History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 25

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 25
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 25

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

"In the evening of the same day, the party hearing that there was an eneampment of Indians at the mouth of Captina, went down the river to the place, attacked the Indians and killed several of them. In this affair one of Cresap's party was severely wounded.

"The massacre at Captina, and that which took place at Baker's, about forty miles above Wheeling, a few days after that at Captina, were unquestionably the sole causes of the war of 1774. The last perpetrated by thirty-two men, under the com- mand of Daniel Greathouse. The whole number killed at this place and on the river opposite to it was twelve, besides sev- eral wounded. This horrid massacre was effected by an hypo- critical statagem which refleets the deepest dishonor on the memory of those who were agents in it.

"The report of the murders committed on the Indians near Wheeling induced a belief that they would immediately com- mence hostilities, and this apprehension furnished the pretext for the murder above related. The ostensible object for raising the party under Greathouse was that of defending the family of Baker, whose house was opposite to a large eneampment of Indians at the mouth of Yellow creek. The party were con- cealed in ambuscade while their commander went over the river, under the mask of friendship, to the Indian camp to ascertain their number. While there an Indian woman ad- vised him to return home speedily, saying that the Indians were drinking and angry on account of the murder of their people down the river, and might do him some misehief. On his return to his party hc reported that the Indians were too strong for an open attack. He returned to Baker's and re- quested him to give any Indians who might come over in the course of the day as much rum as they might call for, and get as many of them drunk as he possibly could. The plan suc- ceeded. Several Indian men, with two women, came over the river to Baker's, who had previously been in the habit of sell- ing rum to the Indians. The men drank freely and became intoxicated. In this state they were all killed by Greathouse and a few of his party. I say "a few of his party," for it is but

justice to state that not more than five or six of the whole number had any participation in the slaughter at the house. The rest protested against it as an atrocious murder. From their number being by far the majority they might have pre- vented the deed; but, alas! they did not. A little Indian girl alone was saved from the slaughter by the humanity of some one of the party, whose name is not known.

"The Indians in the eamps, hearing the firing at the house, sent a canoe with two men in it to inquire what had happened. These two Indians were both shot down as soon as they landed on the beach. A second larger canoe was then manned with a number of Indians in arms, but in attempting to reach the shore, some distance below the house, were reecived by a well- directed fire from the party, which killed the greater number of them and compelled the survivors to return. A great num- ber of shots were exchanged across the river, but without damage to the white party, not one of whom was even wounded. The Indian men who were murdered were all scalped. The woman who gave the friendly advice to the commander of the party when in the Indian camp was amongst the slain at Baker's house.

"The massacres of the Indians at Captina and Yellow creek comprehended the whole of the family of the famous but unfor- tunate Logan, who before these events had been a lover of the whites and a strenuous advocate for peace; but in the conflict which followed them, by way of revenge for the death of his people, he beeame a brave and sanguinary chief among the warriors.

"The settlers along the frontiers, knowing that the Indians would make war upon them for the murder of their people, either moved off to the interior, or took up their residence in forts. The apprehension of war was soon realized. In a short time the Indians commenced hostilities along the whole extent of our frontiers.

"Express was speedily sent to Williamsburg, the then seat of government of the colony of Virginia, communieating intel- ligence of the certainty of the commencement of an Indian war. The assembly was then in session, A plan for a cam- paign for the purpose of putting a speedy conclusion to the Indian hostilities was adopted between the Earl of Dunmore, the governor of the colony, and General Lewis, of Botetourt county. General Lewis was appointed to the command of the southern division of the forces to be employed on this occasion, with orders to raise a large body of volunteers and drafts from the southeastern counties of the colony with all dispatch. These forces were to rendezvous at Camp Union, in the Green- briar country. The Earl of Dunmore was to raise another army in the northern counties of the colony, and in the settlements west of the mountains and assemble them at Fort Pitt, and from thence descend the river to Point Pleasant, at the mouth of the Great Kanawha, the place appointed for the junction of the two armies for the purpose of invading the Indian country and destroying as many of their villages as they could reach in the course of the season."

APPENDIX G.

