The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-06-15
Death Of q Noted Indian Hunter at the
Age Of 1o2 Years.
Correspondents Of Pittsburg Commercial.

80
STEUDENv1LLE, O., May 25.-A fe,
weeks ago a most extraordinary characte
and venerable pioneer died at Bridgeport,
few miles below this city; and immediatel
opposite the city of Wheeling. 1 refer t
Joseph Worlcy, whose early history and sub
sc9ucnt career have been so intimately con
nected with the frontier annals Tof this sec
ton of country that-it is a wonder that hi
death has been unnoticed by the local press
Joseph Worley was born in 1869, just on
hundred and two years ago His relative
say that his birthplace was at West Liberty
in Ohio county, NOW West Virginia, but it il
certainly true, that whether born there o.
not, his early boyhood was spent in that 10
cality, which is not more than miles distant
from the spot where he died. At the time
of his birth this part of thcWest was an un
broken Wilderness 1t was yet thirteen
years before the first white man had fixed
his abode west of the Ohio river few hunt
ers held Kentucky against the Indians north
Of the river, and sustained with that region
the primitive relations of horse-stealing and
scalping in Virginia the frail and lonely
settlements (of which West Liberty was one)
creeping westward, made friends with the
desert, and produced population nearly as
wild as its elder children, aud quite rs fierce
and trucuent. r. -.
Into such heritage was young Worley
born, and from his earliest childhood he dis
covered an aptitude for frontier life. He
was particularly skilled in the use of his
rifle, and all his early thoughts and plan
nings had reference to the savage foes that
surrounded him. The numerous expedi-
tions for which he was chosen shosen show
ed 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 set
Elements. It was the aim of the settlers to
vanquish this most formidable foe, and Mr..
Worley, with others, undertook the task of
capturing him. In this work, Mr.. Girty, at
the head of the Ottawa warriors, was pur-
sued across the Ohio at Meigs Island. up
the waters of Cross creek, and far into the
interior of what is now called the State of
Ohio, his pursuers enduring unparalleled
privations and encountcring perilous difficult
ties, 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-
cupying 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-
necr history. Worley, who was several years
years WetzePs junior, was his very intimate
friend, and his almost constant companion in
the woods. On one occasion, having discov
cred fresh evidences of the presence of In
dians in tho neighborhood Of the settlements,
Wctzel and Worley undertook to ascertain
their whereabouts. They followed their
tracks for several miles, and became so in
tent upon their prey as to scarcely become
,ware of the distance they had wandered
from the settlements, until they had gone
eleven or twelve miles south, and nearly op-
oosite to the point where the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad now strikes the Ohio river
Here the camp of of Indians, who discover
ID the hunters about the same time they
we're themselves discovered Both parties
ook to the trees, after the custom of Indian
lighting, but the Indians greatly. .outnum-
,ered the others Six or seven stalwart and
rained Indian warriors of the Huron tribe
we're now pitted against two determined
hunters; and, as ifto add to the danger Of
heir position, Wetzel'was recognized by the
indians as their implacabc and life long
nemy. Now began duel-a running fight
"a life and death contest. No reinforce
aentsr could reach the hunters until they
lad travelled at least ton miles, and long
'efore that their willy foes would oyerpower
hem in all probability. Yet they deter
nined to sell their lives dearly. Wetzcl
ook command, and Worley obeyed him
implicitly. In recountins it oftentimes af-
erward, Mr.. Worley grew animated, and
lobly attributed to We.zel the salvation of
lis life.
A tall Huron warrior was the first to fall
lie rushed out from his covert with de-
noniac yell, thinking that they were unpre-
jared for sudden attack, or would readily
ield to the force ofsuperior numbers. But
n this he was mistaken, and his life paid the
'cnalty. For a moment or so aftcrward the
ther indians were silent and awc-struck,
'ut in that interval Wetzcl had again loaded
lis gun. Several shots were fired at him,
'ut he was securely shielded by tree. And
%. from tree to tree for four exciting miles,
he hunters lodged and crcpt. Another
Warrior, in seeking steathily to cut off their
etreat, was killed, and the others became
more cautious. Once WetzHl put his cap on
he ramrod as though he was pecring round
he tree, and when an Indian shot bullet
through it he let it drop to the ground. The
indians all rushed out when two others
ell. The movements were now carried
N both sides with the utmost caution. The
hunters worked their way gradually toward
he fort, the three remaining Indians becom-
ng every moment more anxious. One of
heir number, perhaps, while carefully climb
ng a tree OH the opposite side from the
hunters, with view of startling them from
heir lurking place, unconsciously exposed
himself, and was wounded by one of the
hunters; whereupon. the other Indians, hav-