The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-05-31

STEUBENvILLE, O., May 25, 1871.
A few weeks ago most extraordinary
character and venerable pioneer died at
Bridgeport, few miles below this city,
and Immediately oppo- lite the city of
Wheeling refer to Joseph Morley,
whose early history and subsequent
career have been so intimately connect
ed with the frontier annals Of this Sec
ton of country, that it is a wonder that
his death has been unnoticed by the
local press.
Joseph Morley was born IN 1869,
just one hundred aud two years ago
His relatives say that his birthplace was
at West Liberty, in Ohio county, now
West Virginia, but it is certainly true
that whether born there or not, his
early childhood was spent in that To-
cality, which is not more than twelve
miles distant from the spot where he
died. At the time of his birth this part
of the West was an unbroken wilder
ness. 1t was yet thirteen years before
the first white man had fixed his abode
west of the Ohio river; a few hunters
held Kentucky against the Indians
north of the river, and sustained with
that region the primitive relations OF
horse stealing and scalping; in Nir-
ginia the frail and lonely settlements (of
which West Liberty was one) creeping
westward, made friends with the desert
and produced a population nearly as
wild as its elder children, and quite as
fierce and truculent
Into such heritage was young Wor-
ley born; and from his earliest child
hood he discovered an aptitude for from
tier life. He was particularly skilled
in the use OF his rifle, and all his early
thoughts and plannings had reference
to the savage foes that surrounded him.
The numerous expeditions for which he
was chosen showed the confidence his
felow-pioneers had in him. Simon
Girty, the notorious white renegade,
was at this time with the Indians on
the Sandusky plains, and frequently
headed their marauding raids upon the
settlements. 1t was the aim of the set
tiers to vanquish this most formidable
foe, and Mr. Morley, with others, I'M
dertook the task of capturing him. In
this work, Mr.. Girty, at the head OF the
Ottawa warriors, was pursued across the
Ohio at Meigs Island, up the waters of
Cross creek, and tar into the interior OF
what is now the State Of Ohio, his pur-
suers enduring unparalleled privatiOn
and encountering perilous difficulties,
but always unsuccessful in his capture.
Some time early in life Morley and
his brother Jacob, who seems to be as
heroic as the other drited toward Fort
Henry, occupying the point where
Wheeling now stands, and here they
became acquainted with the famous
Lewis Wetzel, one of the most noted
Indian hunters OF American pioneer
history. WOrley, who was several
years Wetzels junior, was his very III
innate friend, and his almost constant
companion in the woods. On one oc-
casion, having discovered fresh evil
dences ofthe presence Of lndiansin the
neigh borhood of the settlements, Wet
eel and Morley undertook to ascertain
their whereabouts. They followed their
tracks for several miles, and became so
intent upon their prey as to scarcely be,
come aware of the distance they had
wandered from the settlements, until
they had gone eleven or twelve miles
south, and nearly opposite to the point
where the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road now strikes the Ohio river.
Here they came upon a camp OF
Indians, who discovered the hunters
about the same time they were them
selves discovered. Both parties took
to the trees, after the custom OF Indian
fighting, but the Indians greatly out
numbered the others. Six or seven
stalwart and trained Indian warriors OF
the Huron tribe were now pltted against
two determined hunters; and, as II 10
add to the danger OF their position,
Wetzel was recognized 10y the Indians
as their implacable and lifelong enemy.
Now began a duel-a running fight-a
life-and.death contest No reinforce,
ments could reach the hunters until
thew had travelled at least ten miles, ana
long before that their willy foes would
oyerpower them in all probability. Yet
they determined to sell their lives
dearly. Wetzel took command, ana
Worley obeyed him implicitly. In re-
counting it ottentimes atterward MT.
Morley grew animated, and nobly at
tr;Lrted 70 Wetzel the salvrtion of his
life.
A tall Huron warrior was the first to
fall He rushed out from his coVet
with a dcmoniac yell, thinking that
they were unprepared for sudden at
tack, or would readily yield to the force
of SUPERIOR numbers. But in this he
was mistaken, and his life paid the
penalty. For moment Or so alter
ward the other Indians were silent and
apparentlv awe struck, but in that IN
terval Wetzel had again loaded his gun
Several shots were fired at him, but he
was securely shielded 10y tree. And
so from tree to tree for four exciting
miles. the hunters lodged and crept.
Another warrior, in seeking steathlly 10
cut off their retreat, was killed, and the
others became more cautious. once
Wetzel put his cap on the ramrod, as
though he was peering round the tree
and when the Indian shot a bullet
through it he let it drop to the ground.
The Indians all rushed out, when two
others fell. The movements were now
carried on, on both sides, with the ut,
most caution. The hunters worked
their way gradually toward the fort, the
three remaining Indians becoming every
moment more anxious One OF Their
number perhaps while carefully climb
inc a tree on the opposite side from the
L,S,tors with q view OF startling them