Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-08-15

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made such sacrifices, of course met witt
bitter denunciation from all who appre
ciate his eminent services particularly
SO when they considered Wetzel guilty o.
nothing criminal whatever. True, he had
captured warrior in the woods, at a time
and under circumstances when he Wet.
zel) had good reason to believe the war,
rior was attempting his life he was out
generated by this hero of the forest and
himself made victim to his unconquered
adversary, an Indian that belonged to a
warlike tribe tribe that had committed
numerous murders and other depreda-
tions upon the very settlement in which
lived the aged mother and father ol
Wetzel. Besides all this, there was good
reason to believe this identical warrior
had been. concerned in the very outrages
alluded to. That any white man would
attempt to arrest him, no one believed,
and that any red man could, the friends
of Wetzel did not fear. To avoid the
constant clamor of the Indians, he was
advised by his friends to leave for time.
until the feeling onthe part of the Indians
should subside. Wetzel accordingly for
the last time left the humble frontier
abode of his venerable parents, and the
place where he had played many a tragic
scene when life was at stake not, how
ever, to arrest the tmerciless savage on his
mission of blood, but to avoid the action
of his own country which he had so faith
fully served. Ee proceeded to the vicini>
ty of Cincinnati, where he engaged in the
service of the country as spy, going
when commanded, and returning when
his mission was performed. He was Of
ten heard to say that no one would at
tempt his arrest because he had killed
an Indian, but the love of reward might
find some one heartless enough to. Judas
like, sacrifice him for the money!
Against the danger of arrest he doubtless
felt secure. In his security, however,
he was not safe. While he was enjoy.
ing the confidence and receiving the ad>
mira'ion of all the people of the west,
Col. Parks was ordered to remove two
hundred men from Louisville to Fort Pitt.
He stopped at Fort Washington, Cincin,
nati) with his keel>boats, in which he
was transferring his troops, Wetzel was
there, and from regard for his duty, or
some other cause, he ordered a file of his
men to arrest Wetzel, which, after vio-
lent opposition, they succeeded in doing,
and he was placed. in irons and dragged
on board the boats. The people Of Gin
cinnati made every exertion to procure
his release. But to the efforts and appeals
of the people, Col. Parks was immovable,
and with stole GOODNESS, informed them
that Wetzel must be delivered to the Of
IF KLoE
but force could procure his release, they,
during the night, rallied the entire force
on both sides of the riveE, and at the
dawn of day next morning FIVE hundred
strong men, under arms, marched TO the
boats and peremptorily demanded the re-
lease of Wetzel, Parks at 6rst refused, but
he was informed by their leader that if he
did not deliver Wetzel in ten minutes. he
would sink the boats and take WeGzel by
force. The ferocious spirit of the people,
and the. determination of their leader,
Ncompelled Parks to knock the irons of
of Wetzel and surrender him TO his
friends ..,
At this conduct of his countrymen,
Wetzel was deeply mortified. and to avoid
what he called the persecution ofhis own
people, he declared his. determination OF
Immediately leaving the country forev-
er. Accordingly he left the first oppor-
tunity for the Spanish province of Lou
isiana. He stopped at Natchez, and at
once engaged in his fayorite business Of
frontier service and soon became gem
eral tavorite with The settlers. In his
new home, Wetzel appeared to have ev-
cry thing to make it comfortable. and
the change from his native to his adopt
ed country appeared happy one. But
the smooth current of life was again to
be rufHed, and his meridian sun again OBJ
scured by the clouds of trouble.
Wetzel was an unlettered man, and
his whole life proved his character Of
unbending integrity. Placing no value
on money none. believed that he would
do a dishonest act for mere gain. But
notwithstanding his character aud the
circumstances of his life, he was arrested
for counfeiting the coin of the king.
"a man by the name of Piatt, from
near Pittsburgh, who had for some cause
sought refuge in Louisiana, was the
accuser of poor Wetzel. Whether he
was aCtuated by motives of malice, self
protection, or other cause is, and per-
haps ever will be locked up within the
secrets of the past. Than an unlettered
man, like Wetzel. could counterfeit, was
he ever SO willing, was posterous. Be-
sides, all who knew him. were confident
he would not do it if be could. But up~
on evidence of Piatt. he was convicted
and sentenced to be calaboosed at New
Orleans.
The news of Wetzel's misfortunes
soon reached the upper country, and the
first Office OF the Western boatman, on
reaching New Orleans, was to visit the
prison Of poor Wetzel and offer whatever
was in his power for his comfort and re.
lief. Petition after petition was sent tc
the Spanish Governor. praying for his re,