USA > Massachusetts > Our western border : its life, combats, adventures, forays, massacres, captivities, scouts, red chiefs, pioneer women, one hundred years ago, containing the cream of all the rare old border chronicles > Part 36
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The whole of this Wetzel family were hunters and Indian fighters, but the most daring and reckless of all, and the one who has left the greatest name on the western border, was Lewis Wetzel. Of him more anon. We now propose first to treat of the father and brothers. The elder Wetzel spent much of his time in locating lands, hunting and fishing. In the very hottest time of the Indian troubles, he was so rash as to build his cabin at some distance from the fort. His neighbors frequently admonished him against exposing himself thus to the enemy ; but disregarding their advice, and laughing at their fears, he continued to widen the range of his excursions, until at last he fell a victim to the active vigilance of the tawny foe. He was killed near Captina, in 1787, on his return from Middle Island Creek, under the following cir- -
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cumstances : Himself and companion were in a canoe, paddling slowly near the shore, when they were hailed by a party of Indians, and or- dered 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 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. A rough stone marks the spot, bear- ing, in rude but perfectly distinct characters, "J. W., 1787."
MARTIN WETZEL MADE CAPTIVE-KILLS THREE SAVAGES.
Martin, who was the oldest of the family, was once surprised and taken prisoner by the Indians, and remained with them a 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 camp-mates. Martin watched for a favorable moment, and as the Indian's attention was called in a differ- ent 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 ex- pressed 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 cir- cle, looking for new hunting ground, or that he might have pursued
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JOHN WETZEL ON A HORSE-STEALING EXPEDITION.
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 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 determina- tion 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 oppor- tunity should present itself of dispatching him without alarming his fel- low. 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, Mar- tin watched for a favorable moment, when the Indian's attention was drawn to a different direction, and with one sweep of his vengeful tom- ahawk laid him lifeless on the ground, scalped him, tumbled his body into a sink-hole and covered it with brush and logs. He 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 forward 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.
JOHN WETZEL ON A HORSE-STEALING EXPEDITION.
In the year 1791 or '92, the Indians having made frequent incursions into the settlements along the river Ohio, between Wheeling and the Mingo Bottom, sometimes killing or capturing whole families ; at other times stealing all the horses belonging to a station or fort, a company consisting of seven men, rendezvoused at a place called the Beech Bot- tom, on the Ohio river, a few miles below where Wellsburg, W. Va., has been erected. This company were John Wetzel, William M'Cul- 21
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lough, John Hough, Thomas Biggs, Joseph Hedges, Kinzie Dickerson, and a Mr. Linn. Their avowed object was to go to the Indian town to steal horses. This was then considered a legal, honorable business, as the border was then at open war with the Indians. It would only be retaliating upon them in their own way. These seven men were all trained to Indian warfare and a life in the woods from their youth. Perhaps the western frontier, at no time, could furnish seven men whose souls were better fitted, and whose nerves and sinews were better strung to perform any enterprise which required resolution and firmness.
They crossed the Ohio, and proceeded with cautious steps and vigi -. lant glances on their way through the cheerless, dark and almost im- penetrable forest in the Indian country, till they came to an Indian town, near where the head waters of the Sandusky and Muskingum rivers interlock. Here they made a fine haul, and set off homeward with about fifteen horses. They traveled rapidly, only making a short halt, to let their horses graze and breathe a short time to recruit their strength and activity. In the evening of the second day of their rapid retreat, they arrived at Wells Creek, not far from where the town of Cambridge, Ohio, has been since erected. Here Mr. Linn was taken violently sick, and they, must stop their march, or leave him alone to perish in the dark and lonely woods. Our frontiermen, notwithstand- ing their rough and unpolished manners, had too much of my Uncle Toby's "sympathy for suffering humanity," to forsake a comrade in distress. They halted, and placed sentinels on their back trail, who re- mained there till late in the night, without seeing any signs of being pursued. The sentinels then returned to the camp, Mr. Linn still lying in excruciating pain. All the simple remedies in their power were ad- ministered to the sick man, without producing any effect.
Being late in the night, they all lay down to rest, except one who was placed as guard. Their camp was on a small branch. Just be- fore daybreak the guard took a small bucket, and dipped some water out of the stream ; on carrying it to the fire he discovered the water to be muddy. The muddy water waked his suspicion that the enemy might be approaching them and be walking down in the stream, as their foot- steps would be noiseless in the water. He waked his companions, and communicated his suspicion. They arose, examined the branch a little distance, and listened attentively for some time, but neither saw nor heard anything, and then concluded it must have been raccoons, or some other animals paddling in the stream. "After this conclusion the company all lay down to rest, except the sentinel, who was stationed just outside of the light. Happily for them the fire had burned down, and only a few coals afforded a dim light to point out where they lay.
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JOHN WETZEL CAPTURES AN OBSTINATE SAVAGE.