AFFIDAVIT OF RICHARD (AFTERWARD GENERAL) BUTLER, TAKEN BEFORE ARTIIUR ST. CLAIR, GIVING AN "ACCOUNT OF THE RISE OF THE INDIAN WAR," 1774.

"There is perhaps no more interesting document bearing upon the events of this period than the following affidavit of Richard Butler, taken before Arthur St. Clair, dated August 23d, 1774. St. Clair was at that time a Justice of the Peace of Westmoreland county, Pa., and Butler had been an Indian Agent, and trader among the Shawanesc. Both these men af- terward became prominent generals in the army, conspicuous in the Revolution, and both were together at the head of the western army for a period subsequently. General Butler de- scended the Ohio at the head of American forces designed for western service in 1785. In his journal he speaks of having met Col. Ebenezer Zane at Wheeling, and frequently mentions Isaac Zane, who accompanied him as a hunter and seout, to whom he awards special credit for killing deer, bear and buffalo for the sustenance of his troops. In St. Clair's eampaign of 1791, Butler was second in command, and was killed in the defeat of November 4th. The affidavit will be found in Penn- sylvania archives, vol. IV., page 568, and is as follows:

ACCOUNT OF THE RISE OF THE INDIAN WAR, 1774.

" As there is many different opinions coneerning the Indian war it is the duty of every well meaning person to deelare what

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

they know concerning it, the rise of it, and their opinion with regard to the intent of the natives. Therefore I do here briefly declare all I know of the matter, likewise the manner that the Shawanese Tribe behaved while I was amongst them, and the treatment their people received while at Pittsburgh, after escorting the property of the different traders to this place.

"Firstly. Through the last winter they were as friendly as I have known them this four years past, and in general paid their debts as their ability would admit very well to me.

"Secondly. They were preparing for a great summer hunt, which I cannot interpret into any hostile intent by them.

"Thirdly. When they heard of my eanoe being robbed, and one of my hands killed and one wounded by the Cherokees there was some of the head men and many of the people much concerned for my loss and the mischief done to the people.

"Fourthly. When they heard of one of their head men being murdered on the Ohio on his way home from Pittsburgh, it gave some uneasiness to think that one of their head men should be so served; but charged it to the account of some ill- minded people, and seemed to be content that mischief was not the general intent of the English towards them, therefore in their own way they buried his memory with a dance and pres- ents to his name.

"Fifthly. A second canoe of mine was attacked, and one Compass, a Delaware Indian shot dead in her, that Mr. Wm. Butler had hired to take his cargo and hands to me; the hands escaped, but my property was all made away with and lost to me, which was to a considerable amount.

"Sixthly. The barbarous murder near Yellow creek, on the Ohio, of an Indian family called Logan, alarmed the Shawa- nese very much, and I think the traders and their people would have suffered by a few of the Mingoes that lived on the Scioto near to the Shawanese were it not for the pacifie intent and interposition (I mean the friendly intent of the Shawanese.)

"Seventhly. On hearing the news of said murder three Mingo men and one boy, and one of the Shawanese people, the son (as they say of an old negro called Cæsar), set off to the Hockhocking with an intent to murder and rob us in revenge; on hearing which the Shawanese head men sent four of their own people and one Mohickon man to preserve us from the danger that threatened us, which they did faithfully ; for when the war party came to our camp they took them in and talked with them, and at length prevailed on them to turn home, which they did, and three of the Shawanese escorted me and one Robt. George to the towns, and the nephew of one of the prin- cipal head men and the Mohickon man stayed to preserve the people that stayed with our peltry and horses until our return, which was in about eight days ; but said Mingoes getting drunk on the way home they left us and turned back, and stole some of my horses, which was all they could get done owing chiefly to the vigilance of the Shawanese men and two Mingoes called MeClelans that we had hired to stay there.

" Eighthly. When we were ready to come away the Corn- stalk, a head man, sent his brother to eseort us all the way to Pittsburgh, although the report of Logan and his party of rela- tions and friends having gone to war had reached the lower towns before we came away, in revenge for the loss of his mother and other relations. One of the above named McClelans, a Mingo and the Mohickon man came with us, and behaved in a careful, faithful and friendly manner the whole way. The Cornstalk sent a specch, by the advice of several of their head men, addressed to the Governors of Pennsylvania, Virginia and the commandant at Pittsburgh, entreating them to put a stop to any further hostilities, and they would endeavor to do the same.

