Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1859-05-07
Sclctt Gale.
LEWIS WETzEL.

Among the heroes of border warfare Lew
is Wetzel held no inferior station. Injured
to hardships while yet iu boyhood and ecu-
Gated in all the various arts OF woodcraft,
from that Of bunting the beaver and bear,
to that Of the willy Indian, he became in
mauRood one of the most celebrated marks
man of the day. His form was erect, and OF
that height best adapted to activity, being
very muscular and possessed Of great bodily
strength. His frame was warmed by heart
that never paipitated with fear aud ANNA
ted by spirit that quailed not, nor became
confused IN the midst Of danger and death
From constant practice, he could bear pro.
longed and violent exercises, espec ALLY that
of running and walking without fatigue and
had also acquired the art of loading bis rifle
when moving at full speed through the forest.
and wheeling on the instant, could discharge
bullet with unerring aim the distance Of
eighty or one hundred yards, into mark not
not larger than shilling. This art be has
been known more than once to practice with
success on his savage foes. A celebrated
marksman in those days, was estimated by
the Bcrderers in the same way that Knight
Tempar or knight of the Cross was valued
by his contemporaries, who eXcelled in the
Tournament Of the charge in the days OF
Chivalry. Challenges Of skill often took
place. and marksmen frequently met by ap-
pOintment, who lived at the distance Of City
miles or more from each other, TO try the
accuracy of their aim, on bets Of considera.
BILE amount. Wetzels fame bad spread far
band wide through the adjacent settlements,
as the most expert riflenan Of the day. In
the spring of the year. A. d. 1854, it Glanced
that young man, few years younger than
Wetzel, who lived or the waters of Dunkard's
Creek, tributary Of the Monongahela river
had beard OF his fame, and as he was also an
expert woodsmau, aud first rate shot, the
best in the settlement, be became very desi
rous Of an opportunity for trial Of Skill
So great was his anxiety, that he very early
one morning shouldered his rife, and whist
ling his faithful dog to his side, started for
the neighborhood of Wetzel, who lived near
the fork of Wheeling Greek, distance of l5
or 20 miles, although the two streams rise in
the vicinity Of each other. When abou: half
way on his journey fine buck just started
up before him. lie leved his rife with his
usual accuracy but the deer did not fall dead
in his tracks, although mortally wounded
His stout dog seized him and brought him
to the grouDG-but while in the act Of SO
doing, another dog sprang from the forest
upon the same deer, and his master made his
appearance at the same time from behind
tree aud with loud voice claimed the deer
as his property, having as he said, been
brought down by his shot, and seized by bis
dog. 1t so happened that they had both
fred at the same time, and at the same deer,
fact which may very we'll happen where two
active men are hunting on the same ground
although one of them may fire at fifty
yards. and the other at double that distance.
The dogs, feeling similar spirit to that
OF their masters, soon quit the deer, which
was already dead. and fell to worrying and
tearing each other. In separating the dogs,
the stranger hunter happened to strike that