Joseph Buck was one of the first pioneers of the northern part of the county. In 1790, he purchased a tract of land, warranted under the name “Sportsman’s Hall”, for eleven pounds, three shillings and sixpence.
Tradition states that Buck, while pretending to be friendly to the Indians, was in reality their most bitter enemy. It is said that he shot many an Indian secretly, but, concealing the deed, managed to keep on friendly terms with the rest. On one occasion he was hunting deer, and after following up the “lick” for some distance, suddenly came in sight of a deer, and further on in the same range was an Indian. Buck fired…and killed both. Knowing what his own fate would be if the murder of the Indian was discovered, he secreted the body as best he could and hastened home. Arriving there, he at once caught a hen and cut off its head, then taking a cloth and wetting it with the blood, he wrapped it around his foot and went to bed. Soon after, some Indians came to the door and asked Mrs. Buck where her husband was. She replied, “He is upstairs in bed; he has cut his foot dreadfully”. The Indians at once ascended the stairs, shook hands with Buck, and spoke pityingly of his unfortunate accident. Buck told them of his morning’s hunt, and where they would find the deer which he had shot. Of course he said nothing about the dead Indian. The red men volunteered to go and bring home the deer for him; and this they actually did, being glad to render him a favor.
(Source: History of Bedford, Somerset & Fulton Counties, PA; 1884)
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