Ninthly. When we arrived here, the 16th of June, I waited on the commandant, Doctor Connelly, and requested that he might afford protection to the three Friend Indians that had so faithfully protected us, but he positively refused it. A few days after I presented him with the speech and again prayed his protection, but was again refused, and he declared in a very ill-natured manner that he would not speak to them in the presence of Devr. Smith, Esq.

"Tenthly. The Sunday following an armed party of near forty men went out, as we were informed, to take these poor Indians, but the traders thought it so horrid an act, and acting in violation of all laws of friendship, with trouble got them away in safety, and made them handsome presents for their friendship and fidelity, and sent them away well satisfied with us.

"Eleventhly. We were informed that a party fired upon them near the mouth of Beaver creek, and wounded the Mo- hickon man, it is thought by one William Lin and his party,

who, we are likewise ereditably informed, intended to murder and rob the traders as we came up the river.

"These faets I think was sufficient to bring on a war with a christian instead of a savage people, and I do declare it was my opinion that the Shawanese did not intend a war this season, let their future intentions be what they might; and I do like- wise declare that I am afraid from the proceedings of the chief of the white people in this part of the country that they will bring on a general war, as there is so little pains taken to restrain the common people whose prejudice leads them to greater lengths than ought to be shown by civilized people, and their superiors take too little if any pains, and I do think are much to blame themselves in the whole affair.

" RICHARD BUTLER. "Sworn and subscribed the 23d of August, 1774, before me, "AR. ST. CLAIR."

CHAPTER XII.

LOGAN, THE MINGO CHIEF-MURDER OF HIS FAMILY-RETALIA- TION OF THE SAVAGES AGAINST THE WHITES-LOGAN'S WAR- FARE AND KINDNESS TO PRISONERS-HIS SPEECH-HIS LATER CAREER AND DEATH-DISCUSSION AND DOCUMENTS IN REFER- ENCE TO THE SPEECH OF LOGAN, THE MURDER OF HIS FAMILY, AND THE ALLEGED CONNECTION OF CRESAP-THE PAPERS FROM JEFFERSON'S NOTES ON VIRGINIA-OTHIER EVIDENCE, LETTERS, AND DOCUMENTS-THE TOMB OF MICHAEL CRESAP.

HE massacre of the Indians at Baker's Bottom, opposite Yellow creek, has long since become an interesting event in American history, and the eloquent speech in relation thereto attributed to the Indian named Logan, has for many years made the name of that famous chief a household word throughout the land.

The speech of Logan, so touching and full of cloquence, had the effeet to awaken a sympathy for his wrongs in many American hearts, and this gave rise to considerable discussion at different times in various publieations throughont the coun- try.

The speech has been quoted and admired, wherever the Eng- lish language was understood, and the discussions which arose in American books, periodieals, and newspapers exposed the circumstances connected with the murder of these Indians by the lawless whites, and made notorious the atrocious character of the transaction. This involved several questions of impor- tanee, notably among them the alleged connection and re- sponsibility of Capt. Michael Cresap, and we propose to devote considerable space to the subject in order to enable every reader the best possible facility for arriving at correct conclusions.

In the first place it will be appropriate to give a sketch of the life of this famous Indian.

SKETCH OF LOGAN-TAI-GAH-JUTE.

The name of Logan, inseparably connected with the later Indian period of the Ohio Valley, was originally identified with the central part of the State of Pennsylvania. embracing the counties of Northumberland, Union, Snyder. Mitllin, Centre and Clinton. Throughout these counties it is perpetuated in the names of townships, villages, streams and mountain gaps through which he had his ancient paths.

Logan was a son of the celebrated Cayuga chief, Shikellinny, who dwelt for many years at Shamokin, (now Sunbury. in Northumberland county, Pa., ) having been placed there by the great Iroquois nation to rule over the tribes of other Indians in that region, and was there converted to the christian religion by the Moravian missionaries. He had his son also baptized, giving him the name by which he was ever afterward known, in honor of James Logan, at that time Secretary of the Pro- vince of Pennsylvania. His Indian name was Tah-gah-jute. After reaching manhood Logan made his abode for a while in Kishacoquillas valley, in what is now MitHin county. The place he selected for his wigwam is a few miles above Lewiston, at what is still known as " Logan's Spring."

