Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-08-05

TECUMSEH.-Wc find the following in
an exchange ~paper-siven as an extract from
an address of Lewis Figg to the citizens of a
certain district in Kentucky. 1t looks very
quizzical, but whether genuine or not, il is a
good hit at the contemplate course which
Col. Johnson has pursued before the people in
appropriating, for a selfish purpose, the poor
merit of accidentally killing an Indian, and
,hercupon founding his claim to the highest
OF Offices, although he never dare assert that
he really did kill Tccumseh.
Mr.. Fig says:
81 will not detail the priva,ions and hard
ships that | endured on that occasion. but |
viii only allude To a few of the scenes that
are now most fresh in my recollection. The
hrst engagement, vi any importance. | was i'm,
Was the battle of the Thames. in which that
willy and subtle foe, Tecumseh, was slain, as
many suppose, by Col. yolmson-but | will
easily convince YOU that this crcdi, belongs
exclusively TO myself. Col. johnson aud my
sell were messma,rs in this campaign, and
were both severely and dangerously wounded
IN the above battle-we were both nursed i'm
the same tent, and attended by the same sur
d 3D. ''Nh ilt NV udltlf. amt after w Were
both convalescent. the Colonel and myself
were lying, talking over the events of the bat
tie, and the death of Tccumsch. The Colonel
knowing that it was | that had killed Tecum.
sch. remarked 10 me-as | never eynectcd IN
become "A public mani must let him have
tnc credit oil killing Tccumseh. as il would he
oi essential service To him in his intended no.
hucal canNassing. j replied To him thai I
would do so, but should | ever become a csn-
didate. 1t was necessary for nv success that
the truth must be told this the Colonel read
ily asscnted 10. la view of this understand
ing, as o as determined Ia become n can.
didate, addressed the following note TO Col.
Johnson:
BosToN, KY, June |, 1915.
DEAR CuLoNEL:-ln the course of human
events, II has become necessary for me TO pre-
sent myself before the people for office. |
oPiIc mat shall stand in need OF all the ex-
,c,hai aid can get ] am, therefore, compel
ieo 10 ask Your permission to make public the
true secret OF the death of Tccumsch. and the
slayer thereof. ] hope this will put YOU To no
public Inconvenience.
lam ever, your old friend and mcs.mu,r,
- LEWIS FIGd.
10 tins letter l received the following
prompt reply:
GREAT CROSSINGS, June 6, 1918.
My dear Fi& :-Your note of the Isl inst.
was received by Inc this morning. hasten In
reply. After declaring i'm all sincerity. mv
dchglt I'm hearing once more from NV old
iriehd n messinatc. | will say, | well re-
member the circumstances of that cventful
gay on winch Tecumseh was slain. Now that
1 an no longer a candidate for public office.
ana having retired To the -huoes of private
me- nave no cause To regret your making
To the public the real Tecumsch killer.
l surely ought To rest satisfied with what the
of ii has done for me. and am now
Wiling that you should reap all the adyanta-
S's from 1t you can. The girls beg to be re-
lnembercd by YOU, AMI we would b. pleased
TO see you at the great Crossings.
Yours truly.
X. NJ. JOHNSON.
Some of my friends thought il would be- a
breach OF confidence in me to publish this let
ier-learing it might be so considered, | sub.
united the question TO my old friend John'l
rope, who advised me that il could not he
considered IN that light; even if it was. that
'ie Colonel ought to be the last man in the
world to complain of a breach of confidence.
Gen. Hiarison, in his official report of the
battle OF the Thames, addressed TO the Score
tary oil War, was pleased to make favorable
mention ol the gallant part | bore ON that occa-
See PRb. Dor. rol. 10. pnre 6