In the summer of 1820, Chester Harding, who of American artists is one of the most celebrated for the accuracy of his likenesses, paid a visit to Colonel Boone for the purpose of taking his portrait.  The Colonel was quite feeble, and had to be supported by a friend, the Rev. J.E.  Welsh, while sitting to the artist.[63]

This portrait is the original from which most of the engravings of Boone have been executed.  It represents him in his hunting-dress, with his large hunting-knife in his belt.  The face is very thin and pale, and the hair perfectly white; the eyes of a bright blue color, and the expression of the countenance mild and pleasing.

[Footnote 58:  An arpent of land is eighty-five-hundredths of an acre.]

[Footnote 59:  Lippincott’s Gazetteer.]

[Footnote 60:  The owners of the money of which he was robbed on his journey to Virginia, as already related, had voluntarily relinquished all claims on him.  This was a simple act of justice.]

[Footnote 61:  Peck.]

[Footnote 62:  Ibid.]

[Footnote 63:  Peck.  Life of Boone.]

CHAPTER XXIII.

Last illness, and death of Colonel Boone—­His funeral—­Account of his family—­His remains and those of his wife removed from Missouri, and reinterred in the new cemetery in Frankfort, Kentucky—­Character of Colonel Boone.

In September, 1820, Colonel Boone had an attack of fever, from which he recovered so as to make a visit to the house of his son, Major Nathan Boone.  Soon after, from an indiscretion in his diet, he had a relapse; and after a confinement to the house of only three days, he expired on the 26th of September, in the eighty-sixth year of his age.

He was buried in a coffin which he had kept ready for several years.  His remains were laid by the side of those of his deceased wife.  The great respect and reverence entertained toward him, attracted a large concourse from the neighboring country to the funeral.  The Legislature of Missouri, then in session, passed a resolution that the members should wear the badge of mourning usual in such cases for twenty days; and an adjournment for one day took place.

Colonel Boone had five sons and four daughters The two oldest sons, as already related, were killed by the Indians.  His third, Colonel Daniel Morgan Boone, resided in Missouri, and died about 1842, past the age of eighty.  Jesse Boone, the fourth son, settled in Missouri about 1805, and died at St. Louis a few years after.  Major Nathan Boone, the youngest child, resided for many years in Missouri, and received a commission in the United States Dragoons.  He was still living at a recent date.  Daniel Boone’s daughters, Jemima, Susannah, Rebecca, and Lavinia, were all married, lived and died in Kentucky.

In 1845 the citizens of Frankfort, Kentucky, having prepared a rural cemetery, resolved to consecrate it by interring in it the remains of Daniel Boone and his wife.  The consent of the family being obtained, the reinterment took place on the 20th of August of that year.