Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-07-28
The Story % Elizabeth Zane.

Long before the foot of civilization had
passed over from the first settlements on the
Atlantic coast into thainterior Of the country
before the great West was covered and
woven together by lines Of railroad, and her
rivers were navigated by steam-some New
England men, restless and discontented with
the Eastern country, started for the West.
The first work OF these early settlers was
b. build for themselves cabins, and surround
them with a row Of palisades, 10 serve as a
defence against the attacks Of Indians and
the incursions Of Wild beasts From the
wild beasts they had but little to fear; their
principal foes were the Indians.
There was a settlement Of pioneers near
Wheeling The Indians had troubled them,
and at the time Of my story they were ex-
pecting an attack. Fortunately information
had been brought them few hours before
the attack was to have been made. Soon
the Indian war-whoop resounded throughout
the thioket around them, and the rattling
| discharge Of muskets salnted their ears.
| The inmates of the fort however, were
safely concealed behind the palisades, and
were unhurt by the balls which they con
stantly heard striking against the walls.
The attack was not returned, but at inter-
walls the crack of a rifle from the fort would
bring to the ground some exposed savage.
While the Indians fought in this manner,
there was but little danger 10 those in the fort.
But when they dispaired of ever succeed
ing by such fighting, and approached to
break down and burn the palisades, then
those within were obliged to expose them
selves to their fire while beating them back.
Once, too, the wooden defence caught fire,
and while extinguishing the flames, six Of
their men were killed by Indian bullets.
- a. nut 10.
twelve men and boys, and several women
aud children.
The women were employed in loading the
guns thus rendering important assistance to
their husbands and sons
| After the defence had been carried on in
this way some time, one of the women
| brought word that there was no more pow
der. The men were horrorstricken. With
out ammunition, their rifles were Of no use
| to them. Nothing could hinder the Indians
from storming the weak fort. The massa-
ere, which they knew must in this case ensue,
caused the strongest to shudder and turn pale.
At this emergency a council was held, and
it was agreed by all that with the powder
| had passed away their last hopes, when one
of them happened to think OF keg Of pow
der that had not been opened, but left in
house outside the fortiication. This in
formation did not in any great measure raise
their hopes, for they supposed il certain that
the Indians had discovered it, and taken
possession of it, as they had torn down some
of the houses about the fort, and set fire to
others. When, however, a woman, sent to
ascertain the facts of the case, reported that
the house where the powder had been left
was still standing, and the Indians had gone
TO the other side of the fort, their hope re-
yiyed. The captain was unwilling to detail
ony one to get the keg, but called for volun-
teers. Each one of the garrison offered to 60.
Whilst in doubt as to whom they should
send from the many volunteers, Elizabeth
Zane, the sister of one of the officers of the
fort, came forward, and asked to be allowed
TO make the effort. Her request was promptly
refused but when she urged it, saying that
her life was of less value to the others than
the life of any one of the men, they yielded,
and she prepared to go.
1t was beautiful day in September, 1877
BY the time she was ready to start the
savages had again got round TO the side of
the fort on which the house was situated
but they were distant little way, and had
nearly ceased firing.
1t was plain that they were planning an
attack. 1t was a fearful moment when the
girl started out. She walked with firm
step, but quickly.
Half of the garrison were in readiness to
rush out to her rescue, If the savages should
attempt to take her
The Indians were astonished. They
ceased their counsel as she made her appear
ance, and gazed in amazement at her as she
advanced.
The sight of beautiful girl in such
place, exposed TO such dangers, yet bearing
herself so firmly and showing SO little fear,
seemed 10 hold them in check. She kept on,
and with the same steady step, entered the
house. Then in q moment she reappeared,
and, with deer-like swiftness, started for the
fort, bearing the lleg in her arms.
1t was then that the savages, for the first
time, recovered their self-possession, and be-
fore she had passed half the distance from
the house to the fort, yolley of bullets
whizzed and whistled around her. The men
watched in breathless suspense As she
kept on, unhindered by the flying balls, cheer
after cheer arose from those in the fort and
half the garrison rushed out to meet her.
Not ball had touched her, though fifty
must have been aimed at her as she ran.
The powder thus obtained caused re-
newal of the conflict on the part of the be-
sieged, and the Indians despairing of cap
turing the fort, finally raised the siege and
departed, leaving the bodies Of fifteen dead
ON the field.
Elizabeth Zane has met the applause she
so well deserved in the pages of history.
Her name is also commemorated by the town
of GAINESVILLE, Ohio, which, we are told, was
founded by her.