Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-02-13
R { &C retIaaI c o q 8 .
Logan, the Mingo Chief
BY +. 6. MAY.

Near the banks Of the Ohio river, and
within sound of its ripping waters, quietly
repose the remains of Logan, the King of
the Mingos. There still exist few forest
trees to cast their leafy pail over his grave,
and by their kindly branches, 10 shade his
remains from the rays of the sun. But
the wigwam has disappeared-the war
dance has ceased, and the camp-ires have
gone out. Unconscious of the change
above him, and at his side his war weap-
ons and his pipe, the Indian sleeps the
long sleep of death.
Years since, his faithful followers were
forced from their layorile hunting grounds,
and now they are sleeping in distant
mounds, far away from the grave of their
leader. The light canoes no longer skim
over the smooth surface of the beautiful
Ohio-the shrilI war whoop no longer
springs from the opposite hills, nor do the
green valleys witness the corn-dances,'
and festivals of war. The red man has
disappeared, and not even a descendant
of that powerful nation is left to cast his
form on the great chief 5 mound.
Sleep on, brave son Of the forest the
poughmans voice is the only deathsong
chaunted over your grave the cattle tread
the only footstcp around thy head. Rest
thee, with thy arrow al thy side-thy spear
unmoycd-and the war club still unraised.
There waits no armed hand at thy word 10
rush upon the foe there remain no herds
of buffalo, no savage bears, no hoWlng
wolves. 10 flee at thy approach. The
chase has ended and long since all that
you have loved has disappeared. Cities
have reared their towering edifices on your
plains and crowds of busy pale faces
now tread upon the ground that once was
sacred to the brave
Here have | often Stood, and over the
gr"v9 of the departed warrior mused,
sadly, on the fate and wrongs of the
children of the forest. The resting place
of Logan is situated near La Grange. JEFF
fcrson county, O., and Is only sIig"
mound, surrounded by few trees, near
the banks of the river. The stage route
to Wheeling passes within stones throw
OF The interesting spot--it bears no carved
stone or marble tablet TO commemorate the
remarkable eIoquence and true bravery OF
great chief.
I.ogan was a friend of the white man,
and was ever ready to interpose his m
fuencc to prevent those wars which were
waged with so much cruelty by the In
dians, on the first settlers Of western Elr-
ginia. He was loved for his generous
spirit, and being a man of great influence,
his aid was invoked by the settlers. It
was not until the white man himself, Col.
Cresap and others, had assassinated his
family and his friends, on Yellow Bank,
now in Jefferson county, that the lion was
aroused within the breast of this noble son
of the forest. Then, indeed, was the deep
spirit of revenge kindled into flame that
burned fercely and strongly; and it was
only after he had slaughtered many OF the
'pac-faces,' that his vengeance was at all
gratitied. At the head of the combined
forces of Indians of different tribes, he
marched against Lord Dunmore, then Gov
ernor of Virginia. decisive battle was
fought at the mouth Of the Great Kama
wa, and the Indians were routed by Lord
Dunmore's troops.
The proud spirit of Logan disdained TO
sue for mercy; and he refused to place
himself among the suppllants. But ever
Jealous of his honor, and fearful lest the
sincerity Of the treaty, which had been
made with the whites by his Indian breth-
ren, should be mistaken, and his own
course doubted, lie sent messenger with
his speech, TO be delivered to Lord Dun
more. This address, so full of deep elo-
quencc and nobleness, at once touched the
hearts of the colonists. 1t found It's
way to Europe, and was there published
as remarkable evidence of natural and
unstudied eloquencc. 1t was the occasion
of long and protracted discussions as to It's
authenticity, many writers contending that
it was not genuine but Mr.. Jefferson, IN
his able Notes on Virginia, had furnished
such abundant and convincing evidence OF
its authenticity, by ai1idaylts from old