HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES - 125 of their own people, but he would aid them in any way to the full extent of his ability to make good the defense of their forts and settlements. He of course, would maintain the general. military direction arid control. The final arrangement was that the regular troops were to remain at Fort Pitt and Fort McIntosh. and the militia were to patrol the frontiers from Pittsburgh to Wheeling. The Lieutenants of Ohio and Monongalia counties having received no instructions from the Executive of Virginia to call out the militia upon Irvine's requisition as the Pennsylvania Lieutenants had, it was agreed to have them act as volunteers until that authority could be obtained. Reports were made by the officers of the condition of supplies of the different forts, stations, and block-houses, and of the forces which, could be rallied to their defense. The Washington county Lieutenant and militia remained at Fort Henry until some time in April, when they were relieved, and the fort placed in charge of Col. Ebenezer Zane. On the 22d of July there were only five Ohio county militia in garrison, anid shortly afterwards even these ceased to occupy the fortress as a regularly employed force, but took their place among the other citizens liable to military duty when the emergency should arise calling them to action. The State of Virginia furnished at different times an ample supply of ammunition for the use of the fort, but when Col. Zane took command his first care was to replenish the stock in view of the probable necessity of its use at any time, if the expected inroad of the savages should occur. He accordingly made an immediate application to General Irvine for an additional supply of powder, and received directions to draw the quantity desired .from a lot which had just been forwarded to Mingo bottom for Col. Marshall, of Washington county. On applying to that functionary it was ascertained that the powder had been received and was already distributed to the militia. This made necessary the following REQUISITION OF COL. ZANE ON GEN. IRVINE FOR POWDER. " WHEELING, July 22, 1782. "SIR: I applied to Colonel Marshall for powder to furnish this garrison of that you have sent to Mingo bottom. He tells me it is already issued to the Militia, which lays us under the ne-cessity of applying once more to you for thirty or forty pounds. Any powder you may now furnish for the use of this garrison I will undertake to account for and replace if not burnt at the enemy. "Five militia are all the strength we have at present, except the inhabitants of the place. A few Indians have been view-ing our garrison yesterday and have returned on their back track, in consequence of which, we may shortly expect an attack. any aid can be afforded, it will be very acceptable ; if it cannot, we mean to support the place or perish in the attempt. I am, with due respect, your obedient, humble servant, "EBENEZER ZANE. "WILLIAM IRVINE, Brigadier General, Commanding Western Department, Fort Pitt." The occasional presence of several Indians in frontier towns was not so rare an occurrence as to call for the special mention made by Col. Zane, but their inspection of the fort and garrison and perhaps some suspicious actions, as well as the general impression prevailing of the plans of the savages put the wary. Colonel on his guard. Doubtless it was these apprehensions of mischief and the precautionary measures adopted in consequence, that really prevented, in the end, a surprise of the set-tlement such as occurred in 1777. INDIAN COUNCIL AT CHILLICOTHE. Up to this time in the current year (1782) the border settlements had only suffered from the desultory attacks of several bands of savages, such as had been accustomed to commit depredations on the border for years past. No large bodies of Indians had crossed the river threatening the destruction of the forts, which were the refuge and defence of the inhabitants. But this immunity from attack was not of long duration. In August a grand council was held at Chillicothe in which the Wyandots, Shawanese, Mingoes, Pottowatamies, and various other tribes were represented. -Simon Girty, and - McKee, the white renegades also took part in the proceedings. It is said the council was convened to determine the course of the tribes in view of the probable close of the war between the United States and Great Britain. The surrender of Cornwallis now become known to them and its probable effect in bringing a conclusion to the war. In this event, they were to expect that Virginia would immediately bring all her power to crush the tribes which had harrassed her border and murdered her people all through the war. Simon Girty, it is claimed used all of his exertions at this meeting to secure a continuance of the war, reciting to them tneir wrongs, the encroachments of the whites, the value of Kentucky as a hunting ground, the necessity of combining their strength to regain possession of their lands and prevent the final loss of their homes and means of living, and extinction as a people. His speech was well received and it was determined to continue the war. Immediately on the close of the council the chiefs and warriors arranged for two armies, one of six hundred to operate against Kentucky, the other of three hundred and fifty men to act against North Western Virginia. Both were amply supplied with the munitions of war. Towards the last of August the warriors which were to operate against Kentucky, appeared before Bryant's Station south of Licking river, under command of Simon Girty. The final discomfiture of this force at Bryant's Station and the subsequent disaster at Blue Lick, it is not proposed to narrate in detail here, but were brave and gallant struggles against largely superior numbers. The other army, designed to operate against North Western Virginia, for a time delayed their purpose and did not set out on the march until subsequent to the Kentucky expedition. On the march the question arose as to what part of the country they should invade and so serious became their divisions that many warriors had concluded to abandon the expedition and return home, when messengers arrived with accounts of the successes of the army in Kentucky, which changed their determination and they proceeded hastily towards Wheeling. SIEGE OF FORT HENRY, SEPTEMBER 11TH, 1782. About three o'clock on the afternoon of Wednesday, the 11th day of September, John Lynn, a celebrated spy of the border, who had been engaged in watching the paths northwest of the Ohio leading toward the settlement, discovered a large force of Indians, marching with great expedition for Wheeling. He hastened immediately to warn the inhabitants of the danger impending over them swimming the river and reaching the village but a little while before the savage army made its appearance. In the absence of a regular garrison the defence of the fort had been entrusted to the militia residing in or near the village and those of the inhabitants who sought security within its walls, under the direction of Col. Ebenezer Zane in command of the post. Immediately despatching Capt. Boggs as an express messenger to warn the neighboring settlements and solicit relief and reinforcements for their slender garrison, Col. Zane directed the settlers to repair at once to the fort, the command of which was confided to his brother Col. Silas Zane. Col. Ebenezer Zane retired into his own dwelling, which he had built for purposes of defence as well as for a residence. It stood at right angles with the fort, distant some sixty yards to the southeast, and was in structure a regular block-house, pierced with loop-holes for musketry. " It contained the mili-tary stores which had been furnished by the Government of Virginia, and the military authorities of the Department, and as it was admirably situated as an outpost from which to annoy the savages, in their onsets he resolved on maintaining possession of it, as well as to aid in the defence of the fort, as for the preservation of the ammunition. Andrew Scott, George Greer, Mr. Zane, Molly Scott and Miss McColloch, were all who remained with him. The kitchen, adjoining, was occupied by Sam, a negro belonging to Col. Zane and Kate his wife. "* So short was the time which elapsed' between the alarm by Lynn and the appearance of the Indians, that only those who were immediately present, were able to retire into the fort. Capt. Boggs informed Col. Marshall, at. Washington, that he heard the firing before he was a mile and a half from the town on his mission for relief. The hurry consequently, did not permit the bringing in of any of the neighboring inhabitants to augment the garrison, and when the attack began, there were not more than twenty effective men within its walls, to oppose the assaults of the be-sieging host. Scarcely were the people of the village gathered within the fortress before the savages appeared. Finding, from the move-ments about the fort, that intelligence of its approach had been *Withers. 126 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. received, and that a surprise or ambuscade was impossible, the arm.y marched boldly and quickly forward. As they came in sight of the garrison, the red uniforms of the British soldiers were quickly discerned in the van, while amid the ranks of the dusky warriors who followed, and tossing to and fro in the evening breeze, was seen the proud and historic banner of Britain, victorious on so many honorable fields of Continental Europe, but now lending the sanction of its presence to the barbarous and cruel warfare of the savage. The besieging host numbered forty British soldiers, under the command of Capt. Pratt, and two hundred and sixty Indian warriors, commanded by George Girty. They quickly formed their lines of investment around the garrison, and, advancing their colors, made a demand for the surrender of the fort. This was promptly refused, and the refusal emphasized by the firing of several shots at their standard by order of Silas Zane. The Indians immediately opened fire upon the fort and rushed forward to the assault with great impetuosity. They were met by a brisk and well directed fire from the garrison and house, which soon drove them back in confusion. Rallying their hosts, they again rushed forward and were again repulsed. Both the fort and the house were well supplied with arms, and the great exertions of the women, in molding bullets, loading guns and handing them to the men, enabled them to fire so rapidly, yet effectively, as to supply in some measure their lack in numbers and cause the savages to recoil from every charge. The fort had also a small cannon, mounted as a swivel gun, which was a very efficient aid in repelling their attacks. The enemy, it is said, at first took it to be a wooden dummy intended to deceive them into keeping a respectful distance, but when the swivel sent its messengers of death so swiftly into their ranks they were confounded and dismayed. At the very first shot Capt. Pratt called to his men to stand clear saying he had heard cannon before, and this was no make believe affair. The fire from the house of Col. Zane had also been very galling. It occupied just the position to afford the greatest service to the beleaguered garrison, as, at every attempt to assault or storm the fort, the enemy were met with a hot enfilading fire which was peculiarly destructive and demoralizing to the assailants. Taught prudence by the severe reception they met with in the assault, the savages retired back toward the base of the hill, where, under the protection of the forest, they maintained a constant fire upon the fort until darkness intervened, when it ceased, and the garrison was left for a short time undisturbed. So severely, however, had they suffered from the fire poured upon them from Col. Zane's house that they determined to seize the opportunity of the darkness to set it afire and destroy it. "For this purpose, when all was quietness and silence a savage with a firebrand in his hand, crawling to the kitchen and raising himself from the ground, waving the torch to and fro to rekindle its flame, and about to apply it to the building, received a shot which forced him to let fall the engine of destruction and hobble howling away. The vigilance of Sam had detected him in time to thwart his purpose." Little repose had the anxious garrison that night. Aside from the constant vigilance necessary to prevent any attempt of the cunning savages to scale or undermine the pickets and penetrate the enclosure, they were called upon actively to resist their impetuous attacks through the night, madc doubly difficult by the surrounding darkness. Their fear of the cannon and the severe reception they met with at the hands of the little garrison and the few men stationed in Col. Zane's house, in their first onslaught, made the leaders chary of again risking a direct assault in daytime. About twelve o'clock at night, however, under cover of the thick darkness, they made a furious assault on the pickets to capture the place by storm. Swarming up to the gates, and filling the night with their fearful and hideous yells they rushed hard upon the palisades, expecting, through the breach, to massacre the brave and gallant defenders of the fortress. But their purpose failed of success. The pickets resisted the attempt to break them down, and the rapid and well directed fire from the garrison and house caused them to beat a speedy retreat before they were able to batter the walls of the stockade. Two other attempts were made to effect an entrance by storm during the night, the gallant defenders keeping to their guns, and the noble women discharging all the duties of soldiers with the spirit and alacrity of true heroines the whole night through. When daylight returned the savages were still found surrounding the fort, and although they delayed a renewal of their attacks it was evident that they had not yet given up their at-tempts for its reduction. Indeed it was apparent that they were engaged in some preparations on which they placed great hopes. About eight o'clock a man was observed stealing towards the fort, when a woman named House seized a gun and wounded him severely. He proved to be a negro seeking to desert from. the enemy, and being near the gate his cries and entreaties induced his admission, although he was strictly guarded lest he might prove to be a spy. He gave full information of the force of the enemy and their intentions so far as known. When the firing of the preceding day had subsided a small boat proceeding from Fort Pitt to the Falls of the Ohio with cannon balls for the use of the troops there, put to shore at Wheeling. It does not appear, but is most likely that the boat was stopped in her progress by a fire from the Indian pickets who were set to watch and cut off any attempts to succor or reinforce the garrison, and the person in charge of her naturally sought to effect his landing where he could seek safety in the fortress. He proved to be a man named Daniel Sullivan, and was successful in reaching the fortress and gaining admission into it, although the savages gave him a hard chase and wounded him severely in the foot. The boat of course fell into the hands of the enemy and they determined. at once to use the balls to destroy the fortress. Accordingly they procured a hollow log, suiting the ball as near as possible, and bound it closely and heavily with chains obtained from the blacksmith's shop in the village, wedging it tightly, and fancied they had a cannon which would deal death and destruction upon their foes. This they loaded heavily and pointing it at the fort, ap-plied the match. A fearful explosion followed, but instead of destroying their enemies expected; it was only the occasion of disaster to themselves. Their cannon had burst—pieces flew in every direction—several were killed, many wounded and all dismayed by the event. " Recovering from the shock, and furious with rage and disappointment, they returned to the charge pressing up to the assault with the madness of despair. But they were received with a fire so constant and deadly that they were again forced. to retire, and, as it proved, most opportunely for the garrison. When Lynn gave the alarm that an Indian army was approaching, the fort having been for some time unoccupied by a garrison, and Col. Zane's house being used as a magazine, those who had retired into the fortress had to take with them a supply of ammunition for its defence. The supply of powder, deemed ample at the time, by reason of the long continuance of the savages, and the repeated endeavors made by them to storm the fort, was now almost entirely exhausted, a few loads only remaining. In this emergency, it became necessary to re-plenish their stock from the abundance of that article in Col. Zane's house. During the continuance of the last assault, apprized of its insecurity and aware of the danger which would inevitably ensue, should the savages, after being again driven back, return to the assault before a fresh supply could be obtained, it was proposed that one of their fleetest men should endeavor to reach the house, obtain a keg and return with it to the fort. It was an enterprise full of danger, but many of the chivalric spirits then pent up within the fortress, were willing to encounter them all. Among those who volunteered to go on this enterprise, was Elizabeth, the younger sister of Col. Zane. She was then young, active and athletic ; with precipitancy to dare danger and fortitude to sustain her in the midst of it. Disdaining to weigh the hazard of her own life against the risk of that of others, when told that a man would encounter less danger by reason of his greater fleetness, she replied : "And should he fall, his loss will be more severely felt. You have not one man to spare ; a woman will not be missed in the defence of the fort." Her services were accepted. Divesting herself of some of her garments, as tending to impede her progress she stood prepared for the hazardous adventure ; and when the gate was opened she bounded forth with the buoyancy of hope, and in the confidence of success. Wrapt in amazement the Indians beheld her spring forward, and only exclaiming, " a squaw, a squaw," no attempt was made to interrupt her progress. Arrived at the door she proclaimed her embassy. Col. Zane fastened a table cloth around her waist, and emptying into it a keg of powder, again she ventured forth. The Indians were no longer passive. Ball after ball passed whizzing and innocuous by. She reached the gate and entered the fort in safety. This heroine had but HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 127 recently returned from Philadelphia, where she had received her education and was totally unused to such scenes as were daily exhibited-on the frontier."* " The pages of history may furnish a, parallel to the noble exploit of Elizabeth Zane, but an instance of greater self-devotion is not to be found anywhere." † "Another instance of heroic daring deserves to be recorded here. When intelligence of the investiture of Wheeling by the savages reached Shepherd fort, a party was immediately detached from it to try and gain admission into the besieged fortress, and aid in its defence. Upon arriving in view, it was found that the attempt would be hopeless and unavailing; and the detachment consequently proposed to return. Francis Duke, son-in-law to Col. Shepherd, was unwilling to turn his back upon a people straightened as he knew the besieged must be, and declared his intention of endeavoring to reach the fort, that he might contribute to its defence. It was useless to dissuade him from the attempt : he knew its danger, but he also knew their weakness, and putting spurs to his horse rode briskly forward, calling aloud, " open the gate open the gate." He was seen from the fort, and the gate was loosed for his admission; but he did not live to reach it. Pierced by the bullets of the savages, he fell, to the regret of all." He perished untimely, but with a noble daring which deserved a better fate. Let his name be forever preserved in the annals of the border as one of the choice and heroic spirits who yielded their lives in its defence. The Indians still maintained the siege by keeping up a con-tinual fire the whole day, with scarcely an intermission. Whenever a tree, or log, or bush could shelter a savage within gunshot of the fort, they were to be found firing at every aperture likely to conceal a foe. They seemed to have a special spite at the elevated tower called the sentry box, and directed frequent shots towards it. Elizabeth Zane, who occupied one of these boxes with her brother Jonathan, and a man named Salter, to load their rifles, frequent' told in subsequent years how she would have t stop in her work, to pull out the splinters torn off the white the bullets of the savages, and driven into the flesh. About ten o'clock that night, the enemy made another fierce attempt to carry the works by storm, but it was of no avail. They were driven back in a bloody repulse, by the sharp firing of the affort the few brave men in Col. Zane's house. It was their last effort, and despairing of success, they determin-ed to raise the siege. Leaving one hundred men to scour and lay waste the country, the remainder of the army, on the morning ot the 13th, retreated across the Ohio and encamped at the Indian spring, five miles from the river. Their loss in the various assaults upon the fort and in the siege could not be ascertained, doubtless very considerable. Of the garrison none were killed and but tiff̊ wounded—the heroic Francis Duke being the only white man killed during the siege belonging to the county. It is impossible to over estimate the brave and gallant manner in which the defense was conducted. The men and women who stood to their posts for nearly two days and nights with scarcely an intermission, fighting against fearful odds, and the skill of British officers and soldiers, combined with the cunning and impetuosity of the savages, deserve the highest encomiums. When it is considered that the siege was the most prolonged, and the besieging hosts the largest and most formidable which attacked the North Western frontier during the revolution, the steady manner in which they were constantly driven back in bloody repulse by such a feeble force, should excite the greatest admiration. Where every one did their part so nobly it might seem invidious to specially designate those who contributed most prominently to this happy result, though some early writers do not hesitate to say that "to the caution and good conduct of those few brave individuals who occupied Col. Zane's house, its preservation is mainly attributed." This siege was in reality the last battle of the revolution, and it is certain that the last shot fired by a British soldier in that war was fired at old Fort Henry in Wheeling. The next day (14th) after ascertaining their losses, Col. Zane immediately sent an express with his report of the military operations at the siege, which is herewith appended. COL. ZANE'S MILITARY REPORT OF THE SIEGE TO GEN. IRVINE. WHEELING, 14th September, 1782. "SIR : On the evening of the 11th instant a body of the enemy appeared in sight of our garrison. They immediately *Withers—Appendix A. † McKiernan. formed their lincs around the garrison, paraded British colors, and demanded the fort to be surrendered, which was refused. About twelve o'clock at night they rushed hard on the pickets, in order to storm, but were repulsed. They made two other attempts to storm, before day, to no purpose. About eight o'clock next morning, there came a negro from them to us, and informed us that their force consisted of a British Captain and forty regular soldiers, and two hundred and sixty Indians. The enemy kept a continual fire the whole day. About ten o'clock at night they made a fourth attempt to storm, to no better purpose than the former. The enemy continued around the garrison till the morning of the 13th in-stant, when they disappeared. Our loss is none. Daniel Sullivan, who arrived here in the first of the action is wounded in the foot. I believe they have driven the greatest part of our stock away and might, I think, be soon overtaken. I am, with due respect, your obedient servant, EBENEZER ZANE. To WILLIAM IRVINE, Brigadier General, Commanding Western Department, Fort Pitt. In this connection the following letters from the Lieutenant of Washington county, giving the commanding General the intelligence of the attack received by express from Wheeling, are here inserted. LETTER FROM JAMES MARSHALL, LIEUTENANT OF WASHINGTON CO., PA., TO GENERAL IRVINE. THURSDAY, September 12, 1782. DEAR SIR: "By an express this moment arrived from Wheeling, I have received the following intelligence, namely: That a large trail, by supposition about two hundred Indians, was dis-covered yesterday about three o'clock near to that place. Capt. Boggs, who brought the account, says that when he had left the fort about one mile and a half he heard the swivel at Wheeling fired and one rifle. He further says that Ebenezer McCulloch, from. Van Meter's fort, on his way to Wheeling, got within one half a mile of the place shortly after Boggs left it, where he was alarmed by hearing a heavy and constant fire about the fort, and makes no doubt the fort was then attacked. * * * * * * I am, etc., "JAMES MARSHALL. "GEN'L IRVINE "Fort Pitt." LETTER FROM JAMES MARSHALL, LIEUTENANT OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PA., TO GENERAL IRVINE.* "SUNDAY MORNING, September 15, 1782. "DEAR SIR: You may depend upon it as matter of fact that a large party of Indians are now in our county. Last night I saw two deserters who made their escape from Wheeling in time of the action, and they say the enemy consists of two hundred and thirty-eight Indians .and forty rangers, the latter commanded by a British officer; that they attacked Wheeling fort on Wednesday night, and continued the attack until Thursday night, at which time the deserters left them. That fort, they say, was the principal object of the enemy; but it appears, both from their account and the enemy's advancing into the country, that they have despaired of taking it. * * * * * * Excuse haste; from, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, "JAMES MARSHALL. "GEN'L IRVINE, "Fort Pitt." APPENDIX A. THE POWDER EXPLOIT. The narrative of this incident given in the text was the unquestioned and accepted history of that event, for the period of sixty-seven years immediately following. It was currently related in the society and neighborhood where the occurrence transpired, by different persons claiming to have been eye witnesses ; was early and widely published in newspapers and * These letters are found in the " Washington-Irvine" collection. The original manu-script is in the hands of C. W. Butterfield, Esq., to whom we are indebted for a copy and other important favors. 128 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. local histories during the lifetime, and with the knowledge of many of the actors in the siege, and without contradiction or question so far as any record appears, but with universal credit; and it remains to-day in the family traditions of most of those who are known to have been present in the fort at the time, as the only correct account. In 1840, however, Mrs. Lydia Cruger, then a venerable woman of 84 years, made a statement, giving a different version of this incident and naming another person as the heroine. As Mrs. Cruger's statement was unsupported by any corroborative evidence whatever, was made many years after every one who had personal knowledge of the event was dead, and when she herself was in extreme old age, it can, of course effect nothing. But in order that our readers may be put in possession of such data as still remains, and form their own judgment in the premises, we append below all the infor-mation we have been able to gather about it. Several of the documents having a bearing on this matter, have never before been published. They have been secured by us from the military papers of Brig. Gen'l Irvine, then (1782) in command of the Western Department, after an earnest and protracted effort to procure everything reliable, which could throw light upon the subject. Others of our documents are taken from an article published in the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, by Mr. W. C. Brockunier. DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE. 1. The letter of Col. Ebenezer Zane to Gen'l Irvine, July 22d, 1782, published on page 125, wherein he makes application for powder for the fort, and 'undertakes to become personally responsible for it, that none of it should be used except what was "burnt at the enemy," which would imply that he took it into his own keeping. 