Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-04-27
LEWIS WETZEL.

Among the heroes of border warfare, Lewis
Wetzel held no inferior station. Injured to
hardshps while yet in boyho and educated
In oil tho various arts of woodcraft, from that
OF hunting the beaver and bear, to that OF the
willy Indian, he became in manhood one OF the
most celebrated mark ksmen of the day. His
form was erect and of that height best adapted
10 activity, being very muscular and possessed
of great bodily strength. His frame was
warmed by heart that never palpitated with
fear, and animated by spirit that quailed not,
Eor became confused in the midst of danger
aud death FIom constant practice, he could
bear prolonged and violent exercises, especial
~ that of running and walking without IA
tigue, and had also acquired the art of load
ing his rifle when moving at full speed through
the forest and wheeling on the instant, could
discharge bullet with unerring aim the dis
tance OF eighty or one hundred yards, into a
mark not larger than shilling. This art he
has been known more than once to practice
with success on his savage foes. y celebrated
mark smun in those days, was estimated by the
Borderers in the same way that 4 Knight Temp
lar OF Knight of the Cross was valued by his
contemporaries, who exceiled in the Tourna-
n;ent or the charge in the days of Chiyalry.
Challenges of skill often took place, and marks
men frequently met by appointment, who lived
AZ the distances of fifty miles or more from each
other, to try the accuracy of their aim, on bets
ot considerable amount. Tetzel's fame had
spread far and wide through the adjacent set
Elements, as the most expert riheman of the
day. In the spring of the year, a. D. 1874,
is chanced that q young man, few years
younger than WetZel, who lived on the waters
OF Dunkard' s Greek a tributary of the Monon-
sshcla river, had heard of his fame, and as he
also an expert woodsman, and a first rate
shot, the best in the settlement, he became
very desirOus of opportunity for a trial of
skill. So great was his anxiety, that he very
rlv -iF,rr rod 10
whistling his faithful dog to his side, started
for the ueighborhood OF Wetzel, who lived
near tie fork of Wheeling Greek, distance of
Is or 90 miles, although the two streams rise
in the vicinity of each other. When about
half way on his journey fine buck just start
cd TN before him. He leveled his rife with
his usual accuracy, but the deer did not fall
dead in his tracks, although mortaliy wounded.
His stout dog seized him and brought him to
the ground-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, and with
a loud voice claimed the deer as bis property,
having as he said, been brought down by lis
shot, and seized by bis dog. 1t so happened
that they had both fired at the same time, and
ct the same deer, a 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 a 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 bunter happened to strike that OF the
young man. The old adage, ''strlke my dos
strike me, - arose in all force, and with nasty
osths he fell upon the strange hunter ana
hurled him to the ground. This was no soon-
or done. than he found himself turned, and
under his stronger and more powerful antago-
mist. Perceiying that he was no match at tins
,,Iav, he appealed TO the trial by rifle, saying
IL was too much like dogs for men and hunters
10 fight in this manner. The stranger assent
I'd to the trial, but .old the young man that be-
fore he proceeded TO put it to test, he had bet
90, ,ri,ne,s what he was able TO do with that
xeanon saving that he WAS as much superior
:, ,he use of the rife, as he was IN todlly
strength. In proof he bid him place marx
the size of dollar on the side oil huge pop
laT that stood beside them, from which he
xould start with his rifle unloaded, and run
ming hundred Yards at full speed, ne "ouiu
load it as he ran, and wheeling, discharge !.
instantly to the center of the mark. Inc i1''
Was no sooner proposed than periorheu' 'no
ball striking the center OF the diinihut"o 'a
get. Astonished at his skill, MS ahIagohi''
now enquired his name.
Lewis Wetzel, at your service"
Forgetting his animosity, the young hunter
seized him by the hand with all the ardor OF
Youthful admiration ,and at once acknowledged
his own inferiority. So charmed was he with
Wetsers frankness, skill and fine personal ap-
pesranco, that he insisted on his returning
with him to the Dunkard' s settlement, that he
might exhibit his dexterity to his own family,
and TO the hardy backwoodsmen-his neigh
bors Nothing 10th TO such an exhibition,