The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-11-26

The early history Of north western Vir.
ginia is rife with incidents Of romantic
character. The extraordinary perseve.
rance and courage which characterized
the pioneers OF that region Of the country,
and the almost incredible sufferings they
were compelled to endure, are perhaps
without parallel in the history of any
country but our own. Whilst many oil
those VINO penetrated far into the western
wilds went thither to hew down the forest
trees, and make the wilderness assume the
cheerful aspect OF the abode Of civilized
man, large number of persons were at.
tracted to that country by the love Of dan
gerous adventure, and fondness for liv.
ing in state Of comparative restraint from
the forms of social life. The latter class
ofadventurers, though not so numerous as
the first, furnished most of the heroes of
those desperate partizan rencontres with
the natives, which occupy 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 commenced in the year l774, the
settlements on the upper portion of the
Ohio river seem 10 have been peculiarly
obnoxious to the Indians. Several furious
assaults were made by large bodies of
Mingoes, Wyandots, and Shawnees, upon
Fort Wheeling, and other stockade Forts
in that vicinity; and small parties of ma.
rauders were continually prowling about
the settlements, employing themselves in
burning houses, destroying crops, driving
off cattle, and numbering the people as fire.
quently as occasion offered.
Among the most notorious of the lead
ers of these savage brigands, was Mingo
chiefcalled byth settlers "Old Cross-Fire'
not so much on account Of his years, as
from the circumstance ofhs firing his rifle
from his left shoulder. This chieGain had,
at;the head of his party. committed ny
merous depredations upon the settlements,
but always succeeded in escaping unharm-
ed, despite the many exertions made by
the hunters to arrest his infuriate career.
Old Cross. Fire was an expert woodsman,
and many borderer was willing to bear
testimony to his surprising skill as a marks
man. He had frequently come in COLI
sion with Major McCulloch, Lewis Wetzel
and other famous Indian hunters; but all
their stragagem and prowess was vainly
exerted; the Mingo invariably came off
unscathed, and was emboldened to inflict
his acts Of wanton cruelty with increased
temerity. His person was familiar TO most
OF the settlers. He was Hurculean fab.
ric, his height being several inches over
six feet, and exery part Of his fame was
built in admirable proportion. if we except
his arms, which, like those Of Rob Roy
McGregor, were SO long that 'l3 p
"The chief could stand in upright mein.
And fairly grasp his knees"
He carried rifle Of more than ordinary
weight, which he cross.6red from his left
shoulder, and though contrary to the COM
mon rule. with almost uhyarying effect.
At the time oi the event about to be re.
lated, the Indians had, in great measure,
ceased their hostile incursons into Western
Virginia. Most Of them had retired farth.
or west, to operate against the settlements
on the lower sections Of the Ohio. Even
Old Cross-Fire himself, who fingered about
Wheeling long after his tawney comrades
had changed their seat of war, was now
seldom spoken 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. ~ s. .,,s I. r,ac ,s6s3 4. II
The only individual who dissented from
this opinion was Lewis Wetzel, one OF the
most successful Indian scouts ever known.
We,zsl was perhaps possessed ofs more