Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-06-03
FROM TALES OF THE NORTH WEST.
CHARLES HESS.

The Indians are not the only erss who ex-
cite interest IN the northwest. Amsng the
many rude adventurers drawn into that
country by love otexeiteneRt and impatence
of restraint there are some possessed of
Qualities that in other situations would com
mand respect, and perhaps admiration But
these qualities are lost to the world. 1t has
often been observed. that men most exposed
to hardships, danger, and privatiou, By the
nature of their empioymsnts, as, for example,
soldiers and sailors, are more attached 10
their occupations than those OF more tranquil
habits. No where is this nero forcib!y ex-
emplifed than by the persons actively enGa-
eed in the Indian trade. Once fairly drawn
an, they are seldom known to leave it.
very short residence among the aborIgines
learns them to despise the refinement and ar
AtlEcial wants Of civilized society, and spurn
the restraints legally aad cenventionally cs-
A taAlshed to bind men 10 each ether. he
wild, independent habits of the wilderness are
OF first pleasing from novelty, and soon be
come 1ivetsd by custom. An Indian wife,
and fataily OF half breed children complete
the change; and when they have thus encun :.
be red themselves, they may be considered as
chained TO their occupation for life.
Charles Hess, the subject Of this sketch,
was an example Of the truth OF the fore going
remarks With strength of mind aud body
seldom equalled, and an energy and quickness
of apprehension that with the advantages of
education would have Insured him high
rank in any profession he might have chosen.
hadthe circumstances above detailed reR-
dered him poor and miserable all his life.
Where be belonged cannot be ascertained.
He had a faint recollection of having witness
ed the burning of his patcrnal roof, and the
slaughter of his family by party OF Indians,
and as he retained his language. and remcm-
bered his name, he believed himself an A
mercan Having lived several years saw
age among savages, and after being many
times transferred from enc tribe to another,
be found himself at last on the Red river OF
the north, and entered the service OF the
North American Fur Company, where his
talents and activity sson obtained him a
Clerkship. % According TO the custom OF
the country. he married ChlppeWay squaW,
by whom he had several children
In the winter OF eighteen hundred and -
Hess was stationed at the Lake the Woods
An Indian called Opawgun Mokkeetay, OF
the Black Pipe. took offence at him for hav-
ing refused to give him much liquor as he
desired. Shortly afterwards Hess had Occa-
eioa to 60 on a surRey, and employed the
Black Pipe rs a guide They travelled to
ge!her half day without any suspicion on
the part Of Hess. As they came to ravine
the Indian proposed to stop and smoke be-
fore crossing it, and the white man cheerfully
complied Brother said Cpawgun hiok-
keetav, 'yoa have always been very kind to
ine. Tile other day you refused to let me
make foo Of myself. You were right.
have ias. bold on ysur heart (2)
& afn glad,' replied Hess, that you arr
wise al last; but we have far 10 go-let u
Push oa'
directly reioined the other, examieinl
Che loci, and printing of his gus: 90 on
brother. lwil bat tie my moecaaln and thei
failcw'
Hess took up his own piece and eresse'
4hc gap; just as he attained the level sroua'
on The other side, he heard the report ei tn
Indians rife, and felt his side grazed By bul
let. He turned and saw thst Opawgun hoL
cetay had taken 10 his heels as soon IS h
Cred. a bali from the white mans gun over
saok him and he feil. The weapon aeVeiie
sor the destruction Of Hess had been charge
avi1k tive bullets, and this contnvanee I
sn.s1e sure Of him saved lhs hte. 1hs bal
had diversed; enc grazed his right side, an
~ Ia She Indian trade, he who is entrus
ed with an outht Is called clerk, whether
can read or nos.
~ 1 HAyE HOLD ON YOUR HEART. One
Che few hgurahve expressions the lndlaI
U.s., meaning 4 love you