2. The letter of Col. Zane to Gen'l Irvine, Sept. 14th, 1782, page 127, giving his report of the siege, showing at that date he still remained in command of the fort. 3d. The letter of Col. Marshall, Lieut. of Washington County, to Gen'l Irvine, dated Sept. 12th, 1782, mentions the arrival of Capt. Boggs as "Express Messenger" from Wheeling, and that he heard the guns before he was a mile and a half out of town. THE EARLIEST NARRATIVES OF THE EVENT it will be obvious to all minds, if published in the life time of the actors in the event, and in their vicinity, possess opportu-nities of presenting a correct narrative, which subsequent accounts do not have. Their sources of information are more ample the events are fresher in their memory, and opportunities for correction, or criticism, or protest by interested parties, are such as must secure a very great degree of accuracy. Several of these accounts filling the prescribed conditions we append below. The first in order is the ACCOUNT FROM THE CALDWELLS IN 1797. In 1797, Meshack Browning then employed by Mr. John Caldwell, of Wheeling, received from him and his daughter Nancy, accounts of various incidents in the Indian wars about Wheeling, some of which he subsequently published in a narrative of his own adventures. As he left Wheeling in 1798, and, living in the mountain wilderness, the rest of his life, never saw any published accounts of these events, his relation of them, derived from eye-witnesses within a very few years of their occurrence, have a special value. After detailing how her father and mother and herself were compelled to leave their place on Caldwell's run and go "up to the town fort " for protection, etc., she tells of the incident of the powder, saying: "The powder becoming scarce it was proposed that some one should run for a supply, and among the volunteers for that dangerous journey was a sister of Col. Zane's, who said she would go. This, however, was objected to, and the young men insisted on going themselves. But she was firm in her purpose, and replied that the loss of a woman would be less felt than the loss of a man. And pinning up her dress to let her feet have fair play in the race, off she went. But the Indians astonished at the sight, did not fire a single shot at her. Soon she had secured plenty of powder in a slim belt round her waist and off she bounded again. But the enemy, seeing her returning, suspected some mischief, and fired a volley of balls after her; all of which missed her, and she reached her destination in safety, with plenty of powder to carry through the siege." It will be observed that this account was given about fifteen years after the event. One of the earliest published narratives of this episode is following ACCOUNT FROM THE SCIOTO GAZETTE, NOVEMBER, 1802, which we take from a little paper then published at Chi cothe, Ohio. The article is entitled " Brave Women of Frontier." "A Philadelphia paper has recently published a full account of the attack on the fort at Wheeling in the fall of 1782, from which we extract an incident which we have repeatedly heard related, one of our informants being an eye witness. It is: only on( the many which will be handed down to tire future histories of the noble deeds and feats of daring the heroines of frontier have performed. "When the alarm was given by a ranger that the Indians were coming, the fort having for some time been unoccupied by a garrison, and Colonel Zane's house, which stood near having been used for a magazine, those who retired into the I had to take with them a supply of ammunition for its defen The powder became exhausted by reason of the long siege. this emergency it became necessary to renew the stock from the abundant store in Zane's house. Accordingly it was I posed that one of the fleetest men should endeavor to reach house, obtain the powder, and return to the fort. Col. Zane's sister was in the fort and at once volunteered to bring the p( der. She was young, active and athletic, with courage to d anything. On being told that one of the men would run I risk by reason of his fleetness, she replied, Should he fall loss will be more severely felt ; you have no men to spare, and a woman will not be missed in defending the fort.' She then told to go, and divesting herself of some heavy clothing, started out through the gate like a deer. The sight so amazed the savages that they cried," squaw," squaw,' and not a shot was fired at her. Arriving at the house, Colonel Zane fastened a cloth about her waist, and poured into it. a quantity of p( der, when she again ventured out. The Indians now discovered the object of the squaw, and bullet after bullet whiz, past her head. She reached the fort in safety, although a bullet hole was found in her dress. The powder enabled the brave little band to hold out against the besiegers, who were at I compelled to retire without having accomplished their object "Withers' Chronicles of Border Warfare" contains, it is believed, the first published account, in book form, of the two sieges Fort Henry and the events connected therewith. So far, least, as the "Powder Exploit" is concerned, all the parties, any way interested in the correct narrative of 'that episode one of the sieges, were living at the time of its publicatication and for several years afterward. At that date Elizabeth Zane, Mrs. Cruger, Molly Scott and many other inmates of the fort who were witnesses of the exploit, were all living in Wheeling or its immediate vicinity. From the fact that names are given, and their location and duties at the time of the siege, it can safely inferred that these facts were gathered from the part themselves. The publication must have been generally known as, it is understood, it excited much interest, anid, in some cases; was used as a. reading book in schools. The author, Col. Alexander S. Withers, belonged to the Virginia family of that name, of which the present United State Senator Withers, of Virginia, is a distinguished member. Her came West to write the history of the western portion of Virginia, and spent several years gathering materials. Subsequent historians have drawn their most important data from him, His work shows him to have been a careful, industrious, conscientious and painstaking historian, while his style., and espe-cially his long introduction to the work, exhibits the culture of a fine classical scholar and a well informed man. The following is from WITHERS' ACCOUNT : "On the first of September (1782) John Lynn (a celebrated spy, and the same who had been with Capt. Foreman at the time of the fatal ambuscade at Grave creek) being engaged in watching the warriors' paths, northwest of the Ohio; discovered the Indians marching with great expedition for Wheeling, and hastened to warn the inhabitants of the danger which was threatening them, swam the river, and reached the village but a little while before the savage army made its appearance. The fort was at this time without any regular garrison, and depended for defence exclusively upon the excrtions of those who sought security within its walls. The brief space of time which elapsed between the alarm by Lynn and the arrival of the Indians, permitted only those who were immediately present to HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 129 retire into it, and when the attack was begun to be made there were not within its palisades twenty effective men to oppose the assult. The dwelling house of Col. Ebenezer Zane, standing about forty yards from the fort, contained the military stores which had been furnished by the government of Virginia; and as it was admirably situated as an outpost from which to annoy the savages in their onsets, he resolved on maintaining possession of it, as well to aid in the defence of the fort as for the preservation of the. ammunition. Andrew Scott, George Green, Mrs. Zane Molly Scott and Miss McColloch were all who remained with him. The kitchen, adjoining, was occupied by Sam, a, negro belonging. to Col. Zane, and Kate, his wife. Col. Silas Zane commanded at the fort. When Lynn gave the alarm that an Indian army was approaching, the fort having been for some time unoccupied by a garrison, and Col. Zane's house being used as a. magazine, those who retired into the fortress had to take with them a supply of ammunition for its defense. The supply of powder, deemed ample at the time, by reason of the long continuance of the savages, and the repeated endeavors made by tnem to storm the fort, was now almost entirely exhausted, a few loads only, remaining. In this emergency, it became necessary to replenish their stock from the abundance of that article in Col. Zane's house. During the continuance of the last assault, apprized of its scarcity, and aware of the danger which would inevitably ensue, should the savages, after being driven back, return to the assault before a fresh supply of powder could be obtained, it was proposed that one of the fleetest men should endeavor to reach the house, obtain a keg and return with it to the fort. It was an enterprise full of dangers ; but many of the chivalric spirits, then pent up within the fortress were willing to encounter them all. Among those who volunteered to go on this emprise was Elizabeth Zane, the younger sister of Col. Zane. She was then young, active and athletic ; with precipitancy to dare danger, and fortitude to sustain her in the midst of it. Disdaining to weigh the hazard of her own life against the risk of tnat of others, when told that a man Would encounter less danger by reason of his greater fleetness she re lied : " And should he fall, his loss will be more severely felt." Her services were accepted. Divesting herself of some of her garments, as tending to impede her progress, she stood prepared for the hazardous adventure and when the gate was opened, she bounded forth with the buoyancy of hope, and in the confidence of success. Warpt in amazement, the Indians beheld her spring forward, to interrupt her progress. Arrived at the door, she proclaimed embassy. Col. Zane fastened to interrupt her progress. Arrived at the door, she proclaimed her embassy. Col. Zane fastened a table cloth around her waist, and emptying into it a keg of powder, again she ventured forth. The Indians were no longer passive. Ball after ball passed whizzling and innocuous by. She reached the gate and entered the fort in safety. [In a foot note he adds : " This heroine had but recently returned from Philadelphia, where she had received her education, and was totally unused to such scenes as were daily exhibiting on the frontier. She afterwards became the wife of a Mr. McLaughlin; and he dying, married a Mr. Clark, and is yet living in Ohio.] With every opportunity for correction there is no record of any dispute, or protest, or doubt of the entire accuracy of this narrative, by any person whatever either at the time of its publication, or subsequently up to 1849, though many were liv-ing, who had personal or traditionary knowledge of the facts. A number of years afterwards Col. Geo. S. McKiernan under-took the task of gathering materials for a new history of the early settlement of Wheeling, and independently of. his predecessors in the same paths sought nis information from original sources. From it we extract his account of the incident showing what he says was the "unanimous" testimony of "old pioneers," wno survived until that date (1832-1836): M'KIERNAN'S ACCOUNT. "The stock of gunpowder in the fort having been nearly exhausted, it was determined to seize the favorable opportunity offered by the suspension of hostilities to send for a keg of powder which was known to be in the house of Ebenezer Zane, about sixty yards from the gate of the fort. The 'person execut-ing the service would necessarily expose himself to the danger of being shot down by the Indians, who were yet sufficiently near to observe everything that transpired about the works. The Colonel explained the matter to his men, and unwilling to order one of them to undertake such a desperate enterprise, in- 17-B. & J. COS. quired whether any man would volunteer for the service. Three or four young men promptly stepped forward in obedience to the call. The Colonel informed tnem that the weak state of the garrison would not justify the absence of more than one man, and that it was for themselves to decide who that person should be. The eagerness felt by each volunteer to undertake the honorable mission prevented them from making the arrangement proposed by the commandant, and so much time was consumed in the contention that fears began to arise that the Indians would renew the attack before the powder could be procured. A t. this crisis a young lady, the sister of Ebe-nezer and Silas Zane, came forward and desired that she might be permitted to execute the service. This proposition seemed so extravagant that it met with a peremptory refusal, but she instantly renewed her petition in terms of redoubled earnest-ness, and all the remonstrances of the Colonel and her relatives failed to dissuade her from her heroic purpose. It was finally represented to her that either of the young men on account of. his superior fleetness and familiarity with scenes of danger would be more likely than herself to do the work successfully. She replied that the danger which would attend the enterprise was the identical reason that induced her to offer her services, for, as the garrison was very Weak no soldier's life should be placed in needless jeopardy, and that if she were to fall her loss would not be felt. Her petition was ultimately granted, and the gate opened for her to pass out. The opening of the gate . arrested the attention of several Indians who were straggling througn the village. It was noticed that their eyes were upon her as she crossed the open space to reach her brother's. house; but seized, perhaps, with a sudden freak of clemency, or believing that a woman s life was not worth a load of gunpowder . or influenced by some other unexplained motive, they permitted her to pass without molestation. When she re-appeared with the powder in her arms the Indians, suspecting, no doubt, the character of her burden, elevated their fire-locks and discharged a volley at her as she swiftly glided towards the gate, but the balls all flew wide of the mark, and the fearless girl reached the fort in safety with her prize. The pages of history may furnish a parallel to the noble exploit of Elizabeth Zane, but an instance of greater self devotion and moral intrepidity is not to be found anywhere." Concerning his sources of information for the foregoing sketch Col. McKiernan wrote under date of August 28, 1876, the following: M'KIERNAN'S STATEMENT. "I began my researches in 1832. The persons froth. whom I received my most valuable information were Mrs. Shepherd (afterwards Mrs. Cruger), Hugh Mitchell, Alexander Mitchell, John Brady, John Good, Archibald Woods, Mrs. Cresap, of Fish creek; Joseph Caldwell and others. Of these persons Mrs. Cruger only bad any personal knowledge of the siege, though some of the individuals' named were boys at the time. They had all known and conversed with those present at the siege. When I first knew Mrs. Cruger she was bright and sparkling as a young woman. In her later days her memory became confused. She assured Mr. Draper, for instance, in 1846, that John McColloch was the hero of the leap over Wheeling hill instead of his brother Sam. This was worse than ridiculous, for Sam was a famous Indian fighter in 1777, while John was a mere lad. From the interesting nature of the incident of carrying the powder, I made it the subject of inquiry in my interviews with all those persons, and I am quite certain that Mrs. Cruger did not attribute the powder exploit to Molly Scott or to any one but Betsy Zane neither did any other of the old inhabitants. There is not the shadow of a doubt in my mind that she and not Molly Scott was the heroine of the powder keg. In fact I never heard any of the old pioneers mention the name of Molly Scott. They were unanimous in giving the honor to Miss Zane. " Noah and Daniel Zane were the only members of that family, born in the last century, who survived until my time. The former was an invalid, unamiable in disposition and averse to intrusion. I never felt bold enough to go into his presence. I talked to Daniel Zane, but the impression now on my mind is tnat his knowledge of the history of Wheeling was not comprehensive. " When I prepared my sketch for publication I had an abiding faith in its truth, and nothing has since occurred to weaken that opinion." As corroborative of the accounts given in the early histories 130 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON. COUNTIES, OHIO. of this event and cited above, we append the following statements: The first is THE STATEMENT OF MOLLY SCOTT'S GRANDSON, HER FAVORITE AND HEIR. WHEATLAND, August, 1876. Mr. W. C. Brockunier, Wheeling, W. Va.: SIR: I have no hesitation in replying to the inquiries you make. I am the oldest surviving descendant of Molly Scott, somewhat noted as one of the early settlers of Wheeling. I am her grandson—the only one now living. Molly died near Wheeling March 3, 1839, aged 80 years. My relationship, of course, brought me into almost constant association with her from infancy until her death, and I have often heard her tell incidents connected with the early settlcment of Wheeling, and about the Indian war and troubles, and many reminiscences of the principal persons of the settlement. I have heard her tell frequently the story of the siege of Fort Henry. Sne was an inmate and assisted the other women in running bullets, loading guns, and such other employments as they were able to do. She has told me, and in my presence, many times, about the exploit of Betsy Zane carrying powder in her apron from Col. Zane's dwelling to the fort, during the siege, and of the courage and intrepidity with which the act was performed, as well as the narrow escape she had from the bullets of the Indians. She always told me the same story, and never gave any other name than Elizabeth or Betsy Zane, as she called her, as the one who carried the powder. She never claimed the credit for herself', and there is no other tradition in the Scott fam-ily. Elizabeth Zane was, I believe, the sister of Col. Ebenezer Zane, the original founder of Wheeling. This is about all the information I can give you, but my remembrance is clear as to the correctness of the foregoing statement. Yours, J. F. SCOTT. Also the STATEMENT OF MR. YOST, a venerable citizen of Belmont county. " AUGUST, 1876. "I knew Molly Scott intimately. Farmed her place several years; also farmed for her son, Andy Scott, and her grandson, Jim Scott. I have heard her tell many times of the Indian wars and sieges at Wheeling. She told us often about Betsy Zane carrying the powder to the fort when the Indians were besieging it. Molly Scott was in Col. Zane's house and saw Betsy come for the powder. In early times we never heard the name of anybody else than Betsy Zane connected with that event. Molly never claimed that she carried the powder herself. All she said about herself was us women run bullets for the men." Molly Scott's sister, Nancy Richards, who was in the fort, told me ihe same thing. " PETER YOST." STATEMENT OF EBENEZER CLARK, THE ONLY SON OF ELIZABETH ZANE. JULY, 1877. "I am the son of Elizabeth Zane, and the only member of the family now living—am the youngest of seven. children. * * * * * * * * * " I have heard my mother tell the story of the Indian wars, the siege, and her exploit of carrying the gunpowder, a thousand times. She never spoke of it boastfully or as a wonderful matter, but in early times we didn't have newspapers or books, and on long winter evenings all we had to amuse us were stories of the early settlers, Indian fights and escapes. When my mother returned from Philadelphia, she stayed with her brothers, her father having married a second time, and not very happily. At the time of the siege of the. fort at Wheeling by the Indians and Tories she went with her brothers, Silas and. Jonathan, into the fort, indeed all the settlers rushed to the fort for protection when the alarm was given. It was not occupied except when the Indians came in. Col. Ebenezer Zane, whose *house was about sixty yards from the fort, re-mained in it with his family and two or three other persons with him for its defence. His house was built in block house form and pierced with loopholes through which they could fire. It also had a large magazine in which the ammunition was stored. From its position they commanded the approach to the gateway of the fort, -which made it of great service to the garrison when the besiegers would attempt to storm the fort. Old daddy Sam, a. Guinea negro belonging to Col. Zane, was a great fighter, and was with Col. Zane in the house. * * * * Silas Zane was commander of the fort. When the demand was made for surrender, and promise given of British protection, the answer of the garrison was a volley of bullets. The firing was kept up all day and occasionally during the night. The garrison kept awake and on the alert. In the morning the assault was resumed and the firing was so rapid that it became. evident that the supply of Powder in the fort could not long hold out. In the hurry of the alarm they had only brought a portion of the powder kept stored for use in Col. Zane's magazine. Towards noon the fire slackened, and it was determined to make an attempt to secure more powder before the assault was renewed. In the consultation which took place as to who should go on this errand, my mother offered to go. Saying, "you need all the men you have to defend the fort. If I go and am killed I will not be missed like a man and there is nobody to cry for me. I'll go if you let me." When consent was gained she stripped herself to her shift and petticoat so she could run fast, and was then let out at the gate. As soon as she appeared the Indians seemed taken by surprise and exclaimed 'A Squaw! "A Squaw!" but never offered to disturb her. When she reached Col. Zane's they tied a table-cloth about her waist, poured a keg of powder in and she started with it on a run to the fort. When the Indians saw her returning they evidently suspected what her mission. was and poured in a terrific volley. She said it seemed as if the whole 400 fired at once, and the bullets knocked the dust into her eyes so she Could not see. She had been running so fast, how-ever, that they missed their aim, and she gained the gateway of the fort without a hurt. The fort had only about sixteen men. My mother occupied the sentry box with her brother Jonathan Zane and a man named Salter, and loaded. their guns. This position was the post of observation, and the best marksmen arid those having the most knowledge of the Indian modes of warfare were selected for the place. Of course it was a prominent mark for' the enemy, and my mother said she would frequently have to stop and pick the splinters out of her body, which the bullets would split off and drive into her flesh. The brave and determined resistance of the garrison, the losses of the Indians and reports of ap-proaching help led the commander to break the siege after three days and nights continuous fighting, watching and anxiety. My Grandmother Clark was an inmate of the fort, and I have heard her give substantially the same account of the siege and my mother s exploit. I knew Molly Scott very well. She never claimed that she carried the powder. Indeed, no such claim was set up until very recent times by Mrs. Cruger. I don't know whit motive could have induced Mrs. Cruger to make a statement so untrue unless it was jealousy. My mother was a remarkable handsome woman, retaining her good looks even in her old age. It is well known she was universally admired not only for her beauty, but she was very bright, smart and witty. She was as plucky and high spirited a woman as ever lived—a swift runner and a fearless rider. Moses Shepherd at one time was engaged to marry my mother, but something occurred that broke the match off, and although he afterward married Lydia Boggs it is well known she never forgave my mother her good looks or the Colonel's preference. EBENEZER CLARK. The only account differing in any respect from the foregoing is contained in the following STATEMENT OF MRS. LYDIA S. CRUGER : " The undersigned having been applied to for a statement of facts respecting the memorable achievement at the attack on Fort Henry (Wheeling) in September, 1782, known as the gun-powder exploit, would state as follows, viz : "On Monday afternoon, September 11, 1872, a body of about 300 Indians, and 50 British soldiers, composing part of a com-pany known as the Queen's Rangers, appeared in front of the fort and demanded a surrender. These forces were commanded respectively by the white renegade Girty and Captain Pratt. "The demand for a surrender was, of course, not complied with, and the attack then commenced. HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 131 "During the forenoon of Tuesday, September 12, the enemy having temporarily withdrawn from the attack, but occupying a position withiR gunshot of the fort, those within the stockade observed a female leave the residence of Colonel Zane and advance with rapid movements toward the fort. She made for the southern gate, as it was less exposed to the fire of the enemy. The gate was opened immediately, and she entered in safety. That person was none other than Mollie Scott, and the object of her mission was to procure powder for those who defended the dwelling of Colonel Zane. The undersigned was at that time in her seventeenth year, and remembers every circumstance connected with the incident. She saw Mollie Scott enter the fort, assisted her in getting the powder and saw her leave, and avers most positively that she, and she alone, accomplished the feat referred to, and deserves all the credit that may be attached to it. "The ammunition at that time was kept in the store-house, adjoining the residence of my father, and known as the "Cap-tain's house." My father (Captain Boggs) having left for help on the commencement of the attack ; and I, being the oldest child under the paternal roof, was directed by my mother to go with the messenger (Molly Scott) to the store-house, and give her Whatever ammunition she needed. This the undersigned did, and will now state without fear of contradiction, that the powder was given to Molly Scott, and not to Elizabeth Zane. "The undersigned assisted Molly Scott in placing the powder in her apron, and to this she is willing to be qualified at any time. "Elizabeth Zane, for whom has long been claimed the credit of this heroic feat, Was at that time at the residence of her father, near the present town of Washington, Pa. " At tne time of its occurrence, the achievement was not considered very extraordinary. Those were emphatically times when woman's heart was nerved to deeds of no ordinary kind. We all felt it was then to do or die, and the undersigned does not hesitate to say that more than one within the little stockade at Wheeling would have accomplished the feat with as much credit as the one whose name seems destined to an immortality in border warfare. "But the undersigned does not wish to detract from the heroism of that feat; she only desires to correct a gross error—to give honor to whom honor is due. This she deems imperative, that the truth and justice of history may be maintained. "The undersigned disclaims all unkind feeling toward any one, in relation to this Statement. Elizabeth Zane was one of her earliest acquaintances, whom she knew to be a woman, brave, generous and single-hearted. "Given under my hand and seal this 28th day of November, 1849. " LYDIA S. CRUGER, [Seal]." With this must also be connected her statement to DeHass and published in his account, that her father, Captain Boggs, was commander of the fort at this time and had charge of the stores; which should explain her expression about occupying the "Captain's house," and herself,. as the oldest child, being delegated to get the powder, but which is shown to be incorrect by the documents published on pages 125 and 127. APPENDIX B. The following is the introduction to the article from the Scioto Gazette published in Appendix A. and which, as it has no bearing on 'the question there discussed, is published here, chiefly on account of the amusing anecdote it contains : BRAVE WOMEN OF OUR FRONTIER. " The people of the eastern states have very little realization of the hardships endured, or the many deeds of valor that have been performed by the noble women of our western frontier. Should the many incidents be gathered, in which our women have rendered effective service in the protection of their homes and children from the attacks of ruthless savages, they will fill volumes of history. Several of these have been published. in which a woman has wielded an axe, and split open the skull of a savage, with the intrepidity and the skill of a veteran knight in the days of feudalism. "On the 13th of March, 1791, when the Indians had killed Joseph Rogers within a mile of Marietta, and pursued his companion, Edward Henderson., so close to the fort, the alarm was spread throughout the settlement. Every man's duty was to repair to his post with his rifle, while the women rushed to the block-house with the children, and articles of value that could be carried. If money or valuable papers were in the chest, the