The enemy had come silently down the creek, as the sentinel suspected, to within ten or twelve feet of the place where they lay, and fired sev- eral guns over the bank. Mr. Linn, the sick man, was lying with his side towards the bank, and received nearly all the balls which were at first fired.
The Indians then, with tremendous yells, mounted the bank with loaded rifles, war clubs and tomahawks, rushed upon our men, who fled barefooted, and without arms. ' Mr. Linn, Thomas Biggs and Joseph Hedges were killed in and near the camp. William M'Cullough had run but a short distance when he was fired at by the enemy. At the instant the firing was given, he jumped into a quagmire and fell ; the Indians supposing that they had killed him, ran past in pursuit of others. He soon extricated himself out of the mire, and so made his escape. He fell in with John Hough, and came into Wheeling. John Wetzel and Kinzie Dickerson met in their retreat, and returned together. Those who made their escape were without arms, without clothing or provisions. Their sufferings were great ; but this they bore with stoical indifference, as it was the fortune of war. Whether the Indians who defeated our heroes followed in pursuit from their towns, or were a party of warriors, who accidentally happened to fall in with them, has never been ascer- tained. From the place they had stolen the horses, they had traveled two nights and almost two entire days, without halting, except just a few minutes at a time, to let the horses graze. From the circumstance of their rapid retreat with the horses, it was supposed that no pursuit could possibly have overtaken them, but that fate had decreed that this party of Indians should meet and defeat them. As soon as the stragglers arrived at Wheeling, Captain John M'Cullough collected a party of men, and went to Wells Creek and buried the unfortunate men who fell in and near the camp. The Indians had mangled the dead bodies at a most barbarous rate. Thus was closed this horse-stealing tragedy. Those who survived this tragedy continued to hunt and to fight as long as the war lasted. John Wetzel and Dickerson died in the country near Wheeling: John Hough died near Columbia, Ohio. The brave Cap- tain William M'Cullough fell in 1812, in the campaign with General Hull.
JOHN WETZEL CAPTURES AN OBSTINATE SAVAGE.
John Wetzel and Veach Dickerson associated to go on an Indian scout. They crossed the Ohio at the Mingo Bottom, three miles below where the town of Steubenville has since been constructed. They set off with the avowed intention of bringing an Indian prisoner. They
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painted and dressed in complete Indian style, and could talk some in their language. What induced them to undertake this hazardous enter- prise is now unknown ; perhaps the novelty and danger of the under- taking prompted them to action. No reward was given for either pris- oners or scalps; nor were they employed or paid by government. Every man fought on his own hook, furnished his own arms and am- munition, and carried his own baggage. This was, to all intents, a democratic war, as every one fought as often and as long as he pleased; either by himself, or with such company as he could confide in. As the white men on the frontier took but few prisoners, Wetzel and Dickerson concluded to change the practice, and bring in an Indian to make a pet.
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 at- tempt. 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 them. selves close to a path which appeared to be considerably traveled. In the course of the first day of their ambush, they saw several small com- panies 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 till 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 re- fused to rise. He held down his head, and told them they might toma- hawk 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 tortured by fire, and his body mangled for sport, when they took him
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WETZEL AND KENTON ATTACK AN INDIAN CAMP.
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 spec- tators, who would enjoy 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 it 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 resolu- tion and fortitude was evinced by this son of the forest ! Finding all their efforts to urge 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.
JACOB WETZEL AND SIMON KENTON ATTACK AN INDIAN CAMP.
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 In- dian war. But my 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 frontiermen 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 Wet- zel made arrangements to make a Fall hunt together, and for that pur- pose 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 re- treat 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
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firing. Our heroes moved cautiously about, making as little sign as pos- sible, that they might not be discovered by the enemy. Towards even- ing of the second day after they arrived on the ground, they discovered the Indian camp.
They kept themselves concealed, determined, as soon as night ap- proached, 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. In military affairs it is a general rule to avoid night fights, except where small numbers intend to assault a larger force. The night is then chosen, as in the darkness the numbers of the assailants being uncertain, may produce panics and confusion, which may give the victory to far inferior numbers. Our heroes chose daylight 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 observa- tion till the battle commenced. They took their station behind the log, and tliere 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 In- dians fell. As quick as thought, Wetzel fired his second load, and down fell the third Indian. Their number was now equal, so they bounded over the log, screaming and yelling at the highest pitch of their voices, to strike terror into their remaining enemies, and were among them be- fore they recovered from the sudden surprise. The two remaining In- dians, 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 the 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.
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LEWIS WETZEL, THE BOONE OF WEST VIRGINIA.
LEWIS WETZEL, THE BOONE OF WEST VIRGINIA.
1
Stout-hearted Lewis Wetzel Rode down the river shore, The wilderness behind him And the wilderness before .- Plympton.
