Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-02-23
Old cR0SS-FlRE,
OF the NORTHWESTERN Border.

STORY
OF tine Northwestern Border.
sszs BY GEORGE M'KISNERMAN.
The early history Of Northwestern Virginia is
rife with incidents of romantic character. The
extraordinary perseverance and courage which
characterized the pioneers of that region of coun-
try, and the almost incredible suferings they were
compelled to endure, are, perhaps, without par
allef in the history Of any country but our own.
Whilst many of those who penetrate far into the
western wiids went thther to hew down the for
est trees, and make the wilderness assume the
cheerful aspect Of the abode of civilized men,
large number of persons were attracted to that
country solely by love Of dangerous adventure,
and a fondness for living in a state of compare
tive freedom from the forms of social life. The
latter class Of adventures, though not so numer-
Gus as the first furnished most of those partisan
rencounters with the natives which occupy SO
large space in the history 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 on the
upper portion of the Ohio River seem to have been
peculiarly obnoxious to the Indians. Several
furious assaults were made by large bodies of
Mingoes, Wyandots, and Shawnees, upon Ft.
Wheeling, and other stockade forts in that vicih-
ity; and small parties Of marauders, were contin-
ually prowlng about the settlements, employing
themselves in burning houses, driving off cattle,
and numbering the people as frequently as occa-
sions would Offer.
these savage brigands was Mingo chief, called
by the settlers Old Cross -fire-not so much on
account of his years, as from the circumstance of
his firing his rifle over his left shoulder.
The chieltain had at the head of his party COM
mitted numerous depredations upon the settle
uhents, but always succeeded in escaping anharm-
ed, despite the many e1ertions made to arrest his
infuriate career. Old Cress-fire was an expert
woodsman; and many borderer was willing to
bear testimony to his surprising skill as marks
man. He had frequently come into collision with
major M' M'Culloch, Lewis Wetzel, and other ia
nous Indian hunters, but all their stratagem and
prowess were vainly exerted. His person was
familiar to most of the settlers. He was of Her
culean fabric, his height being several inches
over six feet. and every part Of his vast frame
builtin admirable proportion, if we except his
arm which like those of Rob Roy McGregor,w w ere
soslong that.
I ..The chief could stand in upright misn,
And farly grip lis knees
He carried rife of more than ordinary weight,
and he cross fired from his left shoulder, and
though contrary to the COMMON rule with almost
unvarying accuracy.
AT the time of the incident about to be related
the Indians had in a great measure ceased their
hostile incursons into Western Virginia. Even
Old Cross-Fife himself, who fingered about
Wheeling long after his tawny comrads had chang
ed 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 a better remuneration for
bis tolls. The only individual who dssented from
this opinion was Lewis Wetzel one of the most
successful Indian scouts ever known. Wetzel
was, perhaps, possessed of a more thorough
knowledge of the character and habits OF the MIN
go chief than any white man on the border, for
he had often been an eye witness of his crafty
movements when beset by his enemies. In the
course of his recent rambles through the coun-
try, Wetzel frequently discovered some peculiar
mark OF sign which confirmed him in his convic-
ton that the Indians had not left the neighbor-
hood His friends endeavored to persuade him
that he was mistaken; but he resolutely 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 in the
neighborhood, he ceased to mention his name;
but never allowed a week to elapse without tax
ING scout through the country in the hope OF
coming in contact with him. The settlers how
ever, lulled themselves into security and appre-
hensiye of no impending danger engaged in agrl-
cultural pursuits. Their implements OF war were
.hrown aside as articles no longer useful A man
Il IS true, was occasionally seen with rifle upon
his shoulder; but no other purpose was had IN view
than to shoot deer or wild turkey. 49,. 5s.s -
About this time young man from the east OF
the Aleghanies arrived at the Wheeling settle
ments. He had performed the entire journey
across the mountains, on horseback, at an in
clement season of the year, and was nearly ex-
hausted with fatigue and exposure to the elements
He.was designed to Kentucky, but gladly accept
ed an invitation to pass few days with Col. Zane,
one ofshe earliest settlers at Wheeling TO Whom
he bore a letter of Introduction.
Elliot Frazier had scarcely passed day IN the
hespitable dwelling Of Col, Zane before he was
seized with disease, the effects Of his recent expo,
sure, which confined him 70 his bed, His malady
assumed serious character, depriving him al
SrI E1aJ laid fnr daVS