women of the house took care to secure them, and rushed. to the fort with them in her arms. One woman carried her bed and child, another a bundle of clothes, another a teapot, another the Bible, and so on. When all had gathered within the block house, an old mother was missing. A party was at once sent out for her, who found her busily engaged fixing up things in her house, and sweeping the floor. She told them she could not think of leaving her nouse, even if the Indians were coming to scalp her,' until all was rid up and things put in their place. This old lady had seen so much of border life, that an alarm of the coming of the Indians had ceased to frighten her." CHAPTER XVII. NOTED CHARACTERS OF THE FRONTIER SETTLEMENT AND EVENTS OF BORDER WARFARE. EBENEZER ZANE. As no little interest naturally attaches itself in this locality, to the life and character of the first white men who are known to have descended Wheeling creek to its confluence with the Onio, and the first to erect a civilized habitation in this entire section, we have devoted considerable research and labor in compiling an accurate history of Ebenezer Zane and his brothers. The family is of Danish origin but at an early day moved to France, thence to England, and toward the close of the seven-teenth century, emigrated to America. One branch of it settled in New Jersey, nearly opposite Philadelphia; the other in Virginia. Tne subject of our notice sprung from this latter branch. He was born on the south branch of the Potomac, in Berkeley county, Virginia, Oct. 7, 1747. The spirit of restless energy, which so distinguished the old Norseman, was not long in exhibiting itself in some of his Virginia descendants. In December, 1767, Col. Zane, in company with some others, started on an expedition to the Ohio river, but they were compelled to abandon it, on account of the severity of the weather. The next spring, 1768, he removed his family to Red Stone, Old Fort, and in the early fall of 1769, he made a more extended search; he reached the head waters of Wheeling creek, descended that stream to its junction with the Ohio, and upon a bright morning in September, 1769, he stood upon the high bank of the Ohio, just above the confluence of Wheeling creek, and gazing upon the widespread landscape of island, hill and river, his en-raptured vision comprehended all, and more than realized his most extravagant expectations. The scene before him was one of perfect repose. The morning mist just lifted from the bosom of the calm, clear river, was gliding slowly upward, revealing to the lone pioneer a panorama of unsurpassed loveliness. Not a breath of air disturbed the glittering dew drops .which hung upon the forest leaves, but all was the unbroken stillness of nature, save when an occasional feathered songster sent his shrill notes tnrough the echoing vale. But our young adventurer was not the man to look upon such a scene with a painter or a poet's eye. He saw at a glance the great advantage of:the point, and at once resolved to make there his home. This act showed him to be a man of much judgment and sagacity. At that early day, he saw all the advantages presented by the locality. He clearly realized in his mind's eye the prophetic line of Bishop Berkeley ; and that some point on the Ohio, near where he stood, must eventually become an important place through the trade and travel of the west. How well that conception has been fulfilled, let the most flourishing city in the state attest. Building a cabin, and remaining one season on the Ohio, Mr. Zane returned for his family, and having induced a few resolute friends to accompany him, moved west in the spring of 1770. Deeming it unsafe to carry his family direct to their new abode, he had left them at Redstone in 1768; and, in company with his brothers, Jonathan and Silas, and two or three others, proceeded to take possession of his rights in the west. 132 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. He removed his family to Wheeling in the spring of 1770. At that time there was not a permanent Anglo-Saxon settlement from the source to the mouth of the Ohio. The valley of the Mississippi, with its mighty iiver sweeping through an immensity of space, was as little known as when Ponce de Leon sought there for the fountain of perennial life, which was to re-store to his veteran limbs the vigor and freshness of youth. Behold it now ! Did the magic wand of the magician ever work greater wonders. in, the kaleidoscope of his mystic art ! With their sturdy arms, the Zanes soon opened a "clearing," letting. the sunlight into tne heart of the forest, and in due time had the satisfaction of gathering a good crop of corn. Completing his cabin and making other preparations for the safety of his family, Mr. Zane visited Redstone, and that fall effected a final removal. With the opening of 1773, came quite a number of settlers from the South-brancn, and then was permanently formed a settlement which has grown to a city of many thousands. Mr. Zane married Elizabeth McColloch, sister to the daring borderers, whose services on the frontier we have described in other portions of this volume. She was his junior in age about a year having been born October 30, 1748. She bore him thirteen children—Catharine, born June 27, 1769; Ann, born May 27, 1771; Sarah, born February 23, 1773; Noah, October 1, 1774; Rebecca, born October 19, 1776; Noah, born October 23, 1778; John, born April 30. 1780; Samuel, born May 12, 1782; Samuel, born February 26, 1784; Hetty, born October 8, 1786; Daniel; born October 25, 1788; Jesse, born October 5, 1790; Daniel, born August 3, 1792. Of these the first Noah, Samuel and Daniel, died in infancy. Ann, John and Jesse, also died about the time they reached maturity. Nearly all the rest lived to very advanced years. Of the daughters, Catharine married Capt. Absalom Martin, of the United States Army; Sarah married Capt. John McIntire, and, after his decease, married Rev. David Young, of Zanesville, O. ; Rebecca married John Clarke, Esq., and removed to Belmont county, O.; Hetty married Mr. Elijah Woods. Mrs. Zane was a woman of remarkable character, full of activity, and of indomitable energy. She was equal to every emergency that arose in a life full of startling incident. Her thrift, management, industry, intelligence and untiring labors, were noted characteristics. 'She was as brisk as a bee " said one who knew her well, she could turn her hand to any:thing. She was the surgeon of the neighborhood, becoming quite an adept in the art and was called upon to. perform. difficult and serious operations. She was also a skillful nurse, and had nerve to undertake the most difficult enterprises when necessity demanded. In 1785, a man. named Mills was shot by the Indian's while spearing fish at night, some distance above the fort, Rising in the canoe with his torch to throw the. light in the right direction, he received a whole volley from a party of Indians on the shore. He was brought to Wheeling,. and Mrs. Zane extracted seventeen bullets from his body, cutting them with a razor as nicely as a surgeon with his delicate instruments. Mills was nursed and cared for by her and a Mrs. Williams, fully recovered, and lived for many years, a monument to the skill and care of tnese women. Abram Rogers in his account of the siege of 1777, ascribes very great credit to Mrs. Zane in that affaunr, riot only for her zeal, activity and usefulness, but in her encouragement and exhortations to the men, engaged in the defence. Of her generosity, devotion, hospitality and unnumbered charities and good offices to others there is abounding testimony. Her piety was fervid and zealous, but characterized by a true humility. The life she led and the well trained family she left is the highest tribute which can be paid to her character and worth. The clearing of Col. Zane embraced about ten acres, comprehending that portion of the present city of Wheeling, lying along Main and Market streets, from the brow of the hill to a point above where the suspension bridge crosses. It was girdled on every side by the dark green forest, save on the west, where swept the beautiful river. Col. Zane's intercourse with the natives having been marked by mildness, courtesy and honorable dealing, his hamlet escaped the fury of the savages, and nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of his western life until the fall of 1777. Having elsewhere noticed in detail the attack on Fort Henry, in Sep-tember of that year, it will be unnecessary to say more at this time, but pass on to the consideration. of our personal history. Col. Zane received, from time to time, various marks of distinction, from the colonial, state and national governments. He was a disbursing officer under Dunmore, and enjoyed under the commonwealth numerous chi]. and military distinction; He always preferred, however, the peace and quietude of hi own home to the bustle arid pomp of public place. He was a generous as brave . strictly honorable to all men, and most jealous of his own rights. He possessed, in an eminent degree, the constituents of a true gentleman—the disposition to rended unto all their due—the quick, delicate accurate perception ( others' rights and others claims. His 'temperament was nen, ous-bilious—quick, impetuous, and hard to restrain when e) cited. He was, in short, a plain, blunt man, rude of speech but true of heart, knowing nothing of formalities, and caring about little else than his family, his friends, and his country. The personal appearance of Col. Zane was somewhat remarkable: dark complexion, piercing black eyes, huge brows an, prominent nose. Not very tall, but uncommonly active an, athletic, he was a match for almost any man in the settlement and many are the incidents, in wood and field, told of his prow ess and his strength. He was a devoted hunter, and spend much of his time in the woods. But few men could out-shoot and fewer still out-run him. In illustration of his skill with the rifle we will give an incident. About the year 1781 some of the whites in the fort observed an Indian on the island going through certain personal movements for the especial benefit of those within the fort. Col. Zane's attention having been draw] to the indelicate performances, declared he would spoil the sport, and, charging his rifle with an additional ball, patiently waited for the chap to reappear. In a moment his naked body was seen emerging from behind a large sycamore, and, commencing anew performances, Col. Zane drew upon him practiced aim, and the next instant the native harlequin was seen to go through a peculiar gyration, believed not to have been "in the bills." Colonel Zane was a man of true courage, as is exemplified b. his almost single-handed defense of his own' dwelling, in the fall of 1782. The government Of the United States, duly appreciating hi capacity, energy and influence, employed him by an act of Congress, May, 1796, to open a road from Wheeling to Limestone (Maysville.) This duty he performed in the following year; al sisted by his brother Jonathan, and his own son-in-law John Mc Intyre aided by an Indian guide Tomepomehala, whose know] edge of the country enabled him to render valuable suggestions The road was marked through under the eye of Colonel Zane then committed to his assistants to cut out. As a compensation for the opening of this road, Congress granted Colonel Zane the privilege of locating military warrants upon three sections c land the first to, be at the crossing of the Muskingum, the second at Hock-hocking, and the third at Scioto. Colonel Zane thought of crossing the Muskingum at Duncan's falls, but fore seeing the great value of hydraulic power created by the fall determined to cross at the point where Zanesville has since bee: established, and thus secure this important power. The second section was located where Lancaster now stands, and the third on the east side of the Scioto opposite Chillicothe. The first he gave, principally, to his two assistants for services rendered. In addition to these fine possessions, Colonel Zane acquired large bodies of land throughout Western Virginia, by locating patents for those persons whose fear of the Indians deterred them undertaking personally so hazardous an enterprise, General Richard Butler deemed him an intelligent, cautious, prudent man, as will be seen by reference to his journal of his expedition down the Ohio in the year 1785. General Butler also speaks of Colonel Zane's Island farm opposite the mouth of Wheeling creek. He says it contains about four hundred acres of most excellent land, and is a situation not only of great profit, but real beauty. He says he sells to the amount of £300 per annum of the products of this farm for cash, exclusive of the other advantages by traffic. A fair idea of Col. Zane's reputation for shrewdness and good judgment may be formed by reading an anecdote related by the writer of a " View of Ohio," which appeared in the American Quarterly Review, of March, 1833, p. 100. He says: "The Ohio Company had their first choice within this rich and ample domain, but unfortunately selected the poorest tract in its whole compass. An anecdote is told, which, if true, would seem to indicate that their shrewdness, for once, over-reached itself. It is said that when the party arrived at Wheeling, on their way to the' settlement, they met with Ebenezer Zane, afterward the proprietor of Zanesville and at that time familiar with the Ohio country. They asked his opinion as to the best place of location, and he, in honest simplicity, named several, either of which would have verified his recommendation. He did not, however, mention the tract about the HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 133 mouth of the Muskingum. What could be the reason ? Possibly he had an eye to it himself, and, if so, it must be the best. The party at once took up their line of march, and, without looking further, planted themselves there." Thus according to this writer, securing the region coveted because Zane had not mentioned it. Another version is given of. Col. Zane's possible influence in fixing the location. General Samuel H. Parsons one of the Ohio Company's directors, who strongly urged the 'location between the Muskingum and Scioto, had been appointed by the old congress a commissioner to treat with the Indian tribes of the west, and in the discharge of that duty visited that coun-try in 1785 and 1786. A writer in the North American, Review (Vol. 47), who states that his information was received direct, General Putnam, says : "As Gen. Parsons had examined the country immediately about the junction of the Muskingum with the Ohio, he proceeded up the valley of the former that he might have a view of the. interior. Having gone many he met one of the Zanes, four of which family were among the most noted of the frontier rangers. Zane was probably engaged in salt making at Salt creek, which runs into the Muskingum. about ten miles below the present town of Zanesville. Parsons, Well knowing that the man he had chanced upon knew, from an acquaintance of fifteen years or more, the whole of what now forms the State of Ohio, asked his advice touching:). the location of the purchase which the Ohio Company proposed to make. Zane, having pondered the matter, and consulted with some of the old Delaware Indians that lived thereabout, recommended the General to choose either the Miami country or the valley of the Scioto in preference to that which he was then examining. What it was that made Parsons doubt the good faith of the pioneer, we know. not ; but he came to the conclusion that Zane really preferred the Muskingum to any other point, and wished to purchase it himself when the sales should begin in a few months. This impression did away with what little doubt still remained in his mind; and, returning to the East, he laid his proposal to contract with Congress for all the land along the Ohio, between the seventh range of townships and the Scioto, and running back as might be afterward agreed upon', before the directors of the Company of Associates." The Rev. Joseph Doddridge, writing of a proposed biography of Col. Zane "This work will be no more than a measure of justice to the memory of a man who held such an important and perilous station as that which fell to the lot of Col. Zane, and who filled that station with so much honor to himeself and advantage to our infant country as he did." Col Zane's mental endowments were of a high order. His judgment in all matters that came under his notice was remarkably accurate. Whether in affairs of business, or in military exigencies, or in counsel to others, his conclusions were considered so correct that he was constantly referred to in every public and private emergency for his opinion. One of his sons-in-law, many years after his death, spoke of him as one of the wisest men he ever knew, though he was always quiet and moderate in tone; and that his judgment was so correct as to be almost infallible. His wise advice to Cresap, had it been taken would doubtless, have saved the border from the Indian war of 1774, and in the last siege at Wheeling his precaution and the admirable conduct of the defence of the garrison without the loss of a man, notwithstanding the skill of the British officer in charge of the besiegers and the overwhelming odds against them. After a life full of adventure and vicissitude, the subject of our notice died of jaundice in 1811, at the age of sixty-four. JONATHAN ZANE was, also, born in Berkeley county, Virginia. He accompanied his brother, Ebenezer Zane, to the West in 1769, when they explored the surrounding country, and located the town of Wheeling. He also made explorations in the summer and fall of 1771, in company with Silas Zane, up and down the Ohio—soon becoming familiar not only with the regions east of that river, but also the wilderness beyond. He was perhaps, the most experienced hunter of his day, in the frontier country. It would have been difficult to find a man of greater energy of character—of more determined resolution, or restless activity. He rendered efficient service to the settlers about Wheeling, in the capacity of a spy, and a guide to direct the forces through the wilderness in several of the important campaigns from the commencement of the Dunmore war until the close of the Revolution He was a guide in the Wakatomica campaign of 1774. He also accompanied General Brodhead in the same capacity, in the expedition up the Allegheny against the Munsies and Senecas in 1779, in which he was wounded.* In the memorable campaign of Crawford against Sandusky, Zane was again one of the guides to direct the army through the wilderness, and was a. confidential advisor of the commander, with whom his opinions had great weight. It is plain, too, that if his advice had been promptly acted upon, the terrible calamity that befell the unfortunate expedition would have been averted. When the army had reached the Sandusky plains and found a deserted town, Zane advised an immediate return, and Col. Crawford knowing him to be exceedingly well versed in Indian strategy, was strongly impressed with his views and felt personally inclined to adopt them. Zane urged that the absence of any sign of the Indians on the plains was a certain indication that they were concentrating at some point not far distant for determined resistance. He also reasoncd that a further march into their country was only giving the savages time to gather reinforcements at their place of rendezvous, and that they would be able to concentrate against the Americans an overwhelming force. But when the council of officers was held Zane's warning was not duly heeded—the officers and men did not want to return without firing a gun—the army continued its march until the Indians were met—and the lamentable dis-aster followed. Jonathan Zane was remarkable for earnestness of purpose, an energy and inflexibility of will which often manifested itself in a way truly astonishing. Few men shared more of the confidence or respcct of his fellow men than Jonathan. He was one of the best marksmen upon the border. He prided himself particularly upon his skill in shooting. He was once returning home from hunting his horses, when, passing through some high weeds near the bank of the river at a spot within the present limits of the City of Wheeling, not far from his house, he saw five Indians jump into the stream and swim for the island in the Ohio, opposite the place. Having his rifle with him, he rapidly took aim at one of the savages—fired, and the Indian sunk. Loading and firing in quick succession, three more were killed before reaching the opposite bank. The fifth and last one, seeing the fate of his companions, concealed himself behind a " sawyer," near the shore of the island, hoping thus to escape the deadly aim of the white man. After several ineffectual attempts to dislodge him, the effort was about to be abandoned, when Zane noticed a small portion of his body pro-truding below the log. Drawing a fine sight on his rifle, it was discharged, and the fifth savage floated down the river. He piloted expeditions against the Indians ;—in the one under Colonel Brodhead, up the Allegheny, in 1779, he was severely wounded. He was one the pilots in Crawford's expedition, and, it is said, strongly admonished the unfortunate commander against proceeding ; as the enemy were very numerous, and would certainly defeat him. He died in Wheeling, at his own residence, a short distance above the present site of the First Ward Public School. He left large landed possessions, most of which were shared by his children. The children were Catharine, Eliza, Cynthia, Sally, Hannah, Nancy, Isaac, Asa and Benjamin. Catharine married a Mr. Wells, and subsequently, at his death, a, Mr. Green. Eliza married Mr. Williams, Cynthia married Daniel Zane, and had a numerous family, of whom Mrs. Judge Cranmer, Orloff Zane, Mrs. McSwords, Mr. Ham Phillips, C. L. Zane and D.. Zane are still living. Sally married E. Hildreth, and has two sons, Dr. E. A. Hildreth and S. P. Hildreth, Esq., now living in the city. Hannah married Mr. Fawcett, and at his death a Mr. Smith. Nancy married John Miller. Of the children who survive her there are but two, John R. Miller, Esq., and Ann. SILAS AND ANDREW ZANE. Of these two brothers little can be gathered of their personal history. Silas is mentioned, with other influential citizens, as having, by personal influence and efforts, contributed to the success at Fort Henry, and Andrew was killed by the Indians while crossing the Scioto. ISAAC ZANE was a somewhat more conspicuous character. He was taken captive when but nine years of age and carried to the Indian towns, where, he afterwards stated, he remained four years without seeing a white man. He became thoroughly Indian * Anthony Dunlevy's Declaration for a Pension, October 3d, 1832. 134 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. in his habits and appearance, and married the sister of a distinguished Wyandot chief, by whom he raised a family of eight children. He acquired, with his tawny bride, large landed property, and became an important man in the confederacy. But, notwithstanding all this, he remained true to the whites, and often was the means of communicating important intelligence, which may have saved the settlements froth most bloody visitations. He was one of the party which accompanied the army of General Richard Butler, one of the commissioners appointed by the government in 1785 to hold treaties with the Northern and Western Indians. He acted as hunter for the army of Gen. Butler, and rendered efficient service in supplying it with game of all kinds for food. His name very frequently occurs in Gen. Butler's journal of the expedition. From the great numbers of buffaloes, bears and deer he killed he must have been a very useful man in the expedition. In consideration of these services the government granted him a patent for ten thousand acres of land on Mad river, where he lived and died. THE M'COLLOCH FAMILY. Among the earliest settlers in Northwestern Virginia were the McCollochs, who emigrated from the south branch of the Potomac, in 1770, and located on the borders of Short creek, a stream which empties into the Ohio river nine miles north of Wheeling creek. The family consisted of four brothers. Abraham, George, Samuel and John, and two sisters, one of whom Elizabeth, was the wife of Ebenezer Zane, who, with his brothers, Jonathan and Silas, came from the same neighborhood, and settled at the mouth of Wheeling creek. The father of the McCollochs, whose name was also Samuel; is said to have been sent by the government some time previous with a number of men from Alexandria over the Allegheny mountains to Fort Pitt. History only speaks of the settlement of the four sons and two daughters, but the present descendants assert that the father accompanied them down the river. with the Zane's in the spring of 1770, and that after settling them upon the ridge bordering on Short creek, he, with his wife, returned to his native place across the mountains, and after some years was taken off by the yellow fever. Between the two younger brothers of the McColloch family, Samuel and John, whose daring achievements in Indian warfare fill the pages of history, seem to have existed a more than. fraternal intimacy, arising not only from congeniality of disposition, but from community of interests and pursuits; consequently they were much together, and their history is in some degree blended. Samuel, whose name has been immortalized by his famous leap down an almost perpendicular precipice to escape the Indians on the 2d of September, 1777, has thereby become the most noted member of the family, in historical annals. At a very early age he distinguished himself as a bold and efficient borderer. As an Indian fighter he had no superior. He seemed to track the wily red min witn a sagacity as remarkable as his efforts were successful. He was almost constantly engaged in excursions against the enemy, or "scouting" for the security of the settlements. It was mainly to these energetic operations that the frontier was so often saved from savage depredation, and by *cutting off their retreat, attacking their hunting camps, and annoying them in various other ways, he rendered himself so great an object of fear and hatred. For these they marked him and vowed sleepless vengeance against his name. To many of the savages these brothers were personally known, and were objects of intense fear and hate. Numerous artifices were employed to capture them : their enemies anticipating, in such an event, the privilege of satiating their vindictive malice by the infliction of a lingering and cruel death. Of this design on the part of the Indians, the brothers were aware and in their almost miraculous preservation, in various contests with them, gratefully acknowledged the interposition of an invisible power in their behalf. In consideration of his many very efficient services, Samuel McColloch was commissioned Major in 1775. While the enemy was pressing the siege of Wheeling, in 1777, Major Samuel McColloch, at the head of forty mounted men, from Short creek, made their appearance in front of the fort, ,the gates of which were joyfully thrown open. Simultaneously with the appearance of McColloch's men, re-appeared the enemy, and a rush was made to cutoff the entrance of some of the party. All, however, succeeding in getting in except the gallant Major, who, anxious for the safety of his men, held back until his own chance was entirely cut off. Finding himself surrounded by savages, he rode at full speed in the direction of the hill. The enemy, with exulting yells, followed close in pursuit, not doubting they would capture one whom of all other men, they preferred to wreak their vengeance upon. The Indians drove the gallant Major to the summit of a, lofty hill, which overhangs the present city of Wheeling. Knowing their relentless hostility toward himself, he strained every muscle of his noble steed to gain the summit, and then escape along the brow in the direction of Van Metre's fort. At length he attained the top, and galloping ahead of his pursuers, rejoiced at his lucky escape. As he gained a point on the hill near where the Cumberland Road now crosses, what should he suddenly encounter but a considerable body of Indians, who were just returning from a plundering excursion among the settlements. In an instant, he comprehended the full extent of his danger. Escape seemed out of the question, either in the direction of Short creek or back to the bottom. A fierce and revengeful foe completely hemmed him in, cutting off every chance of successful retreat or escape. What was to be done? Fall into their hands and share the most refined torture savage ingenuity could invent ? That tnought was agony, and in an instant the bold Soldier, preferring death among the rocks and bramble to the knife and fagot of the savage, determined to plunge over the precipice before him. Without a moment's hesitation, for the savages were pressing upon him, he firmly adjusted himself in the saddle, grasped securely the