenders 

 and even stricter against the unfortunate tories 

 but they had a humorous liking for Sukey, which 

 was shared by the various grand juries. By means 

 of some excuse or other she was always let off, 

 and in return showed great gratitude to such of 

 her benefactors as came near her mountain cabin. 35 

 Court-day was apt to close with much hard drink- 

 ing; for the backwoodsmen of every degree dearly 

 loved whiskey. 



35 Campbell MSS. ; an account of the "Town of Abingdon," 

 by David Campbell, who "first saw it in 1782." 



