Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-03-03

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exhnguished ell their fire, the smoke of which
assembled to the Great Spirit as grateful sa-
crihee Now what better is your religion than
surs9 We all have tbs same object ia view.
before our acquaintance with the white peo-
pie. red people never got drunk, bccause they
bad nothing TO make them drunk, they never
told hes, because they had no temptations 20
tell ialsehoods; they never committed theft,
because they had no temptations 10 make them
steal; # indeed parties were out hunting, and
enc party was mors successful than the ether,
and hung up their game, and the unsuccess-
tul party found IL. IL they Recded provisions
they would take part of il; this was consi-
dered stealing; it was the custom and law of
their tribes. The red people never swore,
because they had no words TO express to
make an oath; the red people did not cheat,
because there was no temptations for them
TO cheat. The white people have learnt vs.
10 get drunk, TO swear, to lie, to steal. and
cheat; and If these vices, as YOU profess to
hold them, and punish by your laws, be ben
eiieial 10 the red people, we are benefited by
our acquaintance with the with whites ii not.
se are greatly injured by that acquaintance
To say the least of this untutered man, his
opinions Except as TO religiou) were but too
well founded, and are severe rebuke upon
the character of those protesting and beast
ing the superior advantages OF the lights of
education. and knowledge of the relig on Of
The holr Reaeemer. sail now retarn from
this depression to the concerns oil the valley.
Several Indian war paths, as they are tsrm-
ed, have been pointed out TO the author--ono
passing near Winchester, leading from the
Potomac. at point somewhere about the
mgu,h OF Capoa river, towards stanton; a.
mother crossing Opequon near Mr, CATERS
paper mills, leading towards the forks Of the
Shenandoah. These two paths, il is said !,
intersocted few miles north of Winchester,
third, which is yet plainly visible, crossing
from the North Mountain over Powell's Fort
Mountain, to the South river valley, six or
seven miles above Woodsterk The one
crossing Opequon led directly to and from
the fayourte camping ground before men
toned
Near this camping ground, on the east side
oil the opequon, on = high ridge oil land with
IN short distance OF the great road leading
from Winchester TO Berryville, a large Indian
grave, covered with limestone, is now to be
seen. This was opsned few months since,
in presence of the author, III which nuaer-
Gus fragments Of human bones were found.
Three or four miles above this, near the
creek, there are several Indian graves, and
signs of battle having been fought. On a
small Island 10 the Opeqaon, considerable
quantities of bullets, about the ordinary size
Of musket balls, have been found, and are
yet frequently found That battle has been
fought at this spot, there can be little doubt;
and that il was fought between confending
tribes Of Indians there is equal probability
We have even a tradition OF battle ever
having been fought between the whites and
Indians, any where in this Immediate neigh
horhood There is an opinion prevailing a
mong the ancient inhabitants Of our valley
that race of Indiana once resided in our
country, many individuals OF whom were OF
gigantic size; and there are some strong rea-
sons TO believe that this opinion was we'll
founded. But this part of my inquiries viii
be treated more at large when | come TO
speak of the natural euresitics Of our coun-
try. There arc Indian graves TO be seen on
Stony Creek; and near the site of an Indian
village, below The mouth of the creek on the
river, Shenandoah county, gun barrel and
several iron tonahawks were found, long
since the Indians left the country. Near Mr.
klIne's mill, in the neighberhood OF Stephens
burgh. Frederick county, in a deep hollow,
about 40 or 90 years ago, an English rifle Of
very large calber was dug out OF the ground.
Hsw long 1t had lain no person knew; but il
was doubtless deposited there by an indian.
The barrel being taken from the stock, and
the breeeh placed in the FIRE, in few mi.
nutes il discharged with loud explosion
That this gun had laid in the ground for so
or 40 years there is little doubt II had sus-
tanned but little injury, every part Of il being
sound: even the stock, which was made OF
black walnut, was not decayed. twas kept
IN use for many years, and finally sold by Nr.
Kline "a brother Of my informanD to back,
woods hunters
la Powclls fort is The site of an Indian viii
lage, on the lands Of Mr.. Daniel Much, about
which many Of theirsrrow points, tomahawks,
axes, & fragments of earihen pots, have been
found tits called the Indian field TO this day.
Signs Of Indian villages are frequant on the
two great branches Of the Shenandoah, and
several below the fork, II would be tedious
Gus and useless to attempt 10 partieularize
them. There is one. however, about four
or five miles below the forks Of the liver, which
is so remarkable as 10 deserve passing no
tice.
Its location is on the east side Of the river,
on high ground, on the lands Of Capt Dan
Oliver. some or 500 yards from the water,
in the neghhoihood Of James Marshall, ESQ 5
variety of articles have been found, Of In
dian production. Some entire vessels for do
mestic use have been plowed up. Numerous
hatchets, axes, and several pestles fer beat
ing hommopy, have been from time 10 time
found on shis spot Some years ago. pipe,
remarkable forts beauty and high irish, was