Students of local history in north central Pennsylvania are most familiar with the exploits of soldier, frontiersman, and Indian fighter Moses Van Campen. But his neighbor, Joseph Salmon was also a scout, frontier hero, Revolutionary War soldier and Indian fighter.

According to an October 1938 article in the Berwick Enterprise Newspaper, Salmon’s ancestors were Scotch and were knighted by Sir Robert Bruce in the 14^th Century.

Joseph Salmon’s life was detailed as part of a seventy-eight-part series of historical articles published in the newspaper in 1934 and 1935. Portions of his story are included in the newspaper account, beginning with his family’s settlement in the area of what is now Briar Creek, Columbia County.

“When a young man, he came to Briar Creek and was prominent in the service of Northumberland County from the beginning of the Revolutionary War. He was active in the defense of the early settlers along the Indian Trail that once followed the Susquehanna (River.)

The conflicts between the settlers and Native Americans are detailed in book after book of Pennsylvania history.

“It was in the midst of such a conflict. that around 1776, the Salmons built a cabin on the banks of a stream known from this circumstance, as Cabin Run, now Center Township. This cabin was destroyed three years later by a party of Indians from the Chillisaque, they having passed through the Fishing Creek Valley below Knob Mountain, and crossed Summer Hill through the *defile of Cabin Run. The Aikman cabin was destroyed at the same time. In the year 1778, at the time of the serious Indian trouble, Salmon was especially prominent. * (a very narrow valley between two mountains)

In April 1778, Joseph Salmon joined Major Van Campen, who had been sent from Fort Augusta, (at what is now Sunbury, but was then known as Shamokin) by Col. Hunter, to build a fort on the Fishing Creek for the protection of the settlers in that vicinity. They soon constructed a stockade of lags around the home of Isaiah Wheeler, large enough to accommodate the families of the neighborhood. When completed it took the name of "Fort Wheeler." It was situated at Paper Mill, near the present town of Light Street. There is nothing to indicate where the fort stood except the spring which remains; the fireplace was plowed under by the owner, Wiliam Creveling, years ago. The graveyard where the soldiers and Indians were buried after their skirmishes, about 30 rods from the site, is not cared for.

 Early references to Col. Joseph Salmon follow: "Col. Joseph Salmon a man of prominence was a scout and extraordinary in these times, when examples of courage were not rare, (and) married one of his (Wheeler's) daughters.

It is said an open rivalry existed between Major Van Campen and Salmon for her hand when Salmon distanced the then lieutenant and won the damsel."

Another notation: "The Salmons own considerable land; some being purchased as early as 1776 on the waters of the Green Briar Creek."

Another: "Joseph and Isaiah Salmon were widely and influential citizens and died honored and lamented by the community in which they lived."

Major Van Campen and Captain Salmon were good friends; they were also rivals for the hand of Mr. Wheeler's daughter, Ann. They conducted their rivalry in a friendly spirit, but the gallant Captain's Scotch tenacity was shown by his keeping the race he won. But Major Van Campen was not to be overdone, for he built another fort down the creek, around the home of the widow of James McClure who had a daughter, Margaretta. This girl became Mrs. Van Campen.

At this time, Captain Salmon lived on the North Branch, near Danville, on the main road. He was taken prisoner there on Sunday, March 8, 1781, by a party of Indians. After traveling a few days, his captors turned him over to another band of Indians, with whom was an old acquaintance of Salmon's, called Shenap. (Also reported to be a friend of Moses Van Campen)

This Shenap said to Salmon, "Solly, you shan’t be hurt." They soon fell in with a large body of savages, who had another prisoner named Williamson. These prisoners were in captivity for almost two years when they were compelled to run the gauntlet for freedom. Williamson refused and was beaten to death, but the brave Captain plunged through, receiving a few bruises, when Shenap came up and said, "Solly, you run like Debil -- you run like hoss." Salmon was exchanged in a short time, and returned to his home, with Shenap as his guide. They got as far as Knob Mountain, when Shenap said, "Now, Solly, you can find your way home." Captain Salmon reached his home in safety and continued to serve his country in the Northumberland County Militia until 1798.

An act was passed granting to Joseph Salmon a tract of land in remuneration for his services, and suffering during the Revolutionary War, Captain Salmon finally took his family to a farm near Light Street, and there he became prominent in public affairs, and agricultural interests.

He and his wife died at this place and are buried in Hidlay cemetery. The Salmon’s owned considerable land in this vicinity, some of it being purchased as early as 1776. Captain Salmon's son, Isaiah, lived and died on a farm in Briar Creek Township, near Fowlersville. Isaiah and his wife are also buried in Hidlay cemetery.