bridle with his left hand, and supporting his rifle in. the right, pushed his unfaltering old horse over! A plunge, a crash,—crackling timber and tumbling rocks were all that the wondering savages could see or hear. They looked chagrined but bewildered, one at another; and while they inwardly regretted that the fire had been spared its duty, they could not but greatly rejoice that their most inveterate enemy was at length beyond the power of doing further injury. But, lo ! ere a single savage had recovered from his amazement, what should they see. but the invulnerable major on his white steed, galloping across the peninsula. Such was the feat of Major McColloch, certainly one of the most daring and successful ever attempted. The place has become memorable as McColloch's leap, and will remain, so long as the hill stands, and the recollections of the past have a place in the hearts of the people. Our engraver has given a very effective and correct representation of this "leap." It is to us a matter of great regret, that more of the stirring incidents in this man's life have not been collected and preserved. We have heard of many daring feats of personal prowess, but they come to us in such a mixed and unsatisfactory form, as to render their publication, at this time, unsafe. In the spring of 1782, General Irvine called a convention of the lieutenants of the several counties and the principal field officers of the militia as well as citizens of note, in the Western Department, for 'the purpose of devising means for the defense of the border. The convention met on the 5th of April, and We find the names of Major Samuel McColloch and David Shepherd, as the representatives of Ohio county, Va. From the year 1777 to 1782 Major Samuel McColloch com manded at Fort Van Meter, styled the "Court House Fort,' from the circumstance of the first civil court in Northwestern Virginia being held in it immediately after the organization and separation of Ohio county from West Augusta. This for was one of the first erected in this part of Virginia, and stood on the north side of Short creek, about five miles from its confluence with the Ohio river. During many. consecutive summers the inhabitants of the adjacent neighborhood sough security from the tomahawk and scalping-knife of the merciless aborigines within its palisades; agricultural labor being performed by companies, each member of which wrought with one hand while the other grasped a weapon of defence. On the 30th July, 1782, arrangements were made by the in mates of the fort for the performance of field labor. To the commander and his brother, John, was assigned the dangerous duty of reconnoitering the paths leading from the river, to ascer tain, if possible, whether there were any Indians lurking in tip vicinity. Leaving early in the morning, in the discharge o their mission, after proceeding some distance, the former, im pelled perhaps by a sudden premonition of the tragic fat, which befell him, returned, and, depositing with the wife o his brother John, his watch and several other articles, gave di rections as to their disposition, in the event of his not returning, and, leaving a kindly message for his youthful bride, sow rejoined his wondering companion. They traversed the path lying along the south bank of the creek till within a short distance of its junction with the Ohio HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 135 where they crossed, and followed the direction of the river to the Beech bottom, a distance of three miles, when, perceiving no indications of an enemy, they retraced their steps to the mouth of the creek, a short distance above which they ascended a steep and rugged eminence, well known in the neighborhood by the signicant cognomen of "Girty's Point." The notorious renegade, Simon Girty, having on several occasions when conducting parties of Indians into the settlement, with difficulty escaped capture by the infuriated whites by a rapid flight over the craggy and precipitous path. Congratulating themselves on the absence of immediate danger, the brothers pursued their course in the direction of the fort, on the summit of the elevated ridge rising abruptly from the northern bank of the creek, and had arrived at the termination of a deep ravine which made up from the stream—John being somewhat in advance of nis brother, and riding round the top of a large tree which had fallen across the way—when a low, half suppressed growl, from a well-trained hunting dog which accompanied them arrested their attention. No time, however, intervened for scrutinizing the cause; a volley of bullets from an invisible foe revealed it. On reaching the path John turned to look for his companion, whose bleeding form, with feelings of unutterable anguish, he beheld falling from his horse, and, ere it reached the earth, a stalwart savage sprang from his covert, tomahawk and scalping-knife in hand with which to complete the bloody tragedy and secure a trophy of victory. While the exulting victor was in the act of scalping his victim the younger brother with a frenzied resolution suddenly wheeled his horse and, amid a shower of balls, elevating his rifle, quickly sent the swift messenger of death to the heart of the murderer, whom he had the exquisite gratification of seeing info the air, then fall to rise no more. Having performed this feat, he, as fast as possible, his enraged ene-mies in full pursuit, their balls perforating his hat and hunting shirt, made his way down the ravine and soon reached the fort in safety, his brother's horse closely following him. The next morning a party from the fort, proceeded to the spot where the sanguinary deed had been perpetrated, and found the the mutilated remains of their beloved commander. The Indians, not doubt, by that species of hero-worship, inherent in their nature, causing an undoubted admiration of personal valor a abstracted the heart of their victim ; which, it was afterward learned, from one belonging to the party, had been eaten by them; a practice in which they occasionally indulged. Parkman ; a practice in which they occasionally indulged an, who was well acquainted with their habits, says " The Indians, though not habitual cannibals, some times, eat portions of the bodies of their enemies superstitiously believing that their own courage and hardihood will be increased This fatal rencounter was, doubtless, instrumental in the salvation of the lives of all in the fort; it being subsequently ascertained that the party committing the murderous act, con sisted of upwards of one hundred warriors, en route to attack it. After the escape of the surviving brother, aware that notice of their propinquity Would be givcn, and immediate pursuit made, they hastily retreated to their towns west of the Ohio. The remains of Major Samuel McColloch were interred in Fort Van Meter; but not unwept nor unhonored. There were present very many who knew and appreciated the sterling worth of the forest soldier and by whom the memory of his noble qualities and tragic fate was long cherished; and to this day, in the vicinity where the circumstances transpired, the name and fate of the hero are as familiar as household words. Major McColloch had married Miss Mitchell only six months before his death. His widow afterward married Andrew Woods. The place where this fatal disaster occurred, was on the farm now owned by James Ridgely, on the road known as Girty's point road, about two miles from the mouth of Short creek, Brooke county. His remains were interred near Fort Van Metre, where rest many of the patriots and pioneers of the land. No stone or monument has ever been erected; by their unappreciative descendants, to mark the last resting place of these noble men. Even the trees which were wont to smile upon their graves were not suffered to stand and tell to future generations where their ashes rest. ABRAM M'COLLOCH. Abram McColloch, brother of Major Samuel, figure quite extensively in the early history of Richland district as it is now called, having engaged to some extent as a scout among the Indians, by whom he received a wound in the hip; its effect was prevented from becoming fatal by a book which he carried in his pocket. This happened in early life. He followed farming as an occupation. He married Alcy Boggs and was the father of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, of whom one daughter and five sons, are living. JOHN M'COLLOCH, succeeded Major Samuel McColloch, as heir to the estate. He married Mary Bukey and raised a family of eleven children, two of whom are now living. THE WETZELS. In all the records of thrilling events in border warfare, there is no name that stands out more prominently than that of Wetzel. As stated in another portion of this work, John Wetzel, the elder, a brave and honest old German, came out with the Zanes in 1770 and settled on Wheeling creek, but erected his cabin so far from Fort Henry as to be beyond its immediate protection from the attacks of the Indians.* It is not certainly known whether he came from Maryland or Pennsylvania. His family consisted of himself and wife, five sons and two daughters. The sons were named, respectively, Martin, Lewis, Jacob, George and John. The whole family became hunters and Indian fighters, but the most daring and successful of all was Lewis, who was the most famous scout of the western border. The elder Wetzel spent much of his time in locating lands, hunting and fishing. He was frequently warned against exposing himself to the Indians; but, heedless of the same, he continued to widen the range of his excursions, until at last he fell a victim to tne active vigilance of the savages. In regard to his death De Hass makes the following statement : "He was killed near Captina, in 1787, on his return from Middle Island creek, under the following circumstances : Himself and companion were in a canoe, paddling slowly near the shore, when they were hailed by a party of Indians, and ordered to land. This they of course refused, when, immediately they were fired upon, and Wetzel was shot through the body. Feeling himself mortally wounded, he directed his companion to lie down in the canoe, while he (Wetzel), so long as strength remained, would paddle the frail vessel beyond the reach of the savages. In this way he saved the life of his friend while his own was ebbing fast. He died soon after reaching the shore, at Baker's station, and his humble grave can still be seen near the site of that primitive fortress. The author, anxious to ascertain with undoubted certainty the date of Wetzel's death, and learning from a reliable source that the place of his burial was indicated by a stone inscribed with the initials and year, visited the spot in the summer of 1849. With great difficulty he found the place, and identified the grave of the elder Wetzel. A rough stone marks the spot, bearing in rude, but perfectly distinct, characters ‘J. W., 1787."' The farm on which the grave of Wetzel is located is now owned by T. B. McFarland, situated in Franklin district, Marshall county. The inscription on the rough stone is still distinct. LEWIS WETZEL. The exact date and place of Lewis Wetzel's birth is not known, but he is said to have, been born in 1764, and was therefore twenty-three years of age at his father's death. The first feat worthy of notice in his career occurred when he was fourteen years of age. On this occasion he and his brother Jacob were captured by the Indians, which circumstance is variously stated by different authors. We have an account that seems to be better authenticated than the statements that have been generally published. It was in June, 1778. Martin, the eldest son, went hunting ; John, the youngest, was sent to the fort on an errand ; the old man, his wife, daughters, and Lewis and Jacob remained at home to hoe corn. The two boys happening to be working in a separate part of the field, were suddenly startled by the crack of a rifle and the savage yell of two Indians, who rushed out upon them and made them prisoners. Lewis was struck by the bullet and slightly wounded in the chest. The old man, his wife and daughters, on hearing the report of the gun, immediately hid themselves in an adjoining thicket, where they remained until the Indians had departed. * His settlement on Wheeling creek was about 14 miles from the river. The farm on which be settled and lived is situated in what is now Sand Hill district, Marshaln county. It is now subdivided and owned by several parties, among whom are Alexander Caldwell, sen., E. and D, Lutes, H. McCombs and others. 136 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO, PRISONERS AND THEIR ESCAPE, The Indians then crossed the Ohio, near the mouth of McMahon's creek, and went into the wilderness, carrying the boys with them. On the night of the second day they encamped in what is now Goshen township, Belmont county, at a place called Big Lick. As Lewis was only fourteen and Jacob twelve,* the Indians neither tied nor placed a watch over them. The moon was near its full, and the sky was clear. Late in the night, after the Indians had fallen into deep sleep, Lewis, who had kept awake, aroused Jacob, and they set out to effect their escape. They were bare-footed and feet-sore, so they had not gone over two hundred yards when they set down on a log to decide what should be done. "Well," said Lewis, " we can't get home bare-footed. You stay here and I'll go and get moccasins for us." This he did. On returning to his brother he said: "We ought to have a gun; papa needs it ; I'll get one." He went back to the camp, but had scarcely reached it, when one Indian began to mutter in his sleep, raised on his elbow, rolled over and laid down again. Lewis stood over him, with a tomahawk uplifted in botn hands, intending to sink it in his brains if he awoke. He obtained a gun, and the little fellows again struck out on the. trail for the river. They had not gone far before the Indians, who had discovered their escape, were close on them. They stepped aside into the bushes. and their pursuers passed them. They fell in the rear and followed on. Soon the Indians returned for their horses, and the lads again went into the bushes. When the enemy was out of sight and hearing they made fleet steps toward the river. They were pursued by the Indians on horseback, but they again dogged them, reached the river at a, point opposite Zane's Island, con- structed a raft, crossed on it and arrived at Fort Henry the same day. LEARNS TO LOAD HIS GUN WHILE RUNNING, AND ITS ADVANTAGE IN THE FIRST FIGHT. In early youth, Lewis Wetzel acquired the habit of loading his gun while at a full run, which gave him a great advantage as an Indian fighter, and was of immense consequence in. the next important event of his life. This incident in his career, occurred when he was yet but sixteen years old, and was a most remarkable event an exploit rarely equalled for courage and daring in any country or any age. Some time during the summer of 1780, a party of Indians had crossed tne Ohio, and stolen several horses from settlers on Wheeling creek, and' were- making their way back to their towns on the Muskingum and. further west. A party of the whites were soon gathered', and enroute to recapture the horses and punish the savages. In the pursuit, the party passed the farm of the elder Wetzel, who was then absent. Lewis was engaged in cultivating a crop of growing corn. They solicited him to join their party. He had been forbidden by his father to leave his home, but the adventure was too great a temptation for the spirit of young Wetzel, and he was easily persuaded to join them. He accordingly took from the plow a favorite mare of his father's and started along in pursuit of the fugitive Indians. They 'had not pro-ceeded far until they came upon the enemy, who were carelessly loitering about their camp, apparently off their guard, and probably thinking they had safety on their side, as the Ohio river was between them and the neighborhoods upon which they had lately committed depredations. The stolen horses were spanceled, and grazing at a short distance. They were easily surprised, and fled, leaving the horses, which were recovered. The party of settlers having accomplished their purpose, prepared to return, but their horses were jaded and hungry, and they agreed that the horses they had ridden, should be turned out to grass, three of their number left to bring them after they had refreshed a short time, and the balance of the company, with the recaptured horses should commence their retreat back to the settlements. They 'had not proceeded many miles, until they were overtaken by the three of their number they had left behind to bring their horses, who informed them that soon after their departure they were surprised by the savages, who made their appearance between them and their horses, leaving them no alternative in saving their lives but to abandon everything and escape by flight, which they succeeded in doing, overtook their companions, but left their horses in the hands of the enemy. A parley was called, and the hasty determination was soon formed to continue their way homeward * The ages of the boys at the time of this event are given by some authors at thirteen and eleven. and leave the Indians in, possession of the horses. To this determination Wetzel earnestly remonstrated. The loss of a favorite animal improperly taken away from home, the disappointment of his first adventure, and the wrath of a father whom he both feared and loved, drove him almost to desperation. He protested lie would never return alive to his father without the mare—swore he preferred the mare without his scalp, to his scalp without the mare, and urged the company to return and. retake the horses. In this he was overruled in council, against which decision he uttered bitter anathemas. He next proposed that. if only one man would join him, he would return and contest the right to the horses, but no one would volunteer. He then swore that he would go alone, that the mare he must and would have, and was actually upon the point, of starting, when two others, who had been active in in-ducing him to go, reluctantly agreed to accompany him. The three left their companions on their way to their homes, and started back in search of their horses. They soon reached the camp and found the Indians enga,ged at their meals with the horses safely secured at a short distance. The Indians were three in number equal only to themselves, but the companions of Wetzel hesitated and desired to return, but Wetzel counted chances and insisted upon success. The plan of attack was soon agreed upon. They were to advance in single file, Wetzel in front, until they passed two trees, behind which his companions were to When he reached the third it as the signal for an attack. Wetzel reached his tree, and discovered. that the Indians had. also treed ; but in looking around for his companions found they had retreated and were nearly out of sight, at the top of their speed. His condition was really critical; to come out in an open field was almost certain death. His only hope was in stratagem. He therefore placed his hat on the end of his ramrod and gently pushed it partly from behind the tree. This was no sooner done than all the Indians fired at it. The hat was literally riddled, and Wetzel, still secure behind the tree, quick, but cautiously dropped it to the ground. At this, the Indians believing they had killed their adversary, all sprung from their ambush and rushed towards him. Wetzel now held. the trump, and taking advantage of the enemy, whose guns were empty, he left his tree, and firing on the foremost brought him to the ground; and then, with the fleetness of the wind, ran from the scene, and was followed by the survivors. Wetzel loaded as he ran, and wheeling quickly, fired into the breast of the foremast savage; again ran, loaded and fired on the last of the Indians, just as he was in the act of hurling his tomahawk at the head of Wetzel. His fire was successful, and the whole three were thus dead on the plain. Wetzel secured the evidence of his victory, obtained the horses and overtook his companions before they had stopped for the night. The exhibition of the bloody trophies of victory, and the lost horses safely recaptured, all in the hands of their captor, a boy but sixteen years of age, of course from that time made him a hero, one whose counsel was sought by men of riper years and more experience. The news of this daring adventure very soon made him the man of the frontier eminently qualified as a leader in the spy department, in which position he and his brother John rendered such important services to the western country. The many hazards and adventures of which Lewis Wetzel was the hero, during his service in this department, would fill a large volume. As a man, Lewis Wetzel was courageous, cunning and manly; tall, broad-shouldered and deep-breasted. His hair was jet black, very long, coarse and glossy; eyes of the same color and sparkling; complexion dark, face slightly marked by smallpox yet his countenance was attractive and agreeable. As an Indian hunter he stands without peer. Though his residence was within the Pan Handle, the most of his daring exploits were enacted on the Ohio side of the river, and within the limits of Belmont and Jefferson counties. ADVENTURE AT INDIAN SPRINGS, BELMONT COUNTY. The following incidents of this famous scout are given as related. by Mr. Joshua Davis, of Belmont county, to R. H. Taneyhill, Esq., in 1846, and by him subsequently written for the Barnesville Enterprise. They have been told in various ways: "Near the end of June, 1782, my cousin, John Mills,* got back to Fort Henry from Crawford's defeat. At the Indian Springs, about a mile east of St. Clairsville, † his horse became so jaded that le left it and took to the bush afoot. A few days *This name is given, by most authors, Thomas Mills. † This spring is located on the farm now owned by John McMahon. HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 137 after he got back he said to. me that he was going after his horse. I advised him to wait until Wetzel returned and get him to go along. This he concluded was the best plan. That night Wetzel came in, and it was soon arranged to start next morning. I coaxed them hard to let me go with them. I was then only a little past fifteen, but large of my age, and had not been much out on scouts. at last consented, and said: ‘Josh'll make a scout yet; he's got metal. This made me feel proud At daybreak we started. We crossed below the point of the Island, and struck up the ridge south of Wheeling creek. The day was hot; but about noon, when we were nearly to the springs, Lewis, who was in the lead, stopped and said : "If there are any Indians about we'd better know it. They'll be near the springs this time of day. I'll go ahead, Mills; you come me.ext, and let Josh be behind. So we went on. Presently Lewis and Mills went behind some busnes ahead of me, right at the springs, when I heard the crack of rifles, the. yell of Indians, and the scream of Mills, all at once. From the yelling there must have been from forty to fifty Indians. In a second or two Wetzel came back on the trail, running and loading his gun, ame.d the Indians after him. He Could load his gun as well running as standing still, but to prime it he always stopped still. Now when Wetzel Was run by Indians he made long strides like a lengthened out dog trot. Ame.d this was the way he was coming to me; but the Indians were jumping and yelling along in a, manner that would soon tire them out. As quick as I saw the Indians I fired at them, and my heels began to do me service, for, I ran with. all my might. Wetzel soon overtook me, and said : 'Trot, Josh, and keep the trail.' We hadn't got over a mile, when Wctzel said: 'There's only four of them now. I'll pop the foremost.' And he did. By this time I was nearly give out running. 'Don't run. They's a good piece behind now, Josh. Just trot along.' I then did as he told me. This was easier going. But we hadn't got far before one of the Indians, who had ̊cut across, came out right on us. Wetzel turned to fire, but the Indian' caught the barrel of his gun. Wetzel was too sharp for him He jumped past be Indian. This turned the muzzle, right against the Indian's breast, when Wetzel pulled the trigger and the Indian fell dead. We were off again with two Indians still after us. When we got on the top of the hill just above where Woodmansee's tavern now stands Wetzel said : 'Josh, at the next hill there's a high bank and clump of bushes right below it. You jump down and lay there Until the Indians pass. They'll follow me. I'll meet you at the creek.' When we got to the bank I jumped down. and laid right in the bushes. The foremost Indian passed on the run. Directly another came up opposite to me and sort of, halted. Then I heard the crack of Wetzel's rifle. The Indian on the bank went, Whew ! No catch, him gun loaded all the time !' and started back as fast as he could run. Wetzel met me at the creek, about where the pike crosses, and we went home at our ease. In about a week we went back eand buried Mills. He was scalped and his ankle broke by the bullet. In all the accounts I've seen published. they say Wetzel treed several times. This is not so; 'Wetzel never treed if the Ime.dians were after him." THE GOBBLER INDIAN. "For several winters in turkey time, we had been plagued by an Indian who could "call" so much like a turkey, that me.o one could tell the difference. He would secrete himself, and when our men would be creeping along, expecting every minute to shoot a turkey, he'd shoot them. Sometimes he would station himself on Wheeling hill, sometimes on the island, but most commonly on the point of one of the ridges north or south of Wheeling creek, on the Ohio side. We called him at the fort "the Gobbler Indian." Well, in January, 1788, on the 12th day, or old Christmas, which was always punctually kept at the fort, we had two large turkeys roasted, and a lot of twelfth-day cake baked. Twelfth-day cake is made of unleavened dough, slightly sweetened with spice, cloves and cinnamon bark worked in 'it, and then baked in a Dutch oven like a loaf of light bread. And a nice bread it was, too. It was baked a clay or two before, and eat cold. When we were killing the turkeys, Wetzel had the feet of one cut off up where the feathers come on, and the wime.gs at the first joint before it was scalded. These he put away in his hunting bag very carefully. After dinner he took' a drum-stick bone, punched a hole in the joime.t ends, and then fixed a * Woodmansee's tavern was on the farm now owned by C. H. Arick, about four miles east of St. Clairsville. 