The following account of the great chief was given in 1842 by William Brown, Esq .. one of the first actual settlers of the Kishacoquillas valley, to Hon. R. P. MeClay, then member of the Pennsylvania state Senate:

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

"The first time I saw that spring," said the old gentleman, "my brother, James Reed and myself had wandered out of the valley in search of land, and, finding it very good, we were looking about for springs. About a mile from this we started a bear, and separated to get a shot at him. I was traveling along, looking about on the rising ground for the bear, when I suddenly came upon the spring; and, being dry and more re- joiced to see so fine a spring than to have killed a dozen bears, I set my rifle against a bush, rushed down the bank, and laid down to drink. Upon putting my head down I saw reflected in the water on the opposite side the shadow of a tall Indian. I sprang to my rifle, when the Indian gave a yell, whether for peace or war I was not just then sufficiently master of my faculties to determine; but, upon seizing my rifle and facing him, he knocked up the pan of his gun, threw out the priming, and extended his open palm toward me in token of friendship. After putting down our guns we again met at the spring and shook hands. This was Logan, the best specimen of humanity I ever met with, either white or red. He could speak a little English, and told me there was another white hunter a little way down the stream, and offered to guide me to his eamp. There I first met your father. We remained together in the valley a week, looking for springs and seleeting lands, and laid the foundation of a friendship which never has had the slightest interruption.

" We visited Logan at his camp at ' Logan's Spring,' and he and your father shot at a mark, nearly the whole of one after- noon, at a dollar a shot. Logan lost four or five rounds and ac- knowledged himself beaten. When we were about to leave him, he went into his hut and brought out as many deer skins as he had lost dollars, and handed them to Mr. McClay, who refused to receive them, alleging that we had been his guests, and did not come to rob him ; that the shooting had only been a trial of skill, and the bet merely nominal. Logan drew himself up with great dignity, and said : 'We bet to make you shoot your best ; me gentleman, and me take your dollar if me beat.' So he was obliged to take the skins or affront our friend, whose nice sense of honor would not permit him to receive even a horn of powder in return.

" The next year," said the old gentleman, "I brought my wife and camped under a big walnut tree on the bank of Tea creek, until I had built a cabin ncar where the mill now stands. Poor Logan (and the big tears coursed each other down his cheeks) soon after went into the Allegheny, and I never saw him again."

The above was confirmed by a daughter of Mr. Brown, and the following added :

"Logan supported his family by killing deer, dressing the skins and selling them to the whites. He had sold quite a parcel to a tailor, who dealt extensively in buckskin breeches, receiving his pay in wheat. When this was taken to the mill it was found so worthless that the miller refused to grind it. Logan attempted in vain to obtain redress from the tailor. Failing in this, he took the matter before his friend Brown, then a magistrate, who heard the case and awarded a decision in favor of the chief. A writ was given to Logan to hand to the constable, with the assurance that that would bring the money for the skins. But the untutored Indian could not com- prehend by what magic the little paper would force the tailor, against his will, to pay the debt. The magistrate took down his own commission, with the arms of the king upon it, and explained to him the principles and operations of civil law. Logan listened attentively and exclaimed : 'Law good ! Make rogues pay.' "

The following incidents in the life of Logan are gathered from various sources :

" When another and a younger daughter of Judge Brown (afterward General Potter's wife,) was just beginning to walk, her mother happened to express her regret that she could not get a pair of shoes to give more firmness to her little step. Logan stood by and said nothing. He soon after asked Mrs. Brown to let the little girl go up and spend the day at his cabin. The heart of the mother was alarmed at the proposi- tion ; but she knew the delicacy of an Indian's feclings-and she knew Logan, too-and with secret reluctance, but apparent cheerfulness, she complied with his request. The hours of the day wore very slowly away, it was nearly night, and her little one had not returned. But just as the sun was going down, the trusty chief was seen coming down the path with his charge ; and in a moment more the little one trotted into her mother's arms, proudly exhibiting a beautiful pair of moccasins on her little feet-the produet of Logan's skill."

