Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-10-29
,IIsGELLANY.
THE MYSTERIOUS TURKEY,

.7storyo Of otden time ia the "5acIlvoods.' .
Fifty years ago, stockade fort. en-
closing few hastily constructed cabins,
occupied part of the ground on which
Is now built the busting and flourish
ing city of Wheeling. The immortal
demi-lndian chieftain, Simon Girty. a
warrior acting under the immediate
auspices" of his excellency governor
Hamilton of Detroit, several times be-
sieSed this fort with legion of blood
thirsty savages. and was often repulsed
without the acquisition of any invinci-
Die quantity of laurels. Many other
attempts were made by the Indians TO
possess these works, all of which proving
aboruve, they magnanimously resorted
10 the extremity of lying in ambush in
places contiguous TO the fort. by which
means several Of the settlers were de-
c7yed and killed. The lapse of few
Years, however, brought with il many
changes IN the features of the west;
many expeditions were sent against the
Indians. and these "lords of the soil"
at the time of our story, were supposed
10 have been extIrpatcd from the settle
ment of Wheeling.
Perfectly confident Of security, the
hunters once more resumed their man
ly and soul-stirring vocation, and the
Young and timid fearlessly ventured far
iron their houses without the lec 4 an
prehenslon Of danger. The hunters
usually went oct singIy, Tor the purpose
ot avoiding az much noise and hustle
as possible. One day hunter heard
the cries of Wih turkey, while hunt
ING on the banks of the creek, in the
vicinity of the fort, and while he was
endeavoring TO ascertain its location.
he was fired upon and wounded by an
unseen hand. Several others were de-
ludcd and decoyed by the same agent,
and tradition saith that the rifle of the
mysterious turkey has sent its leaden
ball into more than one of the sturdy
pioneers. The suspicion that an Indian
or renegade lurked in the neighbour
hood, soon insinuated itself into the
acute comprehension Of the settlers.
who IN twInkling determined 10 des-
patch him, and in about the same length
Of time abandoned their resoluiion.-I
Under the concemItant appreLcnsions
IT danger from the much dreaded fur-
key, the range Of the hunters was ma
ierIally abridged; so much so, that the
unusual scarcity Of accustomed provj-
SONS began to be severely felt: for be il
known, that in those days, the back
woodsman depended almost entirely up
IN his success in the chase for aliment.
both for the mind and body.
About this time there dweit. wber-
ever there was prospect Of danger,
hardy veteran ofthc old school. yclcped
Lewis Wctzel, a hunter and warrior
whose deeds have been recorded in the
chronicles Of the West, as being of
nature and character which will forever
"nttle him TO the gratitude Of the mil
lions who 1--we on the ground which he
defended. When rumors and surmises
about the mysterious iuyLey we're the
constant theme Of colloquy and gossip
ing among tho good danes and the
,7nghuy maidcns, and the unvarying
onicct Of threats and dread with the
hunters. Lewis Wetzel made his ap-
rcaancc at Wheeling. ITS nothing
outs lazy skulking Indian" our yete.
ION replied. after listening patiently 90
bn iniorman's. Il know something
bout that hole myself Lewis Wcizel
Dos t1ifbi many a red skin in his
days. and really iccl Obliged TO We
Or letting me- have the name of
h.tng this fellcr BOYS. Il we'd a
A'ed as much 10 the woods as have.
nd ogmpsd out a. often, with no other
h'cuug than these here old blankets
rather suppose you'd know a little
more about these red skins than YOU
a' Butnever fear II there's any faith
roy old riAe here boys, that redf An
never sees the sun rise again Az A. /
"o1gh the words grated awfull,Zh the .
Z" OF The young and tender hearted
alnsels, yet all felt a pie easing sensa-
uon 70 contemplating the benefits that
would arse from the exit Of the nysfe-
.loA' tsEkg5. Il know something about