18—B. & J. COS. piece of quill shaved down thin in the big end. This he put away with the other things. In a few days it turned warm, and the sun shone strong, melting the snow where it hit, leaving it still sticking on the north side of the hills and ridges. The night was pretty cold, and froze the ground hard. The next morning an hour or two before :day, Wetzel got up, took his rifle down, swung his hunting bag over his shoulder, and went out of the fort. The rest I'l tell you as he told me: "I crossed over the river, went up the north side of Wheeling creek about a mile, then made to the top of the ridge, came back on the ridge something over half a mile. It was now good daylight. I went as careful as I could down to where the snow was still on, and made some tracks along its edge with my turkey feet. I then came on down the ridge within a hundred yards of the place where I intended to hide myself. I then sighted along the upper edge of the snow straight to my hiding place, and wherever there was snow on that line, I made turkey tracks, toes east, but kept clear of the snow with my own feet. When I got about twenty steps of my place to hide, the ground raised little, and there was right smart of snow. I here made tracks, as near as I could, like a turkey does when. it's about to fly to roost. I then fixed the wings and flapped them in the snow. now went back a hundred yards or more and crossed clown on the south side of the ridge, and came back to the river. I then went up the point .of the ridge to my hiding place. I took my drum-sticks and began to call like a turkey. In a little. while my call was answered, and presently a large Indian came in sight, leaning down and going to and fro, as if hunting a trail. I kept on calling; he answered. After a little he came to my line of turkey tracks, stooped down and examined them closely, looked up into the trees., and began making long, cautious steps, still looking in the trees. I still called; he answered, and came on towards me. I now examined my priming, and rubbed the frizzen and flint with a piece of punk, to be sure of my shot. By this time he had got to the little raise, looked down and gave a grunt; then looked about, up in the trees, and then down at the track's again. He kept moving so, I was afraid to shoot for fear I'd miss. He now lifted his gun in his left hand, turned it sideways and struck it with his right Ho then stood still and looked right towards me. I pulled on him. He threw up his hands, trembled and fell backward. He didn't get his turkey this time, and.. I reckon we won't be plagued with the 'gobbler' Indian any more. WETZEL'S SKILL AS A HUNTER. "A little before Wayne's victory," continues Mr. Davis, "and while I was living on Short creek, I made a visit to Fort Henry. Wetzel had just got back from Kentucky, where he had been spending a year or two with his brother. Now, a little piece below Dillie's Fort, there lived a chap named Michael Forshay. He was about thirty, and had some experience as a scout, and Was desperate conceity about his skill in hunting Indians. Tie didn't know Wetzel. Forshay came up to the fort on the seconed evening I was there, and the way he bragged on himself was amusing, as he always spread himself the most when Wetzel was in hearing. He wanted to know who Wetzel was, but we all took the cue and told him he was a fellow just come in from the mountains. Well, Forshay gave us one of his big ones, and declared that no Indian, or white man either, could come in on him when he was in the woods. Wetzel smiled in a sneering way, and Forshay saw it. This kind of flustered him, but he was soon under full headway again. Wetzel couldn't stand boasting any longer, so he said to him: "See here, Mister, I'm not much on a hunt, but I'll bet you the liquor for the crowd that I can come in on you in spite of you, and you won't see nor hear me until I strike you on the shoulder, and you may pick your ground and name which shoulder I'm to hit, into the bargain. "Forshay, after giving a horse laugh, took the bet. He was about enough in liquor to venture quick. The next day, pretty late in the morning preparations were made to decide the bet. Myself and Dan Carpenter were chosen judges, and we and Wetzel and Forshay went over to the Ohio side. No others went, as Wetzel said he wanted Forshay to have a fair chance, and any more would distract his attention. "Forshay picked his ground a little west of Captain Kirkwood's old cabin, and a good place he took for his side. It was where there was no undergrowth for nearly a quarter of an acre in circuit, with only a few trees standing on it, and all around it a thicket. Besides, on the north side there was a very steep bank, leaving only three sides for Forshay to guard. When we got to Kirkwood's cabin, Wetzel made us go on to 138 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. pick the ground, while he went up on the side of the hill south of us. When Forshay was ready, Carpenter and I sat down by a big tree near the steep bank, about twelve feet from him, and called out, "All ready. In o few seconds Wetzel answered, " keep a bright look out, Forshay, or I'll take your scalp for you.. " Ready "—stringing out the last syllable. We all kept silent. Forshay watched very sharp. and I never passed through a deeper silence. I could hear my heart beating. We didn't hear the rattle of a leaf, or see the shaking of a bush. I thought Wetzel would me.ever comc in. Forshay was turning his head this way and that, around and around; but presently Wetzel darted, more like a ghost than anything else, from behind a tree, and struck Forshay on the shoulder, who falling, sprang out of his tracks, crying out : " You beat me this time, but you can't do it again." Wetzel made no reply, but walked away, and in a little bit called out nom the hillside, "Ready !" I never saw a man kcep a sharper lookout than Forshay did this time; but before any of us thought that Wetzel could come the distance be was away, he sprang out of his cover and touched Forshay on the shoulder. He gave up the wager like a man, when we got back to the fort. How Wetzel got over the dry leaves without making them rattle, or through the bushes and not shake them, I can't tell; but he did it so that none of us heard or saw him until he made his last leap to touch Forshay." WINS A REWARD FOR AN INDIAN SCALP. In thc summcr of 1786, the Indians having become trouble some in the neighborhood of Wheeling, particularly in the Short creek settlement, and a party having killed a man near Mingo bottom, it was determined to seme.d an expedition after the retreating enemy, of sufficient force to chastise them most effectually. A subscription or pome.y purse was made up, and one hundred dollars were offered to the man who should bring, in the first Indian scalp. Major McMahan, living at Beech bottom, headed the expedition, and Lewis Wetzel was one of his men. They crossed the river on the 5th of August, and proceeded, by a rapid march, to the Muskingum. The expedition numbered about twenty men; and an advance of five were detailed to reconnoitre. This party reported to the commander that they had discovered the camp of the enemy, but that it was far too numerous to think of making an attack. A consultation was thereupon held, and an immediate retreat determined on. During the conference Lew. Wetzel sat upon a, log, with his gun carelessly resting across his knees. The moment it was resolved to retreat most of the party started in. disordered haste, but the commander, observing Wetzel still sitting on the log, turned to inquire if he was not going along. "No," was his sullen reply; "1 came out to hunt Indians, and now that they are found am not going home, like a fool, with my fingers in my mouth. I am determined to take an Indian scalp or lose my own." All arguments were unavailing , and there they were compelled to leave him, a lone man, in desolate wilderness, surrounded by an enemy—vigilant, cruel, bloodthirsty, and of horrid barbarity—with no friend but his rifle, and no guide but the sure index which an All-Wise Providence has deep set in the heavens above. Once by himself, and looking around to feel satisfied that they were all gone, he gathered his blanket about him, adjusted his tomahawk and scalping-knife, snouldered his rifle, and moved off in an opposite direction, hoping that a small party of Indians might be met with. Keeping away from the larger streams, he strolled on cautiously, peering into every dell and suspicious cover, and keenly sensitive to the least sound of a dubious character. Nothing, however, crossed his path that day. The night being dark and chilly, it was necessary to have a fire; but to show a light, in the midst of his enemy, would be to invite certain destruction. To avoid this he constructed a small coal pit out of bark, dried leaves, etc. and covering these with loose eartn, leaving an occasional air 'hole, he seated himself, encir-cling the pit witn his legs, and then completed the whole by covering his head with the blanket. In this manner he would produce a temperature equal, as he expressed it, to that of a stove room." This was certainly an original and ingenious mode of getting up a fire, without, at the same time, endanger-ing himself by a light. During most of the following day he roamed through the forest without noticing any "signs" of Indians. At length smoke was discovered, and, going in the direction of it, he found a camp, but tenantless. It contained two blankets and a small kettle, which Wetzel at once knew belonged to two Indians, who were, doubtless, out hunting. Concealing himself in the matted undergrowth, he patiently awaited the return of the occupants. About sunset ome.e of the Indians came ime. and made up the fire, and went to cooking his supper. Shortly after the other came in. They ate their supper and began to sing, and amuse themselves by telling comic stories, at which they would burst into roars of laughter. Singing and telling amusing stories was the common practice of the white and red men when lying in their hunting camps. About nine or ten o'clock one of the Indians wrapped his blanket around him, shouldered his rifle, took a, chunk of fire in his hand and left the camp, doubtless with the intention of going to watch a deer-lick. The fire and smoke would serve to keep off the gme.ats and mosquitoes. It is a remarkable fact that deer are not alarmed at seeing fire, from the circumstance of meeting it so frequently in• the fall ame.d winter seasons, when the leaves and grass are dry and the woods on fire. The absence of the Indian was a cause of vexation and disappointment to our hero, whose trap was so happily set that he considered his vane secure. He still indulged the hope that the Indian would return to camp before day, but in this he was disappointed. There are birds in the woods which commence chirping just before break of day, and, like the cock, give notice to the woodsmame. that light will soon appear. Lewis heard the wooded some.gsters begin to chatter, and determime.ed to delay no longer the work of death for the return of the other Indian. He walked to the camp with a noiseless step, and found his victim buried in profound sleep, lying upon one side. He drew his scalping-knife,, and with the utmost force, impelled by re-venge, sent the- blade through his heart. He said the Indian gave a short quiver, a come.vulsive motion, and then laid still in the sleep of death. Lewis scalped him, ame.d set out for home. He arrived at the Mingo bottom only one day after his unsuccessful companions. He claimed and received the reward. ANOTHER VERSION OF THE "GOBBLER INDIAN " STORY. Mr. Jacob, in his life of Patrick Gass, gives the following in relation to Lewis Wetzel and the story of the " Gobbler Indian." "A noted instance of his success in circumventing the "red skins," is given in the romantic story of "Old Cross Fire," which has more than once gone the rounds of the papers and is substantially true ; and to this day, the spot is pointed out where an Indian, having concealed himself amome.g the rocks on the precipitous bank of the creek, near Wheeling, had decoyed and shot several white, men, by imitating the noise of a turkey, was himself killed by Wetzel, while in the very act of "gobbling" for a victim. The identical rock behind which the Indian was come.cealed was in existeme.ce about three-fourths of a mile from the mouth of Wheeling creek,* until a few years ago, when it was split up for building purposes, and sold by the owner of the ground. It is to be regretted that the rock was not preserved, as a standing memorial of the Indian times, at a monument to the brave and intrepid hunter, who has give his name, however, to a county in our good old Commonwealth. Had it been named Wetzel's rock, it would have remained object of interest for ages, perhaps; and thus effectually perpetuated his name, and proven a source of gratification to those who would desire justice done to the memory of tne pioneers. Like many other men of his contemporaries, Wetzel had private injuries to revenge upon the Indians, and his hatred of the was bitter and relentless. † They murdered several of kindred, and he himself with an elder brother had been prisoners among them when boys, and effected their escape by extraordinary address and courage arid he vowed eternal enmity. Like too many men of his class, he had somewhat loose ideas the sanctity of laws and treaties with Indians, when they interfered with the gratification of his vengeance ; and it is I ported of him that he scrupled not to take a shot when occasion offered, even though in time of peace. Of course such conduct was not only discreditable to the good faith of the whites, but was vitally dangerous to their security from Indian vengeance. He was warned and admonished of the danger to the peace of the settlements of such an uncompromising hostility, and was *De Hass states that the Indian was secreted in a cave. The cave described, is within present limits of the City of Wheeling, and about fifty or sixty feet to the right of the west entrance of the Hempfield railroad tunnel under the " Peninsula." † It is claimed by some that this story, and others of Wetzel's later exploits, are fiction in all respects, save the killing of the Indians—that Wetzel persisted in killing Indians a peace had been made with them and that many of his acts were therefore simply those marauder. HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 139 finally arrested in Ohio, and imprisoned on charge of murder, for shooting. an Indian in time of peace. He would doubtless have been visited with the rigors of the law, but popular sympathy was in his favor. The whole country side flocked to the place of his confinement, demanding his discharge, under penalty of demolishing the jail and delivering him by force, and the result of the demonstration was, that ne was, by some un-accountable means, released. ATTACKS AN INDIAN CAMP OF FOUR. A singular custom with this daring "borderer was to take a fall hunt into the Indian country. Equippin.g himself, he set out and penetrated to the Muskingum, and fell upon a camp of four Indians. Hesitating a moment whether or not to attack a party so much his superior in numerical strength: he determined to make the attempt. At the hour of midnight he moved cautiously from his covert, and, gliding through the darkness, stealthily approached the camp, supporting his rifle with one hand and a tomahawk with the other. A dim flicker from the camp fire faintly revealed the forms of tne sleepers, wrapped in that profound slumber, which, to part of them was to know no waking. There they lay, with. their dark 'faces turned up to the night-sky, in the deep solitude of their own wilderness, little dreaming that their most relentless enemy was hovering over them. Quietly resting' his gun against a tree, he unsheathed his knife, and with an intrepidity that could never be surpassed, stepped boldly forward, like the minister of death, and quick as thought cleft the skull of one of his sleeping victims. In an instant a second one was similarly served and as a third attempted to rise, confused by the horrid yells with which Wetzel accompanied his blows, he, too, shared the fate of his companions and sunk dead at the feet of this ruthless slayer. The fourth darted into the darkness of the wood and escaped, although Wetzel pursued him some distance. Returning to camp, he scalped his victims, and. then left for home. When asked on his return. what luck, "Not much," he replied. "I tree'd four Indians but one got away." This un-exampled achievement stamped him as one of the most daring, and, at the same time, successful hunters of his day. The dis- tance to and from the scene of this adventure could not have been less than one hundred and seventy miles. During one of his scouts, in the neighborhood of Wheeling, he took shelter, on a stormy evening, in a deserted cabin. Gathering a few broken boards he prepared a place on the loft scarcely had he got himself adjusted for a nap when six Indians entered, and striking a fire, commenced preparing their homely meal. Wetzel watched their movements closely, with drawn knife, determined, the moment he was discovered, to leap into their midst, and in the confusion endeaver to escape. Fortunately, they did not see him, and soon after supper the whole six fell asleep. Wetzel now crawled noiselessly hid himself behind a log, at a convenient distance from the door of the. cabin. At early dawn a tall savage stepped from the door, and stretching up both hands in a long, hearty yawn, seemed to draw in new life from the pure, invigorating atmosphere. In an instant Wetzel had his finger upon the trigger, and the next moment the Indian fell heavily to the groume.d, his life's-blood gushing upon the young grass brilliant with the morning dew drops. The report of his rifle had not ceased echoing through the valley ere the daring borderer was far away, secure from all pursuit. LEWIS WETZEL'S TROUBLE WITH GENERAL HAMAR. Some time after General Harmar had erected a fort at the mouth of the Muskingum, where Marietta now stands, about 1789, Lewis Wetzel entered his service. His new duties growing distasteful, he took leave of absence .and visited his friends in the neighborhood of Wheeling. Shortly afterwards, however, he returned to duty, and was chiefly employed in the capacity of scout. It was whilst thus engaged that he became involved in troubles that changed the whole current of his career. Among the Indians who visited General Harman's post at Marietta, there was one of considerable celebrity whose name was George Washington, and who possessed much influence in his tribe. While making one of his scouts, Weitzel met this Indian and shot him. General Harmar had issued a proclamation, giving, notice that a cessation of arms was mutually between the white and redmen, till an effort for a treaty of peace should be concluded. As treaties of peace with Indians had been so frequently violated, but little faith was placed in the stability of such engagements by the frontiermen ; notwithstanding that they were as frequently the aggressors as were the Indians. Half the backwoodsmen of that day had been born in a fort, and grew to manhood, as it were in a siege. The Indian war had continued so long, and was so bloody, that they believed war with them was to continue as long as both survived to fight. With these impressions, as they considered the Indians faithless, it was difficult to inspire confidence in the stability of treaties. The killing of this Indian was justly regarded as an outrage, and it was soon rumored to General Harmar that Lewis Wetzel was the murderer, and he accordingly had him arrested and placed in close confinement in the fort. " Wetzel admitted, without hesitation, that he had shot the Indian. As he did not wish to be hung like a dog, he requested the general to give him up to the Indians, as there were a large number of them present. 'He might place them all in a circle, with their scalping-knives and tomahawks, and give him a tomahawk, and place him in the midst of the circle, and then let him and the Indians fight it out in the best way they could. The general told him 'Tnat he was an officer appointed by the law, by which he must be governed. As the law did not authorize him to make such a compromise, he could not grant his request. After a few days longer confinement, he again sent for the general to come and see him, and he did so. Wetzel said he had never been confined, and could not live much longer if he was not permitted some room to walk about.' The general ordered the officer on guard to knock off his iron fetters, but to leave on his handcuffs, and permit him to walk about on the point at the mouth of the Muskingum; but to be sure to keep a close watch upon him. As soon as they were outside of the fort gate, Lewis began to caper about like a wild colt broken loose from the stall. He would start and run a few yards, as if he were about making an escape, then turn round and join the guard. The next start he would run further and then stop. In this way he amused the guard for some time, at every start running a little further. At length he called forth all his strength, resolution and activity, and determined on freedom or an early grave. He gave a spring forward and bounded off at the top of his speed for the shelter of his be-loved woods. His movement was so quick, and so unexpected, that the guard were taken by surprise and he got nearly a hundred yards away before they recovered from their astonishment. They fired, but all missed; they followed in pursuit, but he soon left them out of sight. Being well acquainted with the. country, he made for a dense thicket about two or three miles from the fort. In the midst of this thicket he found a tree which had fallen across a log, where the brush was very close. Under this tree he squeezed his body. The brush was so thick that he could not be seen unless Ole spot was examined very closely. As soon as General Harmar knew of his escape he sent a number of soldiers and Indians in pursuit. "After he had lain about two hours in his place of concealment two Indians came into the thicket and stood on the same log under which he lay concealed; his heart beat so violently he was afraid they would hear it thumping. He could hear them hallooime.g in every direction as they hunted through the brush. At leme.gth, as the evening wore away the day, he found himself alone in the friendly thicket. But what should he do? His hands were fastened with iron cuffs and bolts, and he knew of no friend on the same side of the Ohio to whom he could apply for assistance. He had a friend who had recently put up a cabin on the Virginia side of the Ohio, who, he had no doubt, would lend him every assistance in his power. But to cross the river was the difficulty. He could not make a raft with his hands bound, and though an excellent swimmer, it would be risking too much to trust himself to the stream in that disabled condition. With the most gloomy foreboding of, the future he left the thicket as soon as the shades of night began to gather, and directed his way to the Ohio, by a circuitous route, which brought him to a lonely spot, three or four miles below the fort. He made to this place, as he expected guards would be set at every point where he could find a canoe. On the opposite shore he saw an acquaintance, Isaac Wiseman by name fishing in a canoe. Not daring to call to him, as he could not know whether his enemies were not within sound of his voice he waved his hat for some time to attract the notice of his friend, having previously induced him to direct his eye that course by a gentle splashing in the water. This brought Wiseman to his assistance, who readily aided his escape. Once on the Virginia shore he had nothing to fear, as he had well-wishers all through the country, who would 140 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. have shed blood, if necessary, for his defence. It was not, however, until years had elapsed, and General Hamar returned to Philadelphia, that it became safe for Wiseman to avow the act, such was the weakness of civil authority and the absolute supremacy of military rule on the frontier. A file and hammer soon released him from the heavy handcuffs. After a night's rest had recruited his energies, he set out for fresh adventures, his friend having supplied him with a rifle, ammunition and blanket. After Wetzel's escape, information reached General Harmar of his whereabouts, and he sent a party of men in a canoe to take him. As the boat neared the Virginr.a shore, Wetzel, with his friend, and several other men, posted themselves on the bank and threatened to shoot the first man who landed. Unwilling to venture farther, the party returned, and Lewis made his way homeward, having been furnished by his kind friend with gun, ammunition, tomahawk, blanket, &c. Exasperated at the escape of Wetzel, General Harmar offered a. large reward for his apprehension, and at the same time despatched a, file of men to the neighborhood of Wheeling, with orders to take him dead or alive. The detachment was under the command of a Captain Kingsbury, who, hearing that Wetzel was to be at Mingo bottom, in what is now Jefferson county, Ohio, on a certain day, marched thither to execute his orders. An eye witness thus narrates this event: "A company of men could as easily have drawn Beelzebub out of the bottomless pit, as to take Lewis Wetzel, by force, from the Mingo bottom settlement. On the day that Captain Kings-bury arrived, there was a shooting match in the neighborhood, and Lewis was there. As soon as the object of Captain Kingsbury was ascertained, it was resolved to ambush the Captain's barge, and kill him and his company. "Happily Major McMahan was present to prevent this catastrophe, who prevailed on Wetzel and his friends to suspend the attack till he would pay Captain Kingsbury a visit; perhaps he would induce him to return without making an attempt to take Wetzel. With a great deal of reluctance, they agreed to suspend the attack till Major McMahan should return. The resentment and fury of Wetzel and his friends were boiling and blowing like the steam from the scape pipe of a steamboat. A pretty affair this,' said they, `to hang a man for killing an Indian, when they are killing some of our men almost every day.' Major McMahan informed Captain Kingsbury of the force and fury of the people and assured him that if he persisted in the attempt to seize Wetzel, he would have all the settlers in the country upon him; that nothing could save him and his fellows from massacre but a speedy return. The Captain took his advice, and forthwith returned to Fort Harmar. Wetzel considered the affair now as finally adjusted." Subsequently to Wetzel's escape, General Harmar removed his headquarters to Fort Washington, Cincinnati. One of his first official acts there was to issue a proclamation offering a reward for the capture and delivery of Wetzel at the garrison there. Wetzel was never long stationary, but ranged along the river from Wheeling to the falls of the Ohio. He was finally captured at Maysville, Kentucky, by Lieutenant Lawler, of the regular 'army, who was going down the Ohio, and taken to General Harmar, at Fort Washington. "The, noise of Wetzel's capture—and captured, too, for only killing an Indian—spread through the country like wild-fire. The passions of the frontiermen were roused to the highest pitch of fury. Petitions for his rclease were sent from the most influential men to the general, from every quarter whcre the story had been beard. The general at first paid but little attention to these; at length, however, the settlements along the Ohio, and some of the back counties, were preparing to embody in military array, to relcase him by force of arms. General Harmar, seeing the storm that was approaching, had Wetzel's irons knocked off, and set him at liberty." After gaining his freedom once more, Wetzel again returned to his friends in the vicinity of Wheeling. Shortly after this, occurred one of the most thrilling events of his life. RESCUE OF A GIRL CAPTURED BY THE INDIANS. While hunting one day, Wetzel fell in with a young hunter, who lived on Dunkard's creek, and was persuaded to accompany him to his home. On their arrival they found thc house in ruins and all the family murdered, except a young woman who had been bred with them, and to whom the young man was ardently attached. She was taken alive, as was found by examining the trail of the enemy, who were three Indians and a white renegade. Burning with revenge, they followed the trail until opposite the moutn of Captina, where the enemy had crossed. They swam the stream and discovered the 'Indians' camp, around the fires of which lay the enemy in careless repose. The young woman was apparently unhurt, but was making much moaning and lamentation. The young man, hardly able to restrain his rage, was for firing and rushing instantly upon them. Wetzel, more cautious, told him to wait until daylight when there was a better chance of success in killing the whole party. At dawn the Indians prepared to depart. The young man selecting the white renegade, and Wetzel the Indian, they. both fired simultaneously with fatal effect. The young man rushed forward, knife in hand to relieve the mistress of his. affections, while Wetzel reloaded and pursued the two surving Indians, who had taken. to the woods until they could ascertain the number of their enemies. Wetzel, as soon as he was discovered, discharged his rifle at random in order to draw them from their covert. The ruse took effect, and taking to his heels hie loaded as he ran, and suddenly wheeling about discharged his rifle through the body of his nearest and unsuspecting enemy. Tne remaining Indian seeing the fate of his companion, and that his enemy's rifle was unloaded, rushed forward with all energy, the prospect of prompt revenge being fairly before him. Wetzel led him on dodging from tree to tree, until his rifle was again ready, when suddenly turning he fired, and his remaining enemy fell dead at his feet. After taking their scalps, Wetzel and his friend, with their rescued captive, returned in safety to the settlement. This incident in the life of Wetzel, was made the subject of the romance, written by the novelist, Emerson Bennett, entitled, "Forest Rose'' some of the scenes of which were laid in Belmont county. WETZEL'S SUBSEQUENT HISTORY. A year or two after the treaty of Greenville, Wetzel left the upper Ohio for the South. He first went to Kentucky, and re-mained there with his brother, gaining a livelihood by hunting, until the purchase of Louisiana by the United States, when he went to New Orleans. Here, for a great many years, he earned a precarious living by. selling the pelts captured by him in his hunts. At last, on returning from a very successful excursion for game, laden with a. number of rich furs, he encountered on the wharf a sharper, who bought them in at high figures, palming off on Wetzel, in payment, a counterfeit bill on one of the Orleans banks. Wetzel, who could neither read nor write, and only knew the amount of the notes by their figures and who always confided in the honesty of white men, immediately passed the counterfeit to another. The base bill was finally detected and traced back to Wetzel. The sharper having departed, Wetzel's story availed him nothing, and having no money to redeem the bill himself, nor friends to do it for him, he was arrested and confined in prison for some time. Luckily for him, however, some of