But of all the Wetzel family Lewis was the most famous. Without 4 him the history of Northwestern Virginia would be like the "play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out." His presence was a tower of strength to the settlers, and for many years he was esteemed the right arm of their defence. With most of the famed hunters of the west, Indian fighting was only an episode-frequently a compulsory one-of their stormy lives, but with Wetzel it was a life business. He plunged reck- lessly into the fearful strife, and was never contented unless roaming the wilderness solitudes, trailing the savages to their very homes and rushing to combat, regardless of time, place or numbers. Bold, wary and tire- less, he stood without an equal in the perilous profession to which he had sworn to devote himself.
No man on the western frontier was more dreaded by the enemy, and none did more to beat him back into the heart of the forest, and reclaim the expanseless domain which we now enjoy. By many he is regarded as little better than a semi-savage-a man whose disposition was that of an enraged tiger-whose only propensity was for blood, but this De Hass (excellent authority) asserts was not true. He was never known to inflict unwonted cruelty upon women and children, as has been charged upon him ; and he never was found to torture or mutilate his victim, as many of the traditions would indicate. He was revengeful, because he had suffered deep injury at the hands of that race, and woe to the Indian warrior who crossed his path. He was literally a man without fear. He was brave as a lion, cunning as a fox ; " daring where daring was the wiser part-prudent when discretion was valor's better self." He seemed to possess, in a remarkable degree, that intuitive knowledge which can alone constitute a good and efficient hunter, added to which, he was sagacious, prompt to act, and always aiming to render his actions efficient. Such was Lewis Wetzel, the celebrated Indian hunter of Western Virginia.
At the time of his father's death, Lewis was about twenty-three years of age, and, in common with his brothers, or those who were old enough, swore sleepless vengeance against the whole Indian race. Terribly did
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OUR WESTERN BORDER.
he and they carry that resolution into effect. From that time forward, they were devoted to the woods; and an Indian, whether in peace or war, at night or by day, was a doomed man in the presence of either. The name of Wetzel sent a thrill of horror through the heart of the stoutest savage, before whom a more terrible image could not be con- jured up than one of these relentless "Long Knives."
The first event worthy of record, in the life of our hero, occurred when he was about fourteen years of age. The Indians had not been very troublesome in the immediate vicinity of his father's, and no great apprehensions were felt, as it was during a season of comparative quietude. On the occasion referred to, Lewis had just stepped from his father's door, and was looking at his brother Jacob playing, when, sud- denly turning toward the corn crib, he saw a gun pointing around the corner. Quick as thought he jumped back, but not in time to escape the ball; it took effect upon the breast bone, carrying away a small portion, and cutting a fearful wound athwart the chest. In an instant, two athletic warriors sprang from behind the crib, and quietly making prisoners of the lads, bore them off without being discovered. On the second day they reached the Ohio, and crossing near the mouth of Mc- Mahan's Creek, gained the Big Lick, about twenty miles from the river.
During the whole of this painful march, Lewis suffered severely from his wound, but bore up with true courage, knowing that if he com- plained, the tomahawk would be his doom. That night, on lying down, the Indians, contrary to their custom, failed to tie their prisoners. Lewis now resolved to escape, and in the course of an hour or so, satis- fying himself that the Indians were asleep, touched Jacob, and both arose without disturbing their captors. Lewis, leading the way, pushed into the woods. Finding, however, that he could not travel without moccasins, he returned to the camp and soon came back with two pair, which, having fitted on, Lewis said : "Now I must go back for father's gun." Securing this, the two boys started for home. Finding the path, they traveled on briskly for some time; but hearing a noise, listened and ascertained the Indians were in pursuit. The lads stepped aside as the pursuers came up, and then again moved on. Soon they heard the Indians return, and by the same plan effectually eluded them. Before daylight they were again followed by two on horseback, but, resorting to a similar expedient, readily escaped detection. . On the following day, about eleven o'clock, the boys reached the Ohio, at a point oppo- site Zane's Island. Lashing together two logs, they crossed over, and were once more with their friends.
Lewis Wetzel Slays Three Savages by Loading as He Runs. SEE PAGE 329.
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LEWIS WETZEL KILLS THREE SAVAGES.
LEWIS WETZEL KILLS THREE SAVAGES IN A RUNNING FIGHT.
Shortly after Crawford's defeat, a man named Thomas Mills, in escap- ing from that unfortunate expedition, reached the Indian Spring, about nine miles from Wheeling, on the present National Road, where he was compelled to leave his horse and proceed to Wheeling on foot. Thence he went to Van Metre's Fort, and, after a day or two of rest, induced Lewis Wetzel to go with him to the spring for his horse. Lewis cautioned him against the danger, but Mills was determined, and the two started. Approaching the spring, they discovered the horse tied to a tree, and Wetzel at once comprehended their danger. Mills walked up to unfasten the animal, when instantly a discharge of rifles followed, and the unfor- tunate man fell, mortally wounded.
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