Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-01-22
old CrOss-Fire, a Tale Of western Life
By GEORGE s. M'KIERNAN.

The early history Of northwestern Virginia, is
rife with incidents of a romantic character. The
extraordinary perseverance, and courage which
characterized the pioneers Of that region OF the
country and the almost incredible suiierings they
were compelled TO endure, are perhaps without
parallel in the history Of country but our own.
Whilst many Of those who penetrated lar INTO the
western wllds went lhither TO hew down the forest
trees, and make the wilderness assume the cheer
iul aspect of the abode of civilized man, large
number of persons were attached 10 that country
by the love of dangerous adventure, and fond
ness for living in state Of comparative restraint
from the forms Of social life. The latterclass Of
advenurers though not so numerous as the first,
furnished most Of the heroes OF those desperate
partisan rencounterswilh the natives, which occu-
py so large space in the annals Of the west.
During the first eight years Of that long and
bloody war with the savage tribes, which com
menced in the year 1774, the settlements Of the
upper portion of the Ohio riverseem to have been
peculiarly obnoxious to the Indians. Several fu-
rIous assaults were made by large bodies of Min
goes, Wyandots and Shawnees, upon Fort Wheel
ing, and other stockade forts in that vicinity; and
small parties of marauders were continually prowl-
ing about the settlements, employing themselves
IN burning houses, destroying crops, driving OIL
cattle, numbering the people as frequently as oc-
cssion offered. Among the mostnotorous OF the
leaders of these savage brgands, was a Nlngo
chief, called by the settlers "Old
so much on account of his years, as from the CIR
cumstance of his firing his rife from his left shout
DER This chieftain had, at the head oil his par
ty, committed numerous depredations upon the
settlements, but always succeeded in escaping un-
harmed, despite the many exertions made by the
hunters to arrest hisnluriate career. Old Cross
Fire was an expert woodsman; and many a bor-
derer was willing to bear testimony to his surpr-
sing skill as marksman. He had frequently
came in collision with Major McColloch, Lewis
Wetzel, and other famous Indian hunters, but all
their stratagem and prowesS was vainly cxcrted;
the Mingo invariably came off unscathed and was
embOldened to inlict his acts of wanton cruelty
with increased temerity. Hispersonwasia familiar
tomoSt of thesettlers. Hewas of hercuean fab
ric, his height being several inches over SIX leei;
and every part of his vast frame iltinadmi-
rable proportion, if weexcept his arms, which like
those Of Rob Roy McGregOr, were so long that
"The chief could stand in upright mien,
And fairly grasp his knees"
He carried arihe of more than ordinary weight,
which he cross-fred from his left shoulder, and
though contrary TO the common rule, with almost
unvarying accuracy and effect.
At the time of the incident about to be related,
the Indians had, in a great measure, ceased thelr
hostile incursioninto Western Virginia. Most OF
them had retired further west, to operate against
the settlements on,the lowersectionso Of the Ohio.
Even Old Cross Fire himself, who fingered about
Wheeling long after his tawny comrades had
changed their seat of war, was now seldom spo-
ken of by the settlers. The prevailing idea was
that he had forsaken his old theatre of operations
for another that promised better remuneration
for his tolls. The only individual who dlssented
from this opinion was Lewis WetZel, one OF the
most successful Indian scouts ever known. Wet
zel was, perhaps, possessed of more thorough
knowledge of the character and habits OF the
Mingo chief than any white man on the border,
for he had often been an eye witness OF his Graf
ty movements when beset by his enemies. The
chief had long been the special object of Wet
zel's hatred; and though he had often laid deep
plans tocnsnare him, thewily savage always found
means to Illustrate them. In the course of his re-
cent rambes through the country, Wetzel fire.
quently discovered some peculiar mark or sign
which confirmed him in his conviction that the
endeavored 10 persuade him that he was mista
ken, but he resoutely adhered to his opinion, and
declared that he would yet be the death of the
"cursed old red dog"
As Wetzel could not convince the settlers that
Old Cross-Fire was yet lurking about the neigh
borhood, he ceased TO mention his name; but
never allowed week to elapse without taking a
scout through the country in hope Of coming in
contact with him. The settlers, however, lulled
themselves into security; and apprehensive ofno
impending danger, engaged in agricultural pur-
suits. They cleared the rich bottom lands, built
substantial fences, planted their and potatoes,
and soon gave an air of comfort, and promise
ofplenty, to their infant settlement. Implements
of war were thrown aside as articles no longer
useful. A man, it is true, was occasionally seen
with a rifle upon his shoulder: but no other pur-
pose was in view than to shoot a deer or wild
turkey. About this time young man from the
east of the Alleghenies arrived at the Wheeling
settlements. He had performed the entire Jour-
ney across the mountains on horseback, at an in
element season of the year, and was nearly ex-
hansted with fatigue andexposure to the elements.
He was destined to Kentucky, but gladly accept
ed an invitation to pass few dayswth Col. Zane,
one of the earliest settlers at Wheeling to whom
he bore letter of introduction.
Elliot Frazier had scarcely passed day in the
hospitabIe dwelling of Col. Zane, before he was
seized with disease, the effects of his recent ex-
posure, which confined himtothe bed. His NAL
ady assumed serious character, deprivng him
at times of his reason. He laid for many DAYS
unconscious of his condition, and insensible to
what was passing around him. When at length
his disease took favorable turn, and his mind
regained its suspended powers, he discovered that
beautiful being was lowering over his couch
tenderly administering to his wants, and mani
Testing, by the sweet smile that played upon her
countenance, pleasurable feeling at Witnessing
the Improvements of his condition.