his friends of the upper Ohio arrived, lifted thc counterfeit bill, interceded for him with the authorities, and he was released. As soon as the bill was handed to him, he burst into tears, tore it up and threw the pieces into the river, exclaiming: "Too bad, too bad." He returned to Wheeling, but only remained a few days the neighborhood, and again went to the far southwest. Poi time he resided With a relative named Philip Sikes, living about twenty miles in the interior from Natchez. The late venerable David McIntyre of Belmont county, met him Natchez in April, 1808, and remained with him three days. Sikes afterwards removed on to the Brazos, in Texas, taking Wetzel with him, where, with a few companions, of the hunt class, he passed the remainder of his life free and happy as the untamed denizens of the forest. He died about the time the Texas ceased to be a, province and became an independent state, in his seventy-fifth year, and was buried near Austin by his brothers of the Woods. So passed away Lewis Wetzel, the hunter, whose own hand, it is said, laid seventy odd Indian warriors low in death. JOHN WETZEL was twice taken prisoner by the Indians. The first event already recorded in the sketch of Lewis. The second o occurred some years later, when he was about sixteen :years age. Four Indians prowling in the neighborhood of the old man Wetzel's, had captured the horses, taken off the bell, a: secreted themselves in the thicket, expecting that the la, would attract the attention of the owners, and they should the HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 141 easily capture them or take their scalps. Supposing that the horses had strayed away in the woods, John was sent in search of them. One of the lost animals was a mare with a young foal, belonging to John's sister, and she had offered the colt to John the mare. He soon fell in with a neighbor boy, named Frederick Earlywine, a son of Jacob Earlywine, who lived on lands adjoining the elder Wetzel. The boys hearing the well known tinkle of the bell, approached the spot where the Indians lay concealed, and when near enough the savages rushed out and captured them, but not until John, in attempting to escape, had been Shot through the arm. Young Earlywine refused to go with the Indians as their prisoner, and they killed him. The farm on which this occurrence took place is situated in Sand Hill district, Marshall county, W.. Va., and is now owned by Jacob Earlywine, a grandson of its owner at that time. John having had similar previous experience, made light of his capture, and, with his wounded arm, cheerfully went along with the Indians. The party struck the Ohio river early the following morning; at a point near the mouth of Grave creek. Here, after killing a hog, three of the Indians, with their prisoner, got into a canoe, and the other, having mounted the horse to swim over all prepared to cross the river. But before the canoe got started 'the three Indians were shot by Hamilton Carr anid Isaac Williams, and John was rescued. After his return, he conveyed the family of young Earlywine, who had not learned his fate, to the place where he was killed. His body was found and buried in a hollow near the place of the capture. In the spring of 1792 the Indians on the Sandusky, having become very bold since their victory over General St. Clair, in November preceding, made many raids. on the border settlers along the Ohio between Wheeling and the Mingo bottom, sometimes killing or capturing whole families, at other times stealing horses and whatever else they could carry away After one of these forays, a, party of settlers determined to follow the Indians and recapture several fine horses which had been taken. This party consisted of John Wetzel, who was its leader, William McColloch, John Hough, Joseph Hedges, Kinzie Dickerson, and a Mr. Linn all having considerable experience in border warfare. They started from a point nearly opposite Steubenville an crossing the Ohio, proceeded northward through Jefferson county, until they struck the old trail leading from Fort Pitt to the Indian towns on the Sandusky, by Laurens, on the Tuscarawas. On reaching the first Indian town on the trail, which was located on Mohican creek, they found their horses, which they took, and started on their night. Fearing that they might be pursued and overtaken if they returned by the old trail, a southeasterly course was taken, which brought them to the Tuscarawas, in the vicinity the vicinity of what is now Newcomerstown. From thence the lower and less traveled trail. was followed, which brought the party to Will's creek, within half a mile of the present town of Cambridge, in Guernsey county, where they arrived in the evening of the second day after recapturing the horses. Here one of the party was attacked with a severe cramp colic, in consequence of which a halt for the night was made, and a guard placed on the back trail to watch for any pursuers that might be .after them. Late in the night, and when all were asleep in the camp, the guard, having occasion. to go to a little brook which emptied into the creek a short distance below the camp, noticed that the water was muddy, and believing the cause to be Indians coming down in the water to prevent detec-tion, aroused Wetzel and informed him of the discovery. Wet-zel went and examined the water, and decided that the muddy streaks in it were the result of raccoons or muskrats' moving about in the brook, and then resumed his blankets, after joking the guard about his unfounded alarm. From this the guard deemed it unnecessary to keep so strict a watch, and remained close to the camp. About half an hour after this- transpired a volley was fired into the camp from behind the bank of the brook, arid, the sick man was riddled with bullets as he lay on the outside.. In an instant a party of savages bounded into the camp, yelling and brandishing their tomahawks in a terrific manner, and at the same instant the white men fled, leaving most of their arms, blankets, &c., in the camp. In the fight that ensued three whites were killed on the ground, and Wetzel and the other succeeded in making their way to Wheeling after great suffering from hunger and fatigue. The bodies of the killed were shortly afterward buried by a party collected by Captain John McColloch, and went out from Wheeling for that purpose. The Indians who made this assault were a party of the Monseys, accompanied by some of the old converts of the Moravians who had relapsed into heathenism after the breaking up of the missions in 1782, and who had returned to the Tuscarawas valley because they knew the country so well, and for the purpose of killing all the white people they could find in revenge for the massacre at Gnadenhutten. They had come upon the Wetzel party while returning to the valley from an unsuccessful expedition to the border settlements east of the Ohio, and were not a party of pursuers, as has been stated in some accounts. The names of those killed in this affair were Joseph Hedges, Thomas Biggs, and William Linn. William McColloch, one of the survivors of the party, settled at Zanesville in 1799, and afterwards became a prominent officer in the war of 1812, under General Hull. John Wetzel and Dickerson died in the country within a few miles of Wheeling. John Hough afterward settled in Ohio and died near Columbia. Some time after the foregoing adventure, John Wetzel and Veach Dickerson, associated together to go on an Indian scout. They crossed the Ohio at the Mingo bottom, below Steuben-ville. They set off with the avowed intention of bringing an Indian prisoner. They painted and dressed in complete Indian style, and could talk some in their language. What induced them to undertake this hazardous enterprise is now unknown. Whatever whim may have induced them, they set off with the avowed intention of bringing in a prisoner, or losing their own scalps in the attempt. They pushed through the Indian country with silent tread and a keen lookout, till they went near the head of the Sandusky river, where they came near a small Indian village. They concealed themselves close to a path which appeared to be considerably traveled. In the course of the first day of their ambush, they saw several small companies of Indians pass them. As it was not their wish to raise an alarm among the enemy, they permitted them to pass undisturbed. In the evening of the next day they saw two Indians coming sauntering along the road in quite a merry mood. They immediately stepped into the road, and with a confident air, as if they were meeting friends, went forward until they came within reach of the enemy. Wetzel now drew his tomahawk, and with one sweep knocked an Indian down; at the same instant Dickerson grasped the other in his arms, and threw him on the ground. By this time Wetzel had killed the other, and turned his hand to aid in fastening the prisoner. This completed, they scalped the dead Indian, and set off with the prisoner for home. They traveled all night on the war path leading towards Wheeling. In the morning they struck off from the path, and making diverse courses, and keeping on the hardest ground, where their feet would make the least impression, they pushed along until they had crossed the Muskingum some distance, when their prisoner began to show a restive, stubborn disposition: he finally threw himself on the ground and refused to rise. He held down his head, and told them they might tomahawk him as soon as they pleased, for he was determined to go no farther. They used every argument they could think of to induce him to proceed, but without any effect. He said he would prefer dying in his native woods than to preserve his life a little longer, and at last be tontured by fire, and his body mangled for sport, when they took him to their towns. They assured him his life would be spared, and that he would be well used and treated with plenty. But all their efforts would not induce him to rise to his feet. The idea that he would be put to death for sport, or in revenge, in presence of a large number of spectators, who would cnjoy with rapture the scenes of his torture and death, had taken such a strong hold of his mind, that he determined to disappoint the possibility of their being gratified at his expense). As it was not their wish to kill him., from coaxing they concluded to try if a hickory, well applied, would not bend his stubborn soul. This, too, failed to have any effect. He appeared to be as callous and indifferent to the lash as if he had been a cooper's horse. What invincible; resolution and fortitude was evinced by this son. of the forest! Finding their efforts to urgc him forward ineffectual, they determined to put him to death. They then tomahawked and scalped him, and left his body a, prey to the wild beasts of the forest and to the birds of the air. The scalp-hunters then returned home with their two scalps; but vexed and disappointed that they could not bring with. them the prisoner. MARTIN WETZEL. Martin, who was the oldest of the family, was once surprised and taken prisoner by the Indians, and remained with them a 142 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. long time. By his cheerful disposition and apparent satisfaction with their mode of life, he disarmed their suspicion, acquired their confidence, and was adopted into one of their families. He was free, hunted around the town, returned, danced. and frolicked with the young Indians, and appeared perfectly satisfied with his change of life. But all the time his heart was brooding on an escape, which he wished to render memorable by some tragic act of revenge upon his confiding enemies. In the fall of the year Martin and three Indians set off to make a fall hunt. They pitched their camp near the head of Sandusky river. When the hunt commenced, he was very careful to return first in the evening to the camp, prepare wood for the night, and do all other little offices of camp duty to render them comfortable. By this means he lulled any lurking suspicion which they might entertain towards him. While hunting one evening, some distance from the camp, he came across one of his Indian campmates. Martin watched for a favorable moment, and as the Indian's attention was called in a different direction, he shot him down scalped him, and threw his body into a deep hole which had been made by a large tree torn up by the roots, and covered his body with logs and brush, over which he strewed leaves to conceal the body. He then hurried to the camp to prepare, as usual, wood for the night. When night came one of the Indians was missing, and Martin expressed great concern on account of the absence of their comrade. The other Indians did not appear to be the least concerned at the absence of their companion; they both alleged that he might have taken a large circle, looking tor new hunting ground, or that he might have pursued some wounded game till it was too late to return to camp. In this mood the subject was dismissed for the night ; they ate their supper and lay down to sleep. Martin's mind was so full of the thoughts of home, and of taking signal vengeance on his enemies, that he could not sleep; he had gone too far to retreat, and whatever was done must be done quickly. Being now determined to effect his escape at all hazards, the question he had to decide was whether he should make an attack on the two sleeping Indians, or watch for a favorable opportunity of dispatching them one at a time. The latter plan appeared to him to be less subject to risk or failure. The next morning he prepared to put his determination into execution. When the two Indians set out on their hunt, he determined to follow one of them (like a true hunting dog on a slow trail) till a fair opportunity should present itself of dispatching him without alarming his fellow. He cautiously pursued him till near evening, when he openly walked to him and commenced a conversation about their day's hunt. The Indian being completely off his guard, suspecting no danger, Martin watched for a favorable moment, when the Indian's attention was drawn to a different direction, and with one sweep of his vengeful tomahawk laid him lifeless on the ground, scalped him, tumbled his body into a sink-hole and cove-red. it with brush and logs. Ile then made his way to the camp, with a firm determination of closing the bloody tragedy, by killing the third Indian. He went out and composedly waited at the camp for the return of the Indian. About sunset he saw him coming with a load of game that he had killed, swung on his back. Martin went for-ward under the pretense .of aiding to disencumber him of his load. When the Indian stooped down to be detached of his load, Martin, with one fell swoop of his tomahawk, laid him in death's eternal sleep. Being now in no danger of pursuit, he leisurely packed up what plunder he could conveniently carry with him, and made his way to the white settlements, where he safely arrived with the three Indian scalps, after an absence of nearly a year. JACOB WETZEL AND SIMON KENTON. Of Jacob Wetzel's history writes McDonald, I can give but a meagre account, although I have heard of many of his exploits in the old Indian war. Rutnay recollection of them is so indistinct and confused, that I will not attempt to relate but one of the numerous fights in which he was engaged. In that battle he had a comrade who was his equal in intrepidity, and his superior in that cautious prudence which constitutes the efficient warrior. That headstrong fury with which many of our old frontiersmen rushed into danger, was the cause of many distressing disasters. They frequently, by their headlong course, performed. such successful actions, that if any military exploits deserve the character of sublime, they were eminently such. The following relation I had from General Kenton. He and Wetzel made arrangements to make a Fall hunt together, and for that purpose they went into the hilly country near the mouth of the Kentucky river. When they arrived where they intended to make their hunt, they discovered some signs of Indians having preoccupied the ground. It would have been out of character in a Kenton and a Wetzel to retreat without first ascertaining the description and number of the enemy. They determined to find the Indian camp, which they believed was at no great distance from them, as they had heard reports of guns late in the evening and early the next morning in the same direction.. This convinced them that the camp was at no great distance from the firing. Our heroes moved cautiously about, making as little sign as possible, that they might not be discovered by the enemy. Towards evening of the second day after they arrived on the ground, they discovered the Indian camp. They kept themselves concealed, determined, as soon as night approached, to reconnoitre the situation and number of the enemy ; and then govern their future operations as prudence might dictate. They found five Indians in the camp. Having confidence in themselves and in their usual good fortune, they concluded to attack them boldly. Contrary to military rules, they agreed to defer the attack till light—they chose day-light and an open field for the fight. There was a large fallen tree lying near the camp; this would serve as a rampart for defence and would also serve to conceal them from observation till tne battle commenced. They took their station behind the log, and there lay till broad daylight, when they were able to draw a clear bead. Jacob Wetzel had a double barreled rifle. Their guns were cocked—they took. aim, and gave the preconcerted signal—fired, and two Indians fell. As quick as thought, Wetzel fired his second load, bringing down the third Indian. Tneir number was now equal, so they bounded over the log, screaming and yelling at the top of their voices, to strike terror into their remaining enemies, and were among them before they recovered from their sudden surprise. The two remaining Indians, without arms, took to their heels, and ran in different directions. Kenton pursued one, whom he soon overhauled, tomahawked and scalped, and then returned with the bloody trophy to camp. Shortly after, Wetzel returned with the scalp of the fifth Indian. This was a wholesale slaughter, that but few except such men as Kenton and Wetzel would have attempted. ANDREW AND ADAM POE—THE FIGHT WITH THE BIG INDIAN. The names of Andrew and Adam Poe long since became famous throughout the length and breadth of the land, in consequence of the desperate encounter with two Indians on the banks of the Ohio river, one of whom gained an equal celebrity under the name of "Big Foot." The narrations of the famous combat that appeared in old books on border warfare and those handed down by tradition are full of conflicting statement: and much that has been published is totally unreliable. It is the purpose of this sketch to correct some of these errors, and after describing the memorable event, to add some facts pertaining to the history of the story of Poe and "Big Foot." Andrew Poe was born in Frederick county, Maryland, September 30, 1742. His father, George Toe, possessed a large property in that county, but was murdered by an Irishman in his employ when Andrew was fourteen years of age. Soo after Andrew became of age, finding he would get none of hi father's estate, he left his mother and brother, with whom he had still lived, and came to Pittsburgh Pa., and workcd in that neighborhood for several years until he acquired a, little property. He then, in company with two young men, went to Harmon's creek, in Washington county, Pa., (then Virginia. where each of them selected for himself a tract of land, an commenced making the first improvement in that. part, an pursued their labor undisturbed for several years. Adam Pc was six years younger than Andrew. When he became of age Andrew returned to Maryland and induced him to come t Harmon's creek, and Adam also took up a farm, and their little settlement increased to ten or twelve families. Adam Poe was married in 1778, and Andrew in 1780. "The Indians became very troublesome about this time This little settlement was about twelve miles back froth the Ohio river. The Indians very often came across the river int the settlement in small parties, and killed a number of the in habitants. Such as were active on foot went in small. scouting parties into the Indian settlements to learn their strength an retaliate their injuries. Andrew Poe went frequently on those HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 143 excursions, as he was of a daring spirit and inured to all the perils of the woods. In fact both these brothers were "back-woodsman" in every sense of the word. They were shrewd, active and courageous, and having fixed their abodes on the frontier of civilization, determined to contest inch .by inch with the savages, their right to the soil, and their privilege to live. In appearance they were tall, muscular and erect, with features indicating great strength of character. Andrew, in general contour of his face, differed somewhat from that of brothor, while the freshness of his color indicated a better his degree of health than the sallow complexion of the other. were endowed with an unusual degree of Both, however, strength, and woe to the .man who dared engage in single combat with either. In the fall of 1781, there was an occurrence on the, Ohio which stamped the character of one as a man of no ordinary make. The place of combat was near the mouth of Tomlinson's run, and about two miles below Yellow creek, in what is now Hancock county, West Virginia. The settlements in this region suffered from a number of incursions made by the Indians at that time. Early in the month of August, the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanese and other Indians, with over three hundred warriors, assembled at the Moravian towns on. the Muskingum (now Tuscarawas) for the purpose of making prisoners of the missionaries and Christian Indians, and carrying them to Sandusky. The scheme also being to take the missionaries, Heckwelder, Zeisberger and others, to Detroit, and try them as spies against the British government. The ostensible leader of the expedition was the Half King, the principal chief of the Wyandots. After remain. ing at the Moravian towns for about a month, the warriors started on their return with their prisoners. On the 20th of September, after having reached a point some distance up the Walhonding river, the Half King sent out a party of seven young Wyandot warriors, among which were three of his sons, to make a stroke upon the white settlers across the Ohio river. They proudly set out upon their expedition, crossed the river, penetrated the settlement in the neighborhood of the Poes, and broke into the house of William Jackson, a man about sixty years of age. He being alone in the, they him prisoner. Jackson's son, a young man about seventeen years of age, who had left his cabin a short time previously, on returning discovered the Indians having his father a prisoner in the yard, and unobserved by them, fled to the fort creek to give the alarm. This took place as evening was approaching. The Indians then tried to break into but a house in the same vicinity, where several men were lodging, but failed to get in, they made off with their prisoner. These men also gave the alarm, and the settlement was soon collected. Preparations were made for following the Indians as early the next morning as it would be light enough to see the trail, and at the first dawn of day twelve of the settlers, mounted on horseback, started in pursuit of the marauders. They followed the trail at the greatest possible speed until they reached the top of the river hill, which vvas about twelve miles. There they hitched their horses, as the hill was steep, and traveled on foot. When they arrived at the bottom of the hill, near to the Ohio, the trail turned down the river, and in crossing a little stream that put into the river, now known as Tomlinson's run, Andrew observed that where the Indians had stepped into the water it was still riley, and cautioned the. men to keep quiet, that the Indians were very near and would hear them and kill the prisoner, as the men were making considerable noise with their feet by running. After several friiitless efforts to quiet them, he left the company, turning off square to the right, went to the bank of the river, and, looking down, about twelve feet below him. he saw two Indians standing about half bent, with their guns in their hands, looking down the river in the direction of the noise. He observed that one was a very large man. The thought struck him that he:would shoot the big one and take the other prisoner. Accordingly, he squatted down in the weeds, they not having observed him. He crept up to the brow of the bank, put his gun through the weeds, took deliberate aim. at the big Indian who was three feet in advance of the other, but his gun missed' fire. When the gun snapped they hoth yelled, " Woh ! Woh !! " Poe immediately drew his head back, and the Indians did not see him. By this time the other men had overtaken the other five Indians with the prisoner, who were about one hundred yards lower down the river, and had begun to fire, which drew the attention of these two. Andrew cocked his gun and crept to the very edge of the bank, and again leveled his gun at the big Indian, but again it missed fire. He dropped the piece and sprang instantly on them. They, on wheeling about at the snap of his gun, were brought side by side, but had not time even to raise their guns before Andrew was upon them. He threw his weight on the big Indian, catching each of them around the neck. His weight coming on them so suddenly threw both down. The big Indian fell on his back,. Andrew fell with his left side on. him and his left arm around his neck. The little Indian fell rather behind Andrew, whose right arm was around his neck. Their guns both fell. One of them laid within reach of Andrew, who observed that it was cocked. The Indians had a raft fastened to the shore close by where they were standing, the river being very high. Their tomahawks and shot pouches, with knives, were on the raft. Andrew's knife was in the scab-bard attached to his shot pouch, which was pressed between them. He got a slight hold of the handle, and was trying to draw it out to dispatch the big Indian, who, observing it, caught his hand, and spoke in his own tongue very vehemently to the other, who was struggling very hard to get loose. Andrew made several efforts to get his knife, but in vain. At last he jerked with all his might. The big Indian instantly let go, and Andrew, not having a good hold of the handle, and the knife coming out unexpectedly easy in consequence of the big Indian instantly loosing his grasp, it flew out of Andrew's hand, and the little Indian drew his head from under his arm, his grasp being slackened by the act of drawing his knife. The big Indian instantly threw his long arms around Andrew's body and hugged him like a bear, whilst the little Indian sprang to the raft, which was about six feet off, and brought a tomahawk and struck at Andrew's head, who was still lying on his side on the big Indian, he holding him fast. Andrew threw up his foot as the stroke came and hit the Indian on the, wrist with the toe of his shoe, and the tomahawk flew into the river. The big Indian yelled at the little Indian furiously, who sprang to the raft and got the other tomahawk, and, after mak-ing several motions, struck at Andrew's head, who threw up his right arm and received the blow on his wrist, which cut off one bone of it and the cords of three of his fingers, disabling. all the fingers of his right hand but the fore finger. Andrew immediately threw his hand over his head when he was struck, and the tomahawk, catching in the sinews of his arm, drew it out of the Indian's hand, and it flew over his head. After the stroke was given the big Indian let go his hold, and Andrew immediately sprang up. As he rose he seized the gun, which lay by his head, with his left hand, and it being already cocked, he shot the lesser through the body. But scarcely had he done so when the big Indian arose, and, placing one hand on his collar and the other on his hip, he threw him into the river. Andrew threw his hand back, and caught the Indian by his buckskin breech-clout, and brought him along into the stream. The water being deep, they both went under. Then a desperate effort was made by each to drown the other, and sometimes one was under the water, sometimes the other and sometimes both. In the struggle they were carried about thirty yards out into the river. Poe at length seized the tuft of hair on the scalp of the Indian, by which he held his head under water until he supposed him drowned. But he himself was sinking; not being able to do much with his right hand, he threw it on the back of the Indian's neck, who was under water, and swam with his left hand, to recruit himself a little. But the Indian had only been "possuming," and got from under Andrew's arm and swam for shore with all his speed. Poe followed him as fast as he could, but