Shot Outside The Spruce Creek Mill

Did you know? On May 12, 1778, Levi Hicks went out from his mill door at the mouth of Spruce Creek to see what was rustling in the leaves, and was shot through the heart.

During the Revolution Hicks operated the mill the Bebault brothers had built on the east side of the creek. In the spring of 1778, when Indians were reported to be about, his neighbours urged him to go to a fort, and he paid them no heed. On the morning of May 12 he started his mill as usual and went to the house for breakfast. He came back with a needle and thread to mend his moccasins and sat down in the mill door to do the work. He heard a rustling of leaves near the mill, and contrary to his custom he went to see what caused it.

Africa's 1883 county history says he left his wife in the mill; Jones's 1856 history of the Juniata Valley says she was in the house. Both say she heard the shot, ran down to the river, crossed at the fording, and made for Lytle's Fort.

Checked 2026-10-30 · County histories and primary sources, read in full

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