Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-10-31
Adventures of Lewis Wetzel.

the varieties of forest adventure from that OF hunt
ing the beaver and bear, to that of the willy Indian,
he became one Of the most celebrated marksmen
OF the day. His form was erect, and of that
height best adapted to activity--beihg very mus
cular and possessed Of great bodily strength
From constant exercise he could without fatigue
bear prolonged and violent exertion. especially
that of running and walking; and he had, by prac-
tce acquired the art of loading his rifle when run
ming at full speed through the forest, and wheel
ing on the instant he could discharge it with un-
ering aim, at the distance of eighty or one hun
dred yards, into mark not larger than dollar.
This art he has been known to practice more than
once upon his savage foes with fatal success.
marksman of superior skill was in those days
estimated by the other borderers much in the same
way that knight templar, or knight the cross,
who excelled in the tournament or the charge, was
valued by his contemporaries in the days of chiv-
airy. Challenges of skill often took place, and
marksmen who lived at the distance of fifty miles
or more from each other, frequently met by ap-
pointment to try the accuracy of their aim on bets
of considerable amount. Wetzels fame had
spread far and wide, as the most expert and uner-
ring shot Of the day. 1t chanced that young
man, few years younger than himself, who lived
Oh Dankard's Creek, tributary of the Mononga-
hela river, which one Of the earliest settle
ments of that REGION heard Of his fame, and as he
was also an expert woodsman. and first shot, the
best in his settlement, he became very desirous of
an opportunity for trail of his skill. So great
was his desire that he one day shouldered his ri
fe and whstling his faithful dog to his side, start
ed for the neighborhood of Wetzel, who at that
time lived on Wheeling creek.
When about halfway on his journey, fine
buck sprang up just before him. He leveled his
gun with his usual precision, but the deer, though
badly wounded, did not fall dead IN his tracks
His faithful dog soon seized him, and brought him
to the ground, but while in the act of doing this
another dog sprang from the forest upon the same
deer, and his master making his appearance at the
same time from behind tree, with loud voice
claimed the property, because he had been wound
ed by his shot, and seized by his dog. 1t so hap
pened that they both fired at once at this deer-a
thing which may very easily happen where two
active men are hunting upon the same ground al
though one may fire at the distance Of fifty yards,
and the other at one hundred The dogs felt the
same spirit of rivalry, and quitting the dear which
was already dead, fell to worrying and tearing
each other. In separating the dogs, the strange
hunter happened to strike that of the young man.
The old adage, "Strike my dog, strike me- arose
in full force, and without further ceremony, ex-
cept few hearty curses, he fell upon the hunter
and hurled him TO the ground. This was no soon
er done than be found himself turned, and under
his stronger and more powerful antagonist.
Discovering he was no match at this play, the
young man appealed to trial by rifles, saying it
was too much like dogs for men and hunters to
fight in this way. The stranger assented 10 the
trial. but told his antagonist that before he put it
/ fairly to the test he had better witness what he
was able TO do with the rife-saying he was as
much superior, he thought. with that weapon las he
was in bodily strength. He bade him place mark
the size of shilling on the side of huge popular
that stood beside them, from which he would start
with his rife unloaded, and running hundred
yards at full speed, he would load it as he ran and
wheeling would discharge it instantly into the
centre of the mark. The feat was no sooner pro-
posed than performed the ball entered the cen.
/ ire ol Tue OltnlIutlVe target AStonlSneO at MS
activity and skill, his antagonist Instantly inquir.
ed his name. Lewis Wetzel, at Your service, '
answered the stranger. The young man seized
him by the hand, with all the ardor of youthful ad-
miraton, and at once acknowledged his own infe-
riority. So charmed was he with Wetzers frank
ness, skill! and fine personal appearance, that he
insisted upon his returning with him to the settle
ment on Dankards creek, that he might exhibit his
talents to his own family, and to the hardy back.
woodsmen. his neighbors.
Nothing 10th to such an exhibition, and pleased
with the energy n his new acquaintance, Wetze
consented to accompany him, shortening the way
with their mutual tales of hunting excursions, anc
hazardous contests with the common enimies o
their country. Among other things. Wetzel sta
ted his manner of Distinguishing the footsteps of
white man from those Of an Indian, although GOV
cred with moccasins, and intermixed with the
tracks ofsavages He had acquired this tact from
closely examining the manner Of placing the feet
the Indian stepping with his feet in parallel lines
and first bringing the toe to the ground while the
white man almost invariably places his at an an
gle with the line of march, An opportunity they
little expected soon gave room to put his skill tc
the trial. On reaching the young mans home
which they did that day, they found the dwelling
smoking rum, and all the family lying murdered
and scalped except young woman who had been