having only one hand to swim with, he could not catch him. As soon as the Indian got out of the water the gun being uncocked, he went to cock it and disabled the clock. He then threw it down and picked up the empty gun with which Andrew had shot the other Indian, and went to the raft for the shot pouch and powder horn, and commenced loading. In the meantime, as soon as the Indian reached the spot where both guns and tomahawk lay, Andrew swam back into the river and called for his brother Adam, who was with the other party. Adam came running on the bank where Andrew had jumped off, stopped, began to load his gun, as he had discharged it at the other Indians. Andrew continued swimming away from them, with nothing but his face out of the water, still hurrying Adam to load quickly. The race between the two in loading was about equal, but the Indian drew the ramrod too hastily and it slipped out of his hands and fell a little distance from him. He quickly caught it up and rammed down his bullet. This little delay gave Poe the advantage, so that just as the 144 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. Indian raised his gun to shoot Andrew, Adam's ball entered the breast of the savage, and he fell fbrward on his face upon the very margin of the river. Adam, now alarmed for his brother, who was scarcely able to swim jumped into the river to assist him to shore, but Andrew, thinking more of the honor of securing the big Indian's scalp as a trophy than his. own safety, called loudly upon his brother to leave him alone and scalp the big Indian. Adam, however, refused to obey, and insisted upon saving the living before attending to the dead. In the meantime the savage had succeeded in reaching the deep water before he expired, and his body was borne off by the waves without being stripped of the ornament and pride of an Indian warrior. An unfortunate occurrence took place during this conflict. Just as Adam arrived at the top of the bank for the relief of his brother, the balance of his party, hearing the hallooing of Andrew, came running up the bank, and seeing him in the river, mistook him for a wounded Indian, and three of them fired at him, one of them wounding him dangerously. The ball entered his right shoulder near the junction with the neck, behind the collar bone and close to it; passing through his body, the ball came out at his left side, between the first rib and the hench bone. During the contest between Andrew Poe and the two Indians, the, rest of the party followed the Indian trail to the river, where the other five Indians were with the prisoner, Jackson. They had a large raft, and were preparing to cross the river. Jackson seeing the men coming as soon as the Indians did, ran to them. One of the Indians having a tomahawk, ran after him and struck him on the back making but a slight wound. The men fired on the Indians, who returned the fire and plunged into the river. They did not capture any of the Indians, but being badly wounded only one of them got across the river, and he was shot through the hand. The Indians firing at our men, wounded but one of them. He was shot slightly through the side, but the ball cut his lungs, and he died in about an hour. His name was Cherry. The party took the dead man, Cherry, and Andrew Poe up the river to the horses, and then took them on horseback home. THE ORIGINAL STORY OF ADAM POE AND " BIG FOOT." This story gained its greatest notoriety and credence by its publication in Doddridge s Notes, but was first published in an old magazine, from which it was copied verbatim by Dr. Doddridge. The writer of the Old magazine article invented the name of "Big Foot," and got the names of Adam and Andrew Poe transposed, erroneously stating that it was Adam who had grappled with the big Indian This error, however, was corrected by some later writers, properly giving the credit to An-drew, and also correcting the date from 1782 to 1781. But the Wyandots never had a chief called Big Foot, nor was either of the Indians engaged with the Poes known by that name. The chief of the Wyandots was the Half King, and the two Indians engaged with the foes were his sons, but neither was a chief, nor was either of unusual size, though one was somewhat larger than the other. Three, of the Indians in the raiding party, as before stated, were sons of the Half King, one of whom was the leader, named Scotash. The latter was wounded in the hand, and was the only one who escaped and returned to his tribe to tell the fate of his brothers and companions. The encounter was a desperate one from the fact that Poe grappled with both of them and before he succeeded in killing the smaller one, he had been severely wounded in the wrist by a blow from his tomahawk. It is stated that Scotash, the warrior who escaped from the terrific combat, made his way to the Wyandot town near Upper Sandusky, crossing the Tuscarawas on the trail above Fort Laurens, and before entering the Wyandot town, announced his coming, by a series of dismal howls, which indicated that the expedition had been defeated and his brothers killed. This solitary survivor remained in the woods a whole day giving vent to his grief by moaning and howling alternately. The whole Wyandot tribe long mourned the loss of the Sons of the Half King. It is also stated that when they received the news of this disastrous defeat their indignation knew no bounds, and that they at once put to death a number of prisoners then in their hands. Among those who were spared was a young man named George Folks. He owed his life to a young squaw who had fallen in love with him and procured his return home, near Darlington, Beaver county, Pa., where he lived to an old age. In after years two young squaws from the Wyandot reservation made him a visit, and received many presents to take back home. Many of the facts connected with this affair are obtained from the manuscript account by Thomas Edgington of his captivity with the Wyandots. Thomas Edgington was the father of the late Jesse Edgington, who resided in Brooke county, W. Va., nearly opposite Steubenville. Some time after a occurrence of the Poe fight he was captured when on his way from his cabin, at the mouth of Harmon's creek, to Col. Jas. Brown's fort, to borrow of him a log chain. The Indians came suddenly upon him, made signs to him to surrender, but essaying to escape by running, he was mired in the creek, and they took him prisoner, hurrying him with them over the river and on to the Indian towns. Simon Girty happened at the towns afterwards, and through him he ascertained that the Indian, whose prize he was, ovas no other than the surviving brother of the Poe fight—bearing on his hand the scar of a severe wound there received. The Indian stated that, on finding himself disabled by this wound, he stole away from the fight and, swimming the river, hid in the bushes until dark. He then constructed a raft, recrossed tne river and recovered the bodies of his slain brothers except that of the one who floated off, as narrated by the whites. He conveyed them to the Ohio side, and there interred them. He then, being wounded and the last of three stout brothers, took up his sorrowful way back to his tribe, where their deaths were sorely lamented for many days. Mr. Edgington paid a high tribute to Indian virtue in his description of this warrior. According to his account he was the " noblest, best man—the man of the best principle he ever knew—white, black or red." Sometimes the other Indians would impose upon the captive. His master would pat him on the back to encourage him to fight, and would applaud his manly resistance. Sometimes when they would double on him his captor would interfere with knife and hatchet, and cut and slash right and left. He would share with him his blanket, and robe, giving Edgington the largest share, and divide with him his last morsel of Meat. "Edgington was finally released and returned home after a two years' captivity, but always held in grateful remembrance his kindhearted Indian master." SUBSEQUENT HISTORY OF THE POES. Andrew Poe was straight and tall, being six feet and two inches tall, with large bones, covered with well developed sinews and muscles, and though he weighed over two hundred pounds, he carried no superfluous flesh. Broad shoulders, slightly, rounded, and a deep, full chest, were surmounted by a large and well balanced head—the whole physique indicating great strength and extraordinary power. of endurance. His large hazel eye, slightly acquiline nose and thin compressed lips, indexed the firmness and strength' for which he was distinguished. He sold his possessions on Harmon's creek and purchased a tract of land lying near Hookstown, Beaver county, Pa., to which he removed in 1790. The cabin in which he lived, ing been burned by the Indians during his absence from home, he built, in 1795, a large, two-story, hewed log house,. upper story was left without windows, and was intended as a kind of fort, in case of an attack by the Indians, and as a general store-house for provisions, grain, gears, saddles and other things likely to be carried off by the Indians. This house is still standing, and is occupied by one of his descendants. It is in a good state of preservation, only two of the logs on the west end showing any signs of decay. The port holes pierced in either end, though filled up with brick, are plainly visible. Some of the heavy pins put in the walls upon which to hang harness, and also two brackets, made of the forks of dogwood limbs upon which he hung his trusty rifle, still remain as he left them. The oaken floor was made of boards sawed from the log by a whip saw, and is fastened down with wrought iron nails. It is sound and solid, and looks as though it might last until another centennial. No one can look upon this old building, that has stood while nearly four generations have passed away, and not regard it with feelings of inteest. It is one of the few remaining links connecting the present with the heroic generation of the past century. Andrew Poe was a member of the Presbyterian church at Mill Creek, Beaver county, Pa., during all or the greater part of the pastorate of the Rev. George Scott, which lasted for over forty years. HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 145 After a short illness, he died in peace, in 1831, at his residence above described, and his remains lie buried in the cemetery connected with Mill creek church. Adam Poe was not so tall as his brother, but physically, was equally well-formed, but differed more widely from him in his social temperament. After removing from Harmon's creek, he scttled at the mouth of Little Beaver, on the west side of the Ohio river, While residing here a circumstance occurred ncver before published, illustrative of his strength and courage. Four Indians had gone over to Georgetown and got drunk, and, having returned, slept off the, effects of their intoxication on the river bank. When they had sobered up, they demanded of Mr. Poe their guns. He told them he knew nothing about them. At this they got angny and commenced coming into the yard with the intention of attacking him. But as fast as they entered he caught them and threw diem over the fence. He repeated this two or three times, then going into his cabin, he told Iris wife to take the children and flee into the cornfield, that he would stay and defend the house. He seized his gun. and pointed it at the approaching savages, who seeing their danger fled to the woods and gave him no further trouble. It was also while he lived at this place that the Wyandots determined to assassinate him in revenge for their loss in this affair, and detailed one of their most fearless warriors to accomplish the deed. On the arrival of the Indian, Poe received him with friendship, and showered him with the kindest attention. Poe's cabin contained but one room, as they were built in those days, and but two beds, one for himself and wife, and a smaller one for the children: In the evening, the Indian intimated a desire to remain all night, if Poe and his wife did not object, when they assured him he was perfectly welcome, and made up a pallet on the floor before a huge log lire. Ronyeness, which was the Indian's name, lay awake until he was satisfied that le family were asleep. After struggling with various emotions for an hour, he arose and cautiously aproached the bed in which Poe and his wife were sleeping. Catching a glimpse of the faces of his intended were sleeping. Catching a glimpse of the moon shining through a window near the bed and falling upon. them, as he raised his tomahawk to deal the fatal blow, he was so impressed with the perfidy of the act, and so overcome by the recollection of the kindness that had been shown him. that his heart relented and he returned to his resting place and slept till morning. This Indian was a relative of the large Indian that Poe had killed, and traveled over a hundred miles to avenge his death by killing Poe, but spared his life through kindness. He had often attended the Christian Indian's meeting at their town on the Sandusky, and there, probably, had received the their religion. After wandering with the missionary, Zeisberger, for several years, he came to Goshen in 1798, a, convert, and there died. From Little Beaver, Adam Poe moved to a place six miles west of New Lisbon, and from thence to Wayne county. Ohio. After residing here a few years, the infirmities of age led him to seek a home with his eldest son Andrew, father of the late Adam Poe of the M. E. Church. He died, ot Massilon, Ohio, in 1840, in the 96th year of his age. When dying, he closed his own eyes with his fingers, and then quietly passed away. CAPTAIN SAMUEL BRADY. Of the many brave spirits who started into existence at the first drum-tap of the revolution, but few have become better known, or more respected in the west, than the gallant Brady, captain of the spies. At a very early age, this devoted partizan gave indications of future usefulness; exhibiting in all his movements a spirit and a purpose to do and dare, which marked him as a man of no ordinary character, and proved him fit for almost any emer-gency. Brady was emphatically the Marion of the west: Like the Chevalier Bayard, he "was without fear and without reproach." A bolder or braver man never drew a sword or fired a rifle ; and these marked elements of his nature rendered him. the terror of the Indian warrior, whether on the scout or in the wigwam, or he felt himself alike insecure from the noiseless vengeance of the "leader of the spies." No man stood higher in the esteem of the hardy settlers, and no name could inspire more of confidence and of safety, than that of Samuel Brady. During the whole of the fierce, protracted, and sanguine war which ravaged the frontier settlements of Virginia, Pennsylvania and 19-B & J. COS. eastern border of Ohio, from 1785 to .1794, no man could so quiet the trembling. and fear stricken settler's as Captain Brady. His presence, backed by the band of devoted followers who always stepped in his footprints, was felt as security everywhere. The fond mother, who in after years related to her children the many thrilling incidents of frontier life which she witnessed and passed through, never failed, as she thanked her Heavenly Father for having protected her little innocents from the scalping-knife and tomahawk, to express her heartfelt gratitude to him who had been the, instrumentality of saving her all from savage barbarity. Samuel Brady was born at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1756. His father, John Brady, was made a captain in the Colonial army, for his services in the old French and Indian wars. The family, at an early day, moved to the Susquehanna. On the breaking out of the Revolution, Samuel joined a volunteer company, and marched to Boston. Thc patriotic fervor of the youth, prompted the commander to offer young Brady a commission ; but his father objected, thinking he was too young, saying "First let him learn the duties of a soldier, and then he will better know how to act as an officer." In 1776, Samuel Brady was appointed a first Lieutenant. He continued with the army, and was in all the principal engagements until after the battle of Monmouth, when he was promoted to a captaincy, and ordered to the west under Colonel Brodhead. On their march, he had leave to visit his friends in Northumberland county. His father, in 1776, had accepted a captaincy in the 12th Pennsylvania regiment, been badly wounded at the battle of Brandywine, and was then at home. Whilst there, he heard of his brother's death, who had been murdered by the Indians on the 9th of August, 1778. Ho remained at home until 1779, and then rejoined his rcgiment at Pittsburgh. During the same year his father was murdered by the Indians; and then it was our hero swore vengeance against the whole race. Terribly, too, did he keep that vow. In 1779, the Indians became very troublesome in the settle-ments above Pittsburgh. Washington, as wc have elsewhere noticed, knew very well the only guaranty of safety was to strike the enemy at home. With this view he directed Colonel Brodhead to send some suitable person to their towns, who could ascertain their strength, resources, &c. Colonel Brodhead's keen military eye saw in Brady the very man for the service and, giving him the necessary instructions, the gallant soldier started on his perilous mission, accompanied by John Williamson and one of the Wetzel's. These men were so completely disguised as Indians, that it would almost have defied the skill and courage of a genuine chief, to detect thc deception. After a hurried march they reached the Indian town at Upper Sandusky, shortly after dark. Brady posted his men, then entered the town, and after a, thorough reconnoitre rejoined his companions, and commenced a rapid retreat. His keen eye had caught a lurking suspicion in some of those whom he met, and it was deemed important to get beyond their reach as rapidly as possible. With scarcely a moment's intermission, the three traveled all night, and stopping a few minutes in the morning, discovered the Indians were in pursuit. Increasing their movements, and adopting the pre-caution of traveling upon logs and avoiding direct routes the trio were soon beyond immediate danger. There mainder of that day, all of that night, and part of the third day, passed without any cause of apprehension. Fatigued and hungry, (their sole diet since leaving home having been parched corn and jerked venison,) the party concluded' to take a rest. Williamson stood guard while the others slept. Brady, at all timcs a great snorer, on this occasion gave vent to sounds, that, in the language of Williamson, "were enough to alarm all the Indians between here and Sandusky." Thinking a change of position might stop the nasal artillery, Williamson turned Brady, and then resumed his seat by the fire. Scarcely had he seated himself, when he detected the stealthy tread of a savage. Looking attentively in the direction of the sound, he saw an Indian cautiously approach, and waiting until he came nearly up, the guard took steady aim and fired. One convulsive spring, a heavy fall, and a deep groan, were all that could be secn or heard. His companions sprang to their fect and moved rapidly off, to avoid an attack ; but this was the only Indian, and the three traveled on without further attempt at molestation "The map furnished by General Brodhead was found to be defective. The distance was represented to be much less than it really was. The provisions and ammunition of the men were exhausted by the time they had reached the Big Beaver, on their return. Brady shot an otter, but could not eat it. The last load was in his rifle. They arrivect at an old encampment, 146 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. and found plenty of strawberries, which they stopped to appease their hunger with. Having discovered a deer-track, Brady followed it, telling the men he would perhaps get a shot at it. He had gone but a few rods when he saw the deer stand-ing broadside to him. He raised his rifle and attempted to fire, but it flashed in the pan. He sat down, picked the touch-hole, and then started on. After .going a short distance the path made a bend, and he saw before him a large Indian on horseback, with child before and its mother behind, and a number of warriors marching in the rear. His first impulse was to shoot the Indian on horseback, but as he raised the rifle he observed the child's head to roll with the motion of the horse. It was fast asleep and tied to the Indian. He stepped behind the root of a tree and waited until he could shoot the Indian, without danger to the child or its mother. "When he considered the chance certain, he fired, and the Indian, child, and mother, all fell from the horse. Brady called to his men, with a voice that made the forest ring, to surround the Indians, and give them a general fire. He sprung to the fallen Indian's, powder horn, but could not pull it off. Being dressed like an Indian, the woman thought he was one, and said Why did you shoot your brother?' He caught up the child, saying, 'Jenny Stoop, I am Captain Brady; follow me, and I will secure you and your child.' He caught her hand in his, carrying the child under the other arm, and dashed into the brush. Many guns were fired at him, but no ball touched, and the Indians, dreading an ambuscade, were glad to make off. The next day he arrived at Fort McIntosh, with the wo-man and her child. His men had got there before him. They had heard his war-whoop, and knew they were Indians the had encountered, but having no ammunition, had taken to their heels and run off. " The incursions of the Indians had become so frequent and their outrages so alarming, that it was thought advisable to retaliate upon them the injuries of war, and carry into the country occupied by them, the same system with which they had visited the settlements. For this purpose an adequate force was provided, under the immediate command of General Brodhead. An advance guard of scouts, among whom was Jonathan Zane, was under the command of Captain Brady. "The troops proceeded up the Allegheny river, and had arrived near the mouth of Redbank creek, now known by the name of Brady's bend, without encountering an enemy. Brady and his Rangers were some. distance in front of the main body, as their duty required, when they suddenly discovered a war party of Indians approaching them. Relying on the main body to force the Indians to retreat, when they would return by the same route they. had advanced on, Brady permitted them to proceed without hindrance, and hastened to seize a narrow pass, higher up the river; where the rocks, nearly perpendicular, approached the river, and a few determined men might successfully combat superior numbers." In a short time the Indians encountered the main body under Brodhead and were driven back. In full and swift retreat they pressed on to gain the pass between the rocks and the river, but it was occupied by- Brady and his rangers, who failed not to pour into their flying columns a most destructive fire. Many were killed on the bank, and many more in the stream. Corn-planter, afterwards the distinguished chief of the Senecas, but then a young man, saved himself by swimming. The celebrated war-chief of this tribe, Bald Eagle, was of the number slain on this occasion. "The army moved onward, and after destroying all the Indians' corn, and ravaging the Kenjua flats, returned to Pittsburgh. Beaver valley was the scene of many of Capt. Brady's stirring adventures. We have recently visited some of the interesting localities celebrated as Brady's theatre of action, and heard from many of the older citizens their accounts of his thrilling exploits. They speak in unbounded terms of admiration of daring and success; his many hairbreadth escapes by " field and flood;" and always concluded by declaring that he was a greater man than Daniel Boone or Lewis Wetzel, either of whom, in the eyes of the old pioneers, were the very embodiment of dare-devilism. The following, illustrating one of Brady's adventures in the region referred to, we give from a published source. In one of his trapping and hunting excursions, he was surprised and taken prisoner by a party of Indians who had closely watched his movements. To have shot or tomahawked him would have been but a small gratification to that of satiating their revenge by burn-ing him at a slow fire, in presence on all the Indians of their village. He was therefore taken alive to their encampment on the west bank of the Beaver river about a mile and a hal from its mouth. After the usual exultations and rejoicings a the capture of a noted enemy, and causing him to run tllere gauntlet, a fire was prepared, near which Brady was placed after being stripped and his arms unbound. Previous to tying him to the stake, a large circle was formed around of Indian men, women and children, dancing and yelling, and utterig all manner of threats and abuses that their small knowledge of the English language could afford. The prisoner looked or these preparations for death and on his savage foe with a film countenance and a steady eye, meeting all their threats with truly savage fortitude. In the midst of their dancing and rejoicing, a squaw of one of their chiefs came near him with child in her arms. Quick as thought, and with intuitive prescience, he snatched it from her and threw it into the midst of the, flames. Horror-stricken at the sudden outrage, the Indian simultaneously rushed to rescue the infant from the fire. Ir the midst of this confusion Brady darted from the circle, over turning all that came in his Way, and rushed into the adjacent thicket, with the Indians yelling at his heels. He ascended the steep side of a hill amidst a shower of bullets, and, darting down the opposite declivity, secreted himself in the deep ravines and laurel thickets that abound for several miles to there west. His knowledge of the country and wonderful activity enabled him to elude his enemies, and reach the settlements in safety. The following incident is from one of Brady's old soldiers : "On one of their scouting expeditions into the Indian country, the spies, consisting at that time of six men, encamped for the night at a place called 'Big Shell Camp.' Toward morn ing one of the guard heard the report of a gun, and, immediately communicating the fact to his commander, a change o position was ordered. Leading his men to an elevated point the Indian camp was discovered almost beneath them. Cautiously advancing in the direction of the camp, six Indian were discovered standing around the fire, while several other lay upon the ground apparently asleep. Brady ordered hi men to wrap themselves in their blankets, and lie down while he kept watch. Two hours thus passed without anything materially occurring. As day began to appear Brady aroused hi men and posted them side by side, himself at the end of the line. When all were in readiness the commander was to touch with his elbow the man who stood next to him, and the comunication was to pass successively to the 'farthest end. The orders then were, the moment the last man was touched, he should fire, which was to be the signal for a general discharge. With the first faint ray of light rose six Indians and stood around the fire. With breathless expectation the whites waited for the remainder to rise, but, failing, and apprehending a discovery, the captain moved his elbow, and the next instant the wild wood rang with the shrill report of the rifles of the spiel Five of the six Indians fell dead, but the sixth, screened by tree, escaped. The camp being large, it was deemed unsafe to attack it further, and a retreat was immediately ordered." Soon after the above occurrence, in returning from a similiar expedition, and when about two miles from the mouth of low. creek, at a place admirably adapted for an ambuscaded solitary Indian stepped forward and fired upon the advancing company. Instantly, on firing, he retreated toward ,a ravine, into which the savage helped to lead his pursuers. I Brady detected the trick, and in a voice of thunder ordered men to tree. No sooner had this been done than the concealed foe rushed forth in (Treat numbers, and opened upon the whites a perfect storm of leaden hail. The brave spies returned I fire with spirit and effect; but as they were likely to be overpowered by superior numbers, a retreat was ordered to the of the hill, and thence continued until out of danger. The whites lost one man in this engagement and two wound The Indian loss is supposed to have been about twenty in killed and wounded. The injuries inflicted on the Indians by the troops lin Gen. Brodhead quieted the country for some time. He kept spies. out, however, for the purpose of watching their motions and guarding against sudden attacks on the settlements. One of these parties, under the command of Capt. Brady, had French creek country assigned as their field of duty. The captain had reached the waters of Slippery Rock branch of Beaver, without seeing any signs of Indians; here, however, he came on an Indian trail in the