The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-01-18
ELIZABETH ZANE.
A TRUE STORY.
rErom the Youths CabinetO

to write story-"something abont
Indians" | am the owner OF an old
book called "Chronicles of Border War
fare" it was published in 1881 by Alex
ander s. Withers, aud is very inter.
esting worA. He gives an account OF
the heroism of young girl who lived
eighty seven years ago. NOW listen, LOT
my story is begun.
About the first of September, IN the
year l772, whilst celebrated spy lwhose
name was John Lynn was engaged In
watching the war paths northwest oil
the Ohio river, he discovered the lndl-
ans marching with great haste Tor the
village of Wheeling (now the city OF
Wheeling, West Virginia. he according.
lv hurried to warn the inhabitants OF
Their danger. He swan the river and
reached the village but short time
before the savage army made Its appear
aDce.
The Fort at this time had 10 regular
garrison, and depended for defense eA-
clusively upon those who sought securi-
ty within its walls; and when the attack
was made by the Indians, there were not
more than twenty men in the Fort Ia
oppose the assault.
The dwelling house of Col. Ebenezer
Zane, which stood about forty yards
from the Fort, contained the military
stores: and as it was admirably situated
IAN outpost from which to annoy the
sayages, be resolved to maintain posses
sion of it, as we'll as TO aid in the defense
of the Fort and 10 preserve the ammu-
milton. There were in the dwelling
house, Col. Ebenezer Zane, Andrew
Scott George Green, Mrs. Zane, Molly
Scott, and Mss Mccullough. The
kitchen adjoining the house was occu-
nied nv Sam "a negro belonging 10 Col
zane ! and his wife Kate. Col. Silas
zane commanded in the Fort.
The Indians came up with the British
colors waving over them, and before 4
shot was fred, demanded the surrender
of the garrison. All the answer they
received was the firing of several shots
at their British flag, then the savageS
rnsbed on to the assault. A brisk hre
was opeped on them, both from the Fort
and the house, and they were driven
hack, Again they made an attack, and
apaiu they were repulsed. They had
01ite a number of guns in both the
bouse and the Fort, and as the ladies,
by moulding bullets, loading guns and
handing them to the men, enabled them
10 fire so fast, and yet so effectively, the
Indians recoiled from every charge. Ii
was too het work for them. Soon night
came on, and all was still aud quiet, an
Indian was ordered, by his chief, to
burn the dwelling house, so taking a
fire brand in his hand, he crawled silent
ly to the kitchen, and raising himself
from the ground, waved the torch to
and fro to rekindle the flame, and was
about to apply it to the building, when
he received q shot, which forced him to
drop his torch, and he hobblCd away as
fast as he could, bowling as he went.
"Ha, ha! said Black Sam, dat de way
Ifix'em; he'd better not try dat little
trick sgin." 1t was Sam who had de-
tected the Indian just in time to stop
"dat little trick"
Soon after the firing had ceased, a
small boat on its way from Fort Pitt to
the Falls Of the Ohio, with load OF
cannon balls for the use of the troops
there, landed at Wheeling; the man who
had charge of the boat was soon discov-
cred by the Indians; they fired upon him
and wounded him slightly, but he reach
ed the Fort and was admitted. Now,
the Indians thought they would be sue
cessful; SO early the next day they pro-
cured log, which had hollow in it
about the size of the cannon balls; they
then got some chains from q shop near
by and bound tine log with them. When
all was ready, they put in good load
of powder and ball, then pointing il at
the Fort the word was given and the
match applied. Bang bang! A dread
ful explosions; the cannon burst, and its
pieces flew all around, killing several
indians and wouDding many moro,
How angry and furious this accident
made theIo they pressed on like set
of crazy fellows, and fred away in great
fury. Still they were received with such
o steady and constant fire, that they
were forced to fall back.
This was very fortunate for the gar
rison, as their powder was almost eN.
hausted, q nd it now became necessary
to procure some from Col. Zane's house.
1t was proposed that one of the feetest
men should endeavor 10 reach the house,
get keg of powder and return with it
to the Fort. 1t was an enterprise of
great danger, but many of the men were
willing to venture.
Miss Elizabeth Zane, the younger sis
IeT Oh OOl. Lauoy WIN hdu Jul lSC6DUlN
returned from Philadelphia, where she
had received her education, and who
was totally unused to Indian fights and
scenes of blood, volunteered to 60 for
the powder. She was told of the great
danger, and that man could rnn faster
than she, and thus be exposed to less
danger, but her reply was: "The loss Of
q man will be mole severely felt; you
have not one man to spare; q woman
will not be missed in the defense of the
Fort" Her services were accepted.
The brave girl taking off some of her
garments so as not to hinder her run
ming, stood prepared for the dangerous
adventure. The gate was opened, and
she bounded forth with full confidence
Of success. In amazement the Indians
beheld her spring forward, and only ex-
claiming, "A squaw, q squaw;" no at
49, A. L.