Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-08-15
From "Taylor's History of Ohio"
LEW WETZEL;
The Borderer.

| " Il " 10 " II u z IL
The Borderer.
We have been favored with the follow
ing communication from Hon. E. H. Eek
ly of Carroll county which presents
some facts of the latter history of this no.
ted borderer.that are not generally known,
besides indicating his memory in respect
to his Indian hostiIities
i" G. w. TAYLOR, Esq.
" SIR In compliance with your re-
quest l send you such facts, in connec-
ton with the history and services OF
Lewis WetzeI as are in my possession or
within my power to furnish. I do it
with the more pleasure because it may
tend to wrest from oblivion the history
of one who, in that stirring time in our
frontier history, filled SO conspicuous a
place. The date Of events in the life OF
that distinguished man, are now perhaps
beyond the reach of certainty. The date
of facts contained in this letter, cannot
even approximate. They were given me
by my venerable father, who though
cognizant to many Of them, kept no re-
cord and would not undertake even the
year. He, at the time WeLzel was in
Louisiana. was engaged in the river
trade, and was personally acquainted with
him visited him while in prison in New
Orleans, also after he was released from
prison, while he lived with relative near
! Natchez.
Lewis Wetzel was supposed to have
been born in the vicinity of what is now
the city of Wheeling at all events, his
father occupied small farm at that place
when he was small boy. OF his
family l am unable to learn much, ex>
cept that they were comparatively poor,
which circumstance may account for
the dangers and privations of frontier
life, to which he and his family were ex-
posed. Netzel had a sister and a brother
| (John or Jack who, with him, perform
ed many daring adventures and exploits
in the spy department, at that day so
much important to the defence of the
frontier. In those days every frontiers
man, was more or less, a hero COM
PEELED to defend himself and family
against marauding savages who were
constantly committing depredations up
on the property and persons of them
selves and families. Such circumstances
and the services they were compelled to
perform, Injured them to dangers and
deeds of daring that make up that re.
cord of thrilling events Of which our past
history is SO fruitful. In the midst Of
these stormy scenes, Wetze's early i'm
pressions were formed and doubtless
from the 6reside on hearing the tales Of
daring adventures and personal courage,
he conceived the idea of arresting the
savage on his war-path, and shivering
from his hand the deadly weapon, while
aimed at the head of helpless females and
unsuspecting children.
" The first feat in the life of Wetzel
worthy of notice that has been preserved,
happened when he was sixteen years of
age. A party of Indians had crossed the
river and stolen off several horses, and
were making their way back to their
towns on the Muskingum, and further west.
A party of the hardy pioneers were soon
assembled and enroute to recapture the
property and bring the aggressors 10 JUS
tice. In the pursuit the party passed the
farm Of the elder Wetzel. Lewis was en-.
gagged in cultivating a crop of growing
corn. They solicited him to join their
party. He had been forbidden by
his iather to leave his home, but the ad-
venture was too great a temptation for the
spirit of young Wetzel and he was easily
persuaded to join them. He accordingly
took from the plow favorite mare of his
fathers and started in pursuit of the tugi-
tive Indians. They had not proceeded
far until they came upon the enemy, who
were carelessly lettering about their camp,
apparently of their guard and probably
thinking they had safety on their side.
as the Ohio River was between them and
the neighborhoods upon which they late.
ly committed the depredations. The stolen
horses were spanceled and grazing at q
short distance. They were easily sur
prised and fed, leaving the horses, which
were recovered. The party of settlers
having accomplished their purpose pre-
pared to return, but their horses were
jaded and hungry, and they agreed that
the horses that they rode should be turn
+ ed out to grass, three of their number
left to bring them after they had refresh>
ed short time, and the balance of the
company, with the recaptured horses
should commence their retreat back tC
the settlements. They had not proceed,
ed many miles. until they were overtakeu
by the three Of their nun Der they had
left behind to bring their horses, who
informed them that soon after their de,