evening, which followed till dark without overtaking them. The next morn- ing he renewed the pursuit, and overtook them while they w engaged at their morning meal. HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 147 Unfortunately for him, another party of Indians were in his rear ; they had fallen upon his trail, and pursued him doubtless with as much ardor as characterized his pursuit, and at the moment he fired upon the Indians in his front, he was, in turn, fired upon by those in his rear. He was now between two fires, and vastly outnumbered. Two of his men fell, his tomahawk was shot from his side, and the battle yell was given by the party in his rear, and loudly returned and repeated by those in his front. There was no time for hesitation, no safety in delay, no chance for successful defense in their present position ; the brave captain and his rangers had to flee before their enemies, who pressed on their flying footsteps with no lagging speed. Brady ran towards the creek. He was known by many, if not all of them, and many and deep were the scores to be settled between him and them. They knew the country well ; he did not; and from his running towards the creek, they were certain of taking him prisoner. The creek was, for a long distance above and below the point he was approaching, washed in its channel to a great depth. In a certain expectation of catching him there, the private soldiers of his party were disregarded, and throwing down their guns, and drawing their tomahawks, all pressed forward to seize their victim. Quick of eye, fearless of heart, and determined never to be a captive to the Indians, Brady comprehended their object and his only chance of escape, the moment he saw the creek; 8,nd by one mighty effort of courage and activity, defeated the one, and effected the other. He sprang across the abyss of waters, and stood, rifle in hand, on the opposite bank, in safety. As quick as lightning his rifle was primed, for it was his invari-able custom to prime first ; the next minute the powder horn was at the gun's muzzle, when, as he was in this act, a large Indian, who had been foremost in the pursuit, came to the opposite bank, and with the manliness of a generous foe, who scorns to undervalue the qualities of an enemy, said, in a loud voice and tolerable English, " Blady make good jump." It may indeed be doubted whether the compliment was uttered in derison, for the moment he said so he took to his heels and, as if fearful of the return it might merit, ran as crooked as a worm fence—sometimes leaping high, at others suddenly squatting down, he appeared no ways certain that Brady would not answer from the mouth of his rifle, but the rifle was not yet loaded. The Captain was at the place afterwards, and ascertained that his leap was about twenty-three feet, and that the water was twenty feet deep. Capt. Brady resided at one time in Wellsburg. He was tall, rather slender and very active, and of a dark complexion. When in the forest, engaged in war or hunting, he usually wore, instead of a hat, a black handkerchief bound round his head. He married a daughter of Captain Van Swearingen of Ohio county, who bore him two children, John and Van S. Captain Brady possessed all the elements of a brave and suc-cessful Soldier. Like Marion, "he consulted with his men respectfully, heard them patiently, weighed their suggestions, and silently approached his own conclusions. They knew his determination only by his actions.'' Brady had but few superiors as a woodman: he would strike out into the heart of the wilderness, and with no guide but the sun by day, and the stars by night, or in their absence, then by such natural marks as the bark and tops of trees, he would move on steadily, in a direct line toward the point of his destination. He always avoided beaten paths and the borders of streams; and never was known to leave his track behind him. In this manner he eluded pursuit, and defied detection. He was often vainly hunted by his own men, and was more likely to find them than they him. Such was Brady, the leader of the spies. He died at West Liberty, Ohio county, W. Va., in the year 1800, and was buried in the cemetery at that place. A small stone marks his grave. It is greatly to be regretted that no suitable monument, in recognition of his public services, marks his humble resting place. SIMON GIRTY, was born in Northwestern Pennsylvania. His father was an Irishman. " The old man was beastly intemperate. A jug of whisky was the extent of his ambition." Grog was his song, and grog would he have. His sottishness turned his wife's affection. Ready for seduction, she yielded her heart to a neighboring rustic, who to remove all obstacles to their wishes, knocked Girty on the head, and bore off the trophy of his Prowess." There were four children at the time of the father's death: Thomas, Simon, George, and James. During the old French war the three last were taken prisoners by the Indians. Simon was adopted by the Senecas, and became an expert hunter. His Indian name was Katepacomen. It must be passed to his credit that his early training as a savage was compulsory, not voluntary, as has generally been supposed. His tribe roamed the wilderness northwest of the Ohio; and when the expedition under Colonel Henry Bouquet, at the close of Pontiac's war in 1764, marched into the, western wilderness to punish the Ohio Indians, one of the hostages delivered to that commander by the latter was Girty. He escaped, however, soon after, and returned to his savage life. But, as one of the conditions of peace was the yielding up by the Senecas of all their captives willing or unwilling, Girty was compelled to re-turn to the settlements, making his home in the vicinity of Pittsburgh.. Girty look part in Dunmore's war in 1774, on the side of Virginia, during which time he was the bosom friend and companion of Simon Kenton. He was intimately acquainted with Colonel Crawford, taking sides with the latter in opposition to Pennsylvania rule, in the boundary controversy. He was frequently a guest at Crawford's hospitable cabin on the banks of the Youghiogheny. On the 22d of February, 1775, he was com-missioned an officer of the militia at Pittsburgh, taking the test and other necessary oaths upon that occasion. He aspired to a captaincy in the regular army; but in this he was disappointed; which, it seems, was the reason of his deserting to the enemy, early in the year 1778. It is probable, however, that his early education among the Senecas had much to do with his desire and resolution again to return to the wilderness. Much of his time previous to this had been employed in interpreting, as he was well skilled in Indian lore. General Hand was commandant at Fort Pitt when Girty deserted to the enemy. The greatest consternation was produced at Pittsburgh when the event became known, as with him went a squad of twelve soldiers and the notorious Elliott and McKee. From this defection the worst might reasonably be expected, as they would certainly have great power for mis-chief in persuading and assisting the Indians to murder and pillage. The now assured hostility of this ignoble trio of desperadoes to the government of the United States—Girty, Elliott and McKee—made at this time a dark outlook from the border across the Ohio. Their evil designs might be calculated on with certainty. And, as was feared, they went directly to the principal town of the now vascillating Delawares, situated upon what is the present site of Coshocton, Ohio, where they came very near changing the neutral policy of that tribe, as has already been observed, into one of open hostility against the Americans. They represented that the white people were embodying them selves for the purpose of killing every Indian they should meet, be he friend or foe; that the American armies were all cut to pieces by the British; that General Washington was killed; that there was no more Congress that the English had hung some of the members, and taken the rest to England; that the whole country beyond the mountains was in possession of their armies; and that a few thousand Americans on this side were all that were left in arms ; and that these, as just stated, were determined to kill all the Indians in the western country—men, women and children. Thus did Simon Girty signalize his return to the savages; but the Delawares still remained firm; and he and his two noted associates moved on to the westward, among the Shawanese upon the Scioto. However the principal chief of the Delawares sent word to that tribe not to put confidence in their representations: "Grandchildren! " (for so ran the message), "ye Shawanese! Some days ago, a, flock of birds, that had come on from the east, lit at our village, imposing a, song of theirs upon upon us, which song had nigh proved our ruin! If these birds, which, on leaving us took their flight toward Scioto, endeavor to impose a song on you likewise do not listen to them, for they lie!" Girty now started for Detroit. On his way thither he was captured by the Wyandots. Recognized, however, by some Senecas, the latter demanded him as their prisoner, stating at the same time the nature of their claim; that he had been adopted by them, and had afterwards joined their white ene-mies and taken up arms against them. But Leatherlips, distinguished Wyandot chief, ignored their claim to the prisoner. "By your own showing," said he, "he only returned to his own country and people. Ever after then you can have no claim upon him as one of your own. He is now found in our country bearing arms. He was captured by our warriors. He is Our prisoner." This argument was unanswerable, and the Senecas 148 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. yielded the point. But Girty stated to his captors, in the Seneca language,. that he had been badly treated at Fort Pitt, by his own. people, on account of being true to the king and his cause, and was therefore forced to leave the country ; and that he was dn. his way now to Detroit to take up arms against.. the Americans. He was thereupon set at liberty. Arriving at Detroit, Girty was welcomed by Hamilton, the commandant of the post, very cordially, and immediately employed in the Indian department, at sixteen, York shillings a .day, and sent back to the Sandusky, to assist the savages in their warfare upon the border. He took up his residence with the Wyandots. His influence soon began to be felt in the Indian Confederacy—sometimes with the. Shawanese and again with the Wyandots on their murderous forays into the border settlements; he was always a leader with them. Ms name became a household word of terror all along the border from Pittsburgh to the falls of the Ohio. With it was associated everything cruel and fiendlike. To the women and children in particular, nothing was more terrifying than the name of Simon Girty. Although he called himself "Captain Girty," yet whether. he ever. received a commission from the British government, as did his associate, Elliott, is a mooted question. His lack of education was probably the cause, if he was not commissioned; he-could not write his name. I is certain, however, that he was in the regular pay of Great Britain. Strangely enough, one of Girty's first exploits, after becoming fairly domiciled among the Indians, was highly creditable to him. Mention has been made of his intimacy, during Dunmore's war, with Simon Kenton. The latter was brought. a captive to the Mac-a-chack town, in September, 1778, at wnich time Girty also happened to be in the Shawanese villages. Kenton was under sentence of death, and was to be burned at Wapatomika, just below the site of the present village of Zanesfield, Logan county, Ohio, where he was now awaiting his doom. Girty came to see the prisoner, and, as the latter had been painted black—a custom among the Indians when captives are to be burned—did not recognize his old associate. A few words between them, however, was enough for a recognition; whereupon Girty threw himself into Kenton's arms, calling him his dear and esteemed friend. " Well,'' said he to Kenton, "you are condemned to die; but I will do all I can—use every means in my power to save your life." Girty immediately had a council convened, and made a long speech to the Indians, in their own language, to save the life of their prisoner. This they consented to, and Kenton. was placed under the care and protection of his benefactor, by. whom he was well cared for. The Indians, however, again condemned him to death, but Girty induced them to take him to Sandusky, when, at the interposition of a captain in the British service, he was sent to Detroit, and finally effected his escape. Girty now began his wild career against the border settlements. General McIntosh wrote from Fort Pitt, under date of 29th January following, that Captain Clark, of the Eighth Pennsylvania regiment, while returning from Fort Laurens with a sergeant and fourteen men, was attacked three miles from that post, by Simon Girty and a party of Mingoes, who killed two of his men, wounded four, and took one prisoner From this time onward, to the approach of Crawford and his army against Sandusky, his career is mostly known by his cruel visitations of the frontier. His headquarters were at Sandusky, where he exercised great influence over the Half King, head chief of the Wyandots. He was frequently at Detroit ; and De Peyster, the commandant,. who had succeeded Hamilton upon the capture of the latter at Vincennes,. on the 25th of February, 1779, by George Rogers Clark, found him ready for any under-taking, either against the Americans or the missionaries and their converts upon the Muskingum, as his hostility to the latter seemed unbounded as to the former. Sharing with him in his hate were his associates, Elliott and. McKee. In the early part of July, 1779, a party of Indians, led by Girty, attempted to kill or capture David Zeisberger one of the missionaries, who was then at Lichtenau, a Christian Indian village on the east bank of the Muskingum, two and a half miles below the site of the present town of Coshocton, Ohio, but which was deserted soon after. The missionaries, having re-ceived timely information of:the design by the arrival of Alexander McCormick, the trader living, at Sandusky, were on the alert ; and, although the Moravian teacher came near being captured or killed, yet the assailants were so warmly received by the Delawares, who showed a determination upon this occasion to protect Zeisberger by all the means in their power, that Girty was forced to retreat, "gnashing his teeth in impotent rage." Upon the arrival of the Christian Indians and their teachers in the Sandusky country, in October, 1781, they were brought almost face to face with their arch enemy, at the Half King's residence. Girty was one of the plotters of the scheme which resulted in the breaking up of the missionary establishments upon the Muskingum. He seemed to take delight in rudely treating the missionaries while in their winter quarters near Sandusky. The Moravian Heckwelder says: " At one time, just as my wife had set down to what was intended for our din-ner, the Half King, Simon Girty, and another Wyandot entered my cabin, and seeing the victuals ready, without ceremony began eating." In the final removal of the missionaries from the Indian country to Detroit, resulting in the entire disbanding of the Christian Indians, Girty was one of the chief instruments—a willing tool in the hands of the Half King—the power behind the throne. Pomoacan was determined to drive the Moravians from the Sandusky. In April, just previous to the advent of Crawford's army, Girty tried to induce McCormick, who was still a resident of the Half King's town, to write a letter to De. Peyster, at Detroit, for the Wyandot chief, implicating the missionaries as his enemies. But the trader refused. However, some one was found to write for him as he and Girty desired; and a response was soon received, ordering the Moravians to leave the country, and asking the Half King to give Girty assistance in bringing them and their families to Detroit. On the 1st day of March; a messenger, sent by tne Half King and Girty, arrived at the rude cabins of the missionaries, ordering them to appear before them the next morning to hear the letter read. Accordingly, two of them, Zeisberger and Heckwelder, although the order was for all to go, started for the residence of the chief, nearly eight miles down the river where they finally arrived after a toilsome' walk through the deep snow, and found Girty and the Half King already waiting' for them at the house of McCormick. At the. meeting Girty insulted the Moravians, giving them the letter to read, with a, string of black wampum to intimidate them. He extorted a written pledge from these teachers to meet him at Lower Sandusky in two weeks, with ail the missionaries and their families, to be conducted by him to Detroit. On the morning of the 13th of March a Frenchman named Francis Levallie from Lower Sandusky, informed the missionaries that Girty had gone, with a. war-party of Wyandots, against the border settlements upon the Ohio, and that he had been deputed to take his place. He told them, also, that Girty had ordered him to drive them before him to Detroit the same as if they were cattle, and not make a halt for the purpose of the women giving suck to their children; and that he should take them around the head of Lake Erie, and make them foot every step of the way. The humane Frenchman saw fit, however, to disobey orders. He treated them kindly; and in four days' journey 'brought them to Lower Sandusky, where they were hospitably received by Arundle and Robbins, traders from Detroit, while Levallie wrote to De Peyster to send boats for their transportation thence to their place of destination. Awaiting the arrival of the boats from Detroit, the missionaries became uneasy lest Girty should return from his murder ous foray against the Americans and find his orders disobeyed in which event they would have the worst to fear. "He did return," is the testimony of Heckwelder, "and, behaved like madman on hearing that we were here, and that our conductor had disobeyed his orders, and had sent a letter to the command and at Detroit respecting us. He flew at the Frenchman, who was in the room adjoining ours, most furiously, striking at him and threatening to split his head in two for disobeying the orders he had given him. He swore the most horrid oaths respecting us, and continued in that way until after midnight. His oaths were all to the purport that he would never leave the house until he split our heads in two with his tomahawh and made our brains stick to the walls of the room in which we were! I omit the names he called us by, and-the words made use of while swearing as also the place he 'would go to he did not fulfill all which he had sworn he would do to us. He had somewhere procured liquor, and would, as we were told by those who were near him, at every drink renew his oath which he repeated until he fell asleep. " Never before did any of us hear the like oaths, or know an one to rave like him. He appeared like an host of evil spirit He would sometimes come up to the bolted door between us al] him, threatening to chop it in pieces to get at us. No India we ever saw drunk would have been a match for him. Ho we should. escape the clutches of this. white beast in human form no one could. foresee. Yet at the proper time, relief was HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 149 at hand; for, in the morning, at the break of day, and while he was still sleeping, two laro:e flat-bottonned boats arrived from Detroit, for the purpose of taking us to that place. This was joyful news ! And seeing the letter written by the command-ant to Mr. Arundle respecting us, we were satisfied we would be relieved from the hands of this wicked white savage, whose equal, we were led to believe, was perhaps not to be found among. mankind," Girty afterwards returned to Sandusky and plotted against the Christian Indians, who, after their teachers were gone, disbanded, most of them proceeding to the Scioto, while others, as before mentioned, stopped for a while in the neighborhood, at Pipe's town—all intending to meet together, after some, time, on the Maumee and there establish themselves when Crawford's army approaching, a few, as already intimated, took up arms and joined the Delawares, under Captain Pipe. Shortly after the Christian Indians were thus scattered, news arrived of the probable invasion of the Sandusky country by the Americans, and Girty now busied himself in assisting the gathering together of the Indians to repel the invaders. His influence was as great with the war-chiefs of the Delawares as with Zhaus-sho-toh or the Half King. Elliott, therefore, upon his arrival at Sandusky, as before stated, found Girty full of excitement and ferocious zeal. Passing over the events of the few days following the advent of Elliott to the Indian lines, wherein Girty, as we shall hereafter see, played a, notable part, we loose trace of him to August following, when, the 16th of that month, we find him the leader of a large Indian force against Bryant's Station, five miles from Lexington, Kentucky. The Kentuckians made such a gallant resistance that the Indians become disheartened and were about abandoning the siege, when Girty, thinking he might frighten the garrison into a surrender, mounted a stump within speaking distance and commenced a parley. He told them. who he was; that he looked hourly for reinforce-ments with cannon, and that they had better surrender at once, if they did so, no one should be hurt; otherwise he feared they young be killed. The garrison were intimidated; but one man named Reynolds, seeing the effect of this harrangue, and believing his story as it was to be false of his own accord answered Mmt': "You need not be so particular to tell us your name, we know your name and you too. I've had o villainous. untrustworthy cur-dog this long while, named Simion Girty, in compliment to you; he's so like you—just as ugly and just as wicked. As to the cannon, let them come on; the country's roused, and the scalps of your red cut-throats, and your own too will be drying on our cabins in twenty-four hours." This spirited reply produced good results. Girty in turn was disheartened, and, with his Indians, soon withdrew. The country was indeed aroused. The enemy were pursued to the Blue after: , Licks, where, lying in ambuscade, the Kentuckians, three days suffered a cruel defeat. This, it is believed, was the last after d battle, Girty was in during the Revolution, as peace was soon after declared, and comparative tranquillity was restored along the western border. During the next seven years but little is recorded of the noted desperado. He, however, remained in. the Indian country, employed, it is believed, most of the time, in trading with the savages. Certain it is that he lost meanwhile none of their confidence or esteem, for, when war again broke out between the United States and the Indians of the Northwest in 1790, rendered famous by the campaign of Harmar of that year; of St. Clair, in 1791; and of Wayne, in 1794 ; Girty again became a famous character. After St. Clair's defeat, a grand council was held at the confluence of the Maumee and the Auglaize, by nearly all the Northwestern tribes to take into consderation the situation of affairs. Simon Girty was the only white man permitted to be present. His voice was for a continuance of the war. Another conference was held in 1793, and it was de-termined, mainly through the -exertions of Girty, to continue hostilities: But the decisive victories of the next \Tar, gained by Wayne, forever destroyed the power of the Indians of the Northwest, and the famous treaty of Greenville brought about an enduring peace, in 1795. In this second war against his countrymen, Girty made his first appearance, in the attack on Dunlap's Station, early in 1791—a point on the east side Of the Great Miami river, eight miles from the spot where the town of Hamilton now is, in Butler county, Ohio, and seventeen miles from Cincinnati. The station was most gallantly defended, and Girty was compelled to retire without effecting its capture. The last battle in which he was known to be actively engaged was at St. Clair's defeat, on the 4th of November, 1791, twenty-three miles north of the present town of Greenville, county seat of Darke county, Ohio. Among the dead he found and recognized the body of General Richard Butler, second in command of the American army. On the retreat and general rout of our army, Girty cap-tured a white woman. A Wyandot squaw who accompanied the warriors of her nation, perceiving this, demanded the prisoner, on the ground that usage gave all female captives to the women accompanying the braves. Girty refused and became furious, when some wanriors came up and enforced a compliance with this rule of the Indians, to the great relief of the prisoner. The woman was afterward sold to a respectable French family in Detroit. After this Girty was engaged in the Indian trade at Lower Sandusky, going thence to "Girty's town," on the St. Mary's, where he established a trading-house on the site of the present town of St. Mary's, in Mercer county, Ohio, which he must have abandoned while General Wayne was marching his army to the victory of the "Fallen Timbers" on the 20th of August, 1794, for he was present upon that occasion with his old associates, Elliott and McKee, though they kept at a respectable distance from the contest, near the river. After the treaty of Greenville, Girty sold his trading establishment at Girty's town to an Irishman named Charles Murray, 'and removed to Canada, where he settled on a, farm just below Malden, on the Detroit river. Girty married in the neighborhood and raised a family. In vain he tried to become a decent citizen, and command some degree of respect. The depravity of his untamed and undis-ciplined.' nature was too apparent. He was abhorred by all his neighbors. In the war of 1812, Girty, being then nearly, blind, was incapable of active service. After the capture of the British fleet on Lake Erie, in 1813, and upon the invasion of Canada immediately after, he followed the British army on their retreat, leaving his family at home. He fixed his residence at a Mohawk village on Grand river, Canada, until the proclamation of peace, when he returned to his farm below Malden, where he died in 1818,. aged over seventy years. "The last time I saw Girty," writes William Walker, "was in the summer of 1813. From my recollection of his person he was in height five feet six or seven inches; broad across the chest; strong, round, compact limbs, and of fair complexion. To any one scrutinizing him, the conclusion would forcibly impress the observer that Girty was endowed by nature with. great powers of endurance." Spencer, a prisoner among the Indians, who saw Girty before he left the Indian country, was not favorably, impressed with his visage: "His dark, shaggy hair; his low forehead; his brows contracted, and meeting above his short flat nose; his gray, sunken eyes, averting the ingenious gaze; his lips thin and compressed; and the dark and sinister expression of his countenance, to me seemed the very picture of a villain." No other country or age ever produced, perhaps, so brutal, depraved and wicked a wretch as Simon Girty. He was sagacious and brave ; but his sagacity, and bravery only made him a greater monster of cruelty. All of the vices of civilization seemed to center in him, and by him. were ingrafted upon those of the savage state, without the usual redeeming qualities of either. He moved about through the Indian country during the war of the Revolution and the :Indian war which followed, a dark whilwind of fury, desperation and barbarity. In the refinements of torture inflicted on helpless prisoners, as compared with the Indians, he "out -heroded Herod.' In treachery, he stood unrivaled. There ever rankled in his bosom a most deadly hatred of his country. He seemed to revel in the very excess of malignity toward his old associate:8. So horrid was his wild ferocity and savageness, that the least relenting seemed to be acts of positive goodness luminious sparks in the very blackness of darkness! "I have fully glutted my vengeance," said the Mingo Logan, when he had taken a scalp for each of his relations murdered ; but the revenge of Simon Girty was gorged with numberless victims, of all ages and of either sex! It seemed as insatiable as the grave itself And what is the more astonishing is, that such insatiety could arise in any human breast upon a mere fancied neglect!—for it will be remembered that he deserted to the enemy because of not being promoted to the command of a company ! Of Girty's fool-hardiness, there is ample testimony. He got into a, quarrel at one time with a Shawanese, caused by some misunderstanding in a trade. While bandying hard words to each other, the Indian, by an innuendo, questioned his opponent's courage. Girty instantly produced a half-keg of powder, and snatching a fire-brand, called upon the savage to stand.