The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-10-15
INDIAN LEGEND.
From the LADIES' National Magazine.
DEATH OF SIMON GIRTY.*
BY J. MILTON SANDERS.

DEATH OF SIMON GHRTK.*
BY j. MILTON SANDERS
1t was several years ago that number of us
formed party, for the purpose of visiting the In
dian reserve 10 shoot deer With that eager
ness which marks the inexperienced hunter,
had spent the day pursuing game-whch always
saw me frst-and as the last rays Of the sun gil
ded the tree-tops, reached the camp exhausted
and hungry, without having shot any thing lar
ger than a squirrel. found the camp deserted,
with the exception of the old pioneer Sheddin,
whose aged limbs had refused to obey his still
active spirit, and consequently he had to return
to camp, where he had been since the middle Of
the afternoon.
After admirng the deer which he had shot,
threw off my bullet pouch, and sitting down ate
some erked venson. The old pioneer threw up
on the fire some dry logs, which soon flung a.
mong the trees volume Of light, and presented
to the sragglers sure beacon to guide them to
camp. Just as Sheddin had finished narrating
an incident of his early day, which had ranspi-
red near the spot where we were, we heard a
shr cry, followed by a succession Of broken
sounds, apparently caused by bringing the hand
rapidly against the mouth. Sheddin sprapg to
his feet, and the spirit of other days seemed a
reused within him.
81 tell you that sound never came from the
mouth ola white mani" he cried 81 am too old
to De fooled"
"Then perhaps some of the Wyandots are CO.
ming into camp" remarked.
"Very likely. We are now on their hunting
ground and should not be surprised if they were
to visit u.s."
Sheddin had scarcely said this, when we heard
some voices in low conversation; then persons
stumbling through the brush, and Immediately
two Indians Appeared within the circle oflight and
advanced towards us. We both arose: they came
up and offered us their hands, which we grasped
and shook heartily welcoming them to our tent
With politeness which an Indian never forgets,
they drew out their pipes, filled them with tobac-
co, and presented them to US. In return, we got
out some provisions and bottle of brandy; and
while they ate their meal and slipped the spirits,
sders it The height of impoIieness to address one
while hungry, and knowing this we sat in silence
till they had partaken ofa hearty mea,when one
of our visiters turned around, and in good Eng
lish said
"Our white brethren have softened our hearts
with kindness you arc welcome to all the game
you can kill"
This was kind, for we were hunting upon their
grounds without having asked then, (which would
have been a sufficient provocation with some
tribes TO commence a quarrel which would have
terminated in death. The Indians were both
aged men, particularly one whose white scalp
lock indicated that he had spent near century
in war and the chase. His eyes were bleared
and almost sightless, and his limbs slightly rem-
bled with the impotency of age. The other war;
ror appeared to be about fifty, but was in the
plenitude Of his strength. His eyes were keen
and full of fire, and his protruding muscles and
we'll formed and stoutly built figure gave indica-
tons of great prowess. The old man appeared
to be the principal parsonage, from the Difference
which the other paid him,
The brandy soon warmed up the Indians, and
we became quite intimate. Sheddin, who loved
a listener, repeated one of his spirited Indian
fights. As he proceeded, the Indians became ex-
cited, and evidently felt for their red brethren,
whom Sheddin had killed. The youngest of the
Indians, that he might be even with us, desert
bed an exciting battle whore he had killed a
white man; but this pass over and shall occu-
py the rest of this paper with the death of 81
mon Glrty.
Conjecture had been. busy for a number of
years relative to this celebrated renegade. Some
had affirmed that he died in Canada He went
to Canada but did not die there, as the Indian
who Witnessed his dissolution -afirms. but let
him tell his own tale, which shall give as nearly
as possible in the peculiar style of the old chief.
"I was at the battle of the Thames where
Girty lost his life. The long knives fought like
tigers, and swept down the Indians before them
as the storm hurs the trees in autumn, The In.
dian there was brave too; but the white man had
/ the Great Spirit on his side, and what use is there
in warning against it? The battle ragged with fury
the white and red man mingled in deadly
fight, and many were the brave deeds committed
that day. With the strength Of the whirlwind the
Indians moved down the whites, but others with
desperation filled their places, and in turn cut
down the Indians The strength of the Indian
on that day had departed; his tomahawk flew
wi le of the mark, his rifle shot crooked, and his
spirit shrunk within him as awoman's. City
4 was there. saw him in the fight; his towering
form swaying here and there as the battle ragged
Now he would discharge his rihe--now throw his
tomahawk, and striking down his victim, tear the
reeking scalp from his head, and then, with the
Ishrll war-yell, he would bound forward, and a.
gain with fury mingle in the crowd. followed
the white man with my tomahawk in my hand;
-
%0ur eastern readers may require to be informed
that Simon Girty was celebrated white renegade wei
known in the Indian wars attending the settlement
Ohio Numerous stories are told OF his daring feats