Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-11-14
THE HEROES OF FORT MaEEnY
A HISTORICAL INCIDENT. !.
BY WILLIAM EARLE BINDER.


Henry at the mouth OF Wheeling creek. was
garrisoned by only twelve men and two boys
fourteen persons in all; and that in the ear
ly and eyen:ful days Of the country, when all
around was a howling wilderness. and the saw
age red men were almost as numerous rs the
leaves of the forest. - 1 ihT7 LeH
During the siege of this fort by the Indians
under Simon Girty, famous renegade, nu :
Der Of interesting incidents are said to have
transpired, among which was the bold and gal
liant exploit Of Elizabeth Zane, young girl
who braveIy Quilted the fort, returned TO her
fathers house in the adjacent settlement. Sc
cured a keg of powder which she knew was
hidden there, and, under the very fire OF the
Indians succeeded in making her way safeiy
back to the forti6caiion with her much coveted
prize. t-t s2 r5ef=a h,iE
Other incidents transpired, as we have just
stated. one of which we propose now making q
sketch of. ll1lh = Ills r q rI-7 brs gT'1i
1t was after the Siege had been sometime con-
tinued, and the garrison was reduced from forty
two, which was the original number, to four
teen. Us We have already stated. yIih' a12l
The Indians had taken possession of the set
| Elements and corn-felds. from whence they
kept up the siege, and. as long rs thoy remain
ed under cover, with every advantage to them
selves. This way Of getting along. however,
was far too slow and troublesome for the rene
gade leader. rgt lal - al 1Ai'e1l
"Sumthin' bettern this must be donel" hiss
ed Girty, with terrible oath. lA.iia
-Ughl ughl" grunted back his dusky COM
panions. i1isl
We've peppered 'em pooty we'll so fur, and
thar can't be MORN handful Nv 'em left, so
let's see if they wont knock under to sum sort
o tarms.' -4-gaa aE
| mo tarml no tarmr' growled the relentless
chiefs. "Gib US pale face scalp, all O. deml''
'Uv course you shall have their skulpsl' re-
sponded Girty, with the loudest kind of an
oath. mot a chick nor child nv the whole lot
shall scape. l say it, and Simon Girty hates
| the pale-faces wuss nor the devil. Cass EN-!
| cuss EN-! cuss 'em! don't l hate EN-, thought
dom hate 'emi Never you be afcard. Injuns!
1 may offer EN- tarms jest to draw em inter-
our hands. but the only farms they'll git arter-
wards will be sich as we alters give 'em-thc
bloodiest sort!'
Girtys words pleased the Indians immensely.
as might we'll be expected. ~.
wal, I'll Jest give EN- trial!'' added the
outlaw, who forthwith proceeded TO rig up a
white flag. with which he made his appearance
at the window of q cabin few moments after.
ward. 4jl s' .47 rll ID .
Standing thsre. surrounded by his red COM
panions, and waving his flag of truce toward
the fort, we leave him .nd turn our attention to
the bcleagured settlers.
Inside the stockadc all was deep and intense
anxiety. And yet there was no fear, no waver-
ing. no hesitation. Death stared them in the
face, but. with strong hearts, they resolutely
performed their duty. And. altogether, men
and boys, they only numbered fourteen.
Spa, tan band that, trulyl Talk Of the heroes OF
the Old World rs much rs you please, but the
historyIof our bordea can tell a tale of gallant
men unparalleled since the beginning of time.
Still, the valiant little band was in despe-
rate strait zit.st1s---- sR .=--.--..l -s 30
"My friends. shall We continue to fight the
retlskins?" demanded Colonel Shepard, the
cnmmandant of the garrison, as he appeared in
the midst of his handful of men. 'a q
ITO he death. Colonel!" was The firm and
uniallering reyly of ALL
ITO the death, be 1t thcnl' unhesitatingly re-
turned tho gallant officer Flw
"See there" suddenly cried one of the men,
as he turned round and looked in the direction
of The enemy. "Thcrc's somebody wavin a
white flag IrUm the winder of Zane 8 house."
Every eye was instantly bent in the direc-
tion indicated.
Atthe same time Colonel Shepard stepped as
far forward as possible. -Hr
The white flag. and Girty. and this Indians
around him. were plainly visible 10 all.
"What do they want, l wonder?" was the
question that passed from mouth to mouth.
Ave shall soon know" responded Colonel
Shepard for Girty, the renegade, s going to
speak."
MAY the lightnIngs of Gods wrath blast the
bloody monsterl" muttered one of the men,
between his set teeth. i-9.-
"Amenl" simultaneously responded the 9TH
ers, in deep and intense chorus.
Atthat NONE nj the voice of Girty broke up
on their ears. $50 o. elieIG F+ i5
In the name OF the king call upon YOU TO
H., collad sP.f,,sa ,pI mt
spar a single wan NV vel" i0-
"Accursed renegade, your threats are idlel"
shouted back the Colonel. "We are not to be
frightened. and would sooner dic.at our posts
than surrender TO you." 77,al1 l3b
"Surrender, an we'll spar you air. pursued
Girty. 81 swar itl-not achick nor child shall
be harmed. Open the gates, an We may march
out with yer weapons in yer hands. -a
He liesi' passed from mouth to mouth, in
stern tones. y5rl II 'f- iH
"lt's byt cheat to get us into their power!"
added the Colonel. ..Girty is more to be
credited than the imp of darkness" 1H
Wal. what say We thar? will ye surrender?
again yelled tine renegade.
.No!" burst simultaneously from the lips of
ALL and made the welkin ring. Tai
! The sounds of the parley had drawn the wo-
men from the interior of the fort, and with
white faces they now stood clustered around.-
| Among the number was the heroic Elizabeth
| Zane. .t disr ifas ysi.
-Wal. then. ye shall die, every wun nv ye!'
ripped ont the renegade. with string of oaths.
| "NOt o man, woman, or child, will we spar; an
| the wimmen shall suffer the wust of ALL 1
| The poor females wrung their hands and vail
ed with agony; aud the iron-v -visaged settlers
mingled among them and tried to console them.
1t was moment of trial-aseasOn of agony.
Death would have been nothing to the indescri-
| bable feelings those poor people endured.
| Suddenly fine, manly-l0Oking youth, who
| had been standing in the background, leaning
on his rifle. silent and alone, strobe forward to a
point nearest the cabin occupied by Girty. His
brow was knit. his teeth set, his hands clenched
his nostrils dilated, and his black eyes cleaned
with the fires that were blazing up in him. The
| future of that boy was stamped upon his brow.
and shone forth from his eyes. Every look and
movement betokened the hero. no
| p "Villaini renegadel and murderer" he
shouted, in stcntoran tones; "the earth has too
long groaned with your presence. Take thatf'
| Quick rs q fash the excited boy threw up
his rifle and fred The intensity Of his emo
tions, however. spoiled his aim, and Girty life
was still preserved. The rcnegade's escape.
though, was miraculous. for the ball shiyered
the flagstaff which be held in his hands into a
hundred pieces. ,I 'Gli4- .nra s.l
| With loud yell, that was echoed from many
points, the outlaw and his red companions dis
| appeared from sight. H
h $50 help me God. missed the villain after
all!' mutiered the youth, with intense bitter
ness. ns be eagerly watched to see the effect Of