The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-06-07
Sathered 1sOme-Deeth OF n Noted
Indian Hunter Mt the age of 100
Years.


Indian Hunter Mt the age of lO2
Years.
| Correspondence OF Pl.teburg Commercial
STEUBENvILLx, o., May GA few weeks
ago most extraordinary character and
venerable pioneer died at Bridgeport, few
miles below this city, and Immediately on
posite the city Of Wheeling. refer to .Jo-
seph Worley, whose early history and sub.
scquent career have been 80 Intimately con-
nected with the frontier annals of this Sec
ton of country that it is a wonder that his
death has been unnoticed by the local
lpress. -l.-
Joseph Worley was born In 1860, lust
one hundred and two years ago. His rela-
yves say that his birthplace was at West
Lloerty, ln Ohio county, now West Vir-
glnla, but it Is certainly true that, whether
born there or not, bis early childhood was
spent in that locality, which is not more
IMAM twelve miles distant from the spot
where be died. At the time of his birth
this part Of the West was an unbroken
wilderness. It was yet thirteen years be-
lore the first white man had fixed bis abode
west of the Ohio river; few hunters held
kentucky against the Indians north of the
| river, and sustained with that region the
primitive relations of horse-stcaling and
scalping; in Virginia the fral and lonely
settlements (of which West Liberty was
onc) creeping westward, made friends with
the desert, and produced population
nearly as wild as its elder children, and
quite as fierce and trucuent.
Into such heritage was young Worley
born, and from his earliest childhood he
discovered an aptitude for frontier life. He
was particularly skilled in the use OF his
rifle, and all his early thoughts and plan
nlngs had reference to the savage foes that
L lcrrrpn 1nI hi hn
ditions 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. It was the aim of the set
tiers to vanquish this most formidable
foe, and Mr.. Worley, with others, I'M
dertook the task Of capturing him. In
this work, MIR. Girty, at the head of the
Ottawa warriors, was pursued across the
Ohio at Meigs Island, up the waters of
Cross creek, and far into the interior of
enduring unparalleled priYations and ell
lcountering perilous difficulties, but always
unsuccessful in his capture.
Some time early in life, Worley and his
brother Jacob, who seems to be as heroic rs
the other, drifted toward Fort Henry, oc-
lcupying 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 pio-
neer history. Worlcy, who was several
years WetZePs junior, was his very inti-
mate friend, and his almost constant COM
parion in the woods. On one occasion,
having discovered fresh evidences of the
presence OF Indians in the neighborhood of
the settlements, WetZcl and Worley under
took to ascertain their whereabouts. They
followed their tracks for several miles, and
became so intent upon their prey as to
scarcely become aware Of the distance they
had wandered from the settlements, until
they had gone eleven OF twelve miles
south, and nearly opposite to the
point where the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad now strikes the Ohio river.
Here they came upon camp of Indians,
who discovered the hunters about the same
time they were themselves discovered.
Both parties took to the trees, after the
custom of Indian fighting, but the Indians
greatly olltnumbcrcd the others. Six or
seven stalwart and trained Indian war;
riors of the Huron tribe were now pittcd
against two determined hunters; and, as
if to add to the danger Of their position,
WetZcl WAS recognized by the Indians
as their implacablc and lifelong enemy.
Now began 4 ducl-a running tight-a life
and athcoutcSt. n O rcinf0rcements could
reach the hunters until they had travelled
at least ten miles, and long before that their
willy foes would cvGrpOwer them in all pro-
bability. Yet they determined to sell their
lives dearly. WetZel took command. and
Worley obeyed him implicitly. In recount
ing it oftentfmes ..afterward, Mr.. Worley
grew animated, and nobly attributed to
Wetzel the salvation OF his lite. J..
t11l Huron warrior WAS thp first n
fall. He rushed out from his covert with
demonluc yell, thinking that they were lln-
prepared Tor Il sudden attack, or would
readily yield to the force OF superior num-
bers. Bit in this lie was mistaken, and his
life paid the penalty. For II moment or so
altcrwar, the other Indians were silent
and apparently awe-Struck, but in that
interval WetZcl had again loaded his gun.
Several shots were fired at him, but he
was securely shielded by Il tree. And
so, from tree to tree for four exciting
miles, the hunters lodged and crcpt.
Another warrior, In seeking stcalthily to
cut of their rcticat, was killed, and the
others tccamc more cautious. Once Wet
Zel nut his cap OH the ramrod, rs though
he was peering round the Tree, and when
the Indian shot bullet through 1t he let it
drop to the ground. The Indians all rushed
ont when two others fell. The movements
were no" VII ooeu oi'tEo W ILL tut
utmost 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 .limbing Il
tree on the opposite side from the
hunters, with 4 view of startling them
from their lllrking-place, unconsciously eX-
posed himself, and was wounded by one Of
the hunters; whereupon, the other ln-
i dIans, having trusted so long to the superb
ority of their numbers, and having pecu-
liar dread of WctZel, stole away into the
| depths of the woods, leaving the hunters
to recount what was even then regarded as
q ,naryelously heroic feat. This circum-
staucc was related to your correspondent
many years ago, when Joseph Worley was
even then called al old man.
THE CHURCH REBELLION IN CHICAGO
Christ and Anti -Chrzst.-Chicago, June s..
Rev. S. Ii. Tying, Jr., OF New York, who
preached yesterday for Mr.. Cheney, had
previously received note from Bishop
| Whiiehouse notifying him of MIR. Cheney's
deposition, and reminding him OF the
canon forbidding participation in services
with dcpoSed clergymen. Mr.. Tying paid
no heed to the letter, but preached both
sermons, Mr.. Cheney reading the morning
and evening services for him, and the two
gentlemen uniting and administering the
Eucharist. The congregation was the
/ largest ever assembled in Christ Church.
In the evening even the chancel and
vestry were crowded, and hundreds were
obliged to 20 away, unable to OBJ