Logan left Kishacoquillas valley in 1771, because of the num-

ber of whites who had settled in it, and the consequent scareity of game. He no longer could obtain subsistence for himself and family with his rifle and determined to remove to a coun- try where white settlers were few and game plenty. He came to the banks of the Ohio, and for a time the curtain drops over his history. It is claimed that he dwelt for a time at the Mingo town, an ancient village of the Senecas, that once stood near the mouth of Cross creek, in what is now Jefferson county, but we have not been able to find anything authentic upon the subject. Heckwelder, the well known Moravian missionary, found him located near the mouth of Big Beaver, and in con- versation with him was impressed that he was a person of su- perior talents. Logan declared his intention to settle on the Ohio below the Big Beaver, where he might live in peace for- ever with the white men, and Heckwelder visited his settle- ment in 1773, when he received every civility he could expect from the members of his family who were at home. When Logan located near the mouth of Beaver, he was joined by his relatives and some Cayugas from Fort Augusta, who recognized him as their chief, and over whom, and other Indians in the vicinity, he obtained a remarkable influence. In the spring of 1774 we find him and his followers encamped at the mouth of Yellow creek, in Jefferson county. In accordance with the usual custom of the Indians in the spring of the year they had erected their camp and the men were engaged in hunting while the women were making sugar.

The massacre of his family *- an event which caused more discussion and comment than any other event in the history of the Ohio Indians-occurred at this time, and was one of the principal causes of the Dunmore war. While Logan was ab- sent with most of the men of his tribe hunting, a party of armed scouts, without provocation, but by intrigue and the aid of rum, decoved the Indians from their camp across the river, and there mercilessly attacked and massacreed them, the ac- count of which is fully recorded in the preceding chapter. Logan returned to find the mangled bodies of the slain and wounded. The heart of the noble chief was broken, and if it called for revenge, can the call be wondered at?

Hitherto, Logan had observed towards the whites a course of conduct by no means in accordance with the malignity and steadfast implacability which influenced his red brethren generally; but was, on the contrary, distinguished by a sense of humanity, and a just abhorrence of those cruelties so fre- quently inflicted on the innocent and unoffending, as well as upon those who were really obnoxious to savage enmity. Such, indeed, were the acts of beneficence which characterized him, and so great his partiality for the English, that the finger of his brother would point to his cabin as the residence of Logan, "the friend of white men." In the course of the French war, he had "remained at home, idle and inactive;" opposed to the interference of his nation, "an advocate of peace." It is well established that when he became the enemy of the Europeans, it was because he had been wronged by the unprovoked mur- der of his brother, sister, and other members of his family. When his family and kindred, therefore, fell before the fury of exasperated men, a feeling of rage arose within his honest breast that had hitherto been unknown to his nature. He felt himself impelled to avenge their deaths; and exchanging the pipe of peace for the tomahawk and scalping knife of war, be- came active in seeking opportunities to glut his vengeance.

Logan buried the bodies of his dead relatives, cared for the wounded, and then, gathering around him the men of his tribe, joined the Shawanese in the war they were commencing on the whites. His revenge was terrible. How many victims were sacrificed to it no earthly record shows. We have seen that he uttered in furious terms a determination to take ten scalps for every one of his own people that were murdered, and it is believed that he fully accomplished his purpose.

RETALIATION AND DEPREDATIONS OF THE SAVAGES- LOGAN'S WARFARE-HIS KINDNESS TO PRISONERS.

Information having reached Pittsburgh of the depredations committed upon the Indians near Wheeling and Yellow creek, a message was sent by the citizens at that place, at the sugges- tion of George Croghan, to the chiefs of the Delawares, Six Na- tions, and such others as were contiguous to the place, for the

*Logan's family consisted of his mother, brother, sister and kindred. At that time he was not married. His brother was known by the name of John Petty. His sister was the wife of Gen. John Gibson, then an Indian trader, and the mother of the child which was spared in the massacre at Baker's, and afterward taken to the house of Col. Wm. Crawford. (See letter to Washington.) The child prisoner being Logan's niece, it follows that his relatives were not all killed.

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History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 25

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728