The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-07-21


an end, and the statement of Mrs. CRU
ger falls TO the ground, no matter what
may be the effect upon her future reputa-
ton. This vexed question should be set
tied at once, now, in this Centennial
year; and the present offers favorable
opportunity. Mrs. Cruger, as before
stated, was the daughter of Capt. VIM.
Boggs. Her first husband was Col.
Moses Shepperd. She subsequently mar
ried Col. Cruger, of New York, and died
few wears ago, at the Monument house,
six miles east of Wheeling, aged lO2
years. We. will now allow her to
speak for himself; and then We pause tor
rcply. ,- INVESTIGATOR.
From De Hass' History OF the Indian
Wars.
"The undersigned having been applied
to for a statement of facts respecting the
memorable achievement at the attack on
Fort Henry (Wheeling), in September,
1882, known as the gunpowder exploit
would state as follows, viz:
"On Monday afternoon. September II,
1882, body Of about 800 Indians, and 30
British soldiers, composing part of a
company known as the Queens Rangers,
appeared in front of the fort and demand
cd surrender. These forces were COM
manded respectively by the white rene
gade Girty and Captain Pratt.
"The demand for surrender was, OF
course, not complied with, and the attack
then commenced.
'Durirg the forenoon of Tuesday, Sep
tember 18th, the enemy having tempo
rarily withdrawn from the attack, but oc-
cupying position within gunshot Of the
fort, those within the stockade observed
q female leave the residence Of Colonel
Zane, and advance with rapid movements
towards the fort. She made for the
southern gate, as it was less exposed to
the fire of tho enemy. The gate was
opened Immediately, and she entered in
safety. That person was none other than
Molly Scott, and the object OF her mission
was to procure powder for those who de.
Tended the dwelling of Colonel Zane.
The undersigned was at that time in her
seventeenth year, and remembers
every circumstance connected with the in
cident. She saw Molly Scott enter the
fort, assisted her in getting the powder,
and saw her leave, and AYERS most posi-
lively that she and she alone, accom-
plished the feat referred to, and deserves
all the credit that may be attached to it.
"The ammunition at that time was kept
in the store-house, adjoining the resi-
dence Of my father, and known as the
"Cap.aln's house" My father, Captain
Boggs,) having left for help on the COM
mencement of the attack; and ], being
the oldest child under the paternal roof,
was directed by my mother to 20 with the
messenger, MOLLY Scott,) to the store
house. and give her whatever ammunition
she needed. This the undersigned did,
and will now state, without fear Of con-
tradiction, that the powder was given
to Molhe Scott and not to Elizabeth
Zane.
"7He undersigned assisted Molly Scott in
placing the po'cder in her apron, and to
this she was willing to bequalifed at any
time.
"Elizabeth Zane, for whom has long
been claimed the cred'' of this heroic
feat, was at that time al the residence Of
her father, near the present town OF
Washington, Pa.
"At the time Of its occurrence, the
achievement was not considered very e1-
traordinary. Those were emphatically
times when womsn's heart was nerved to
deeds OF no ordinary kind. We all felt
it was then to do or die;' and the under
signed does not hesitate to say that more
that one within the little stockade at
Wheeling would have accomplished the
feat with as much credit as the one whose
name seems destined to an immortality
in border warfare.
"But the undersigned does not wish to
detract any from the heroism of that
feat; she only desires to correct a gross
error to give honor to whom honor is
due. This she deems imperative, that the
truth and justice of history may be
maintained.
"Tke undersigned disclaims all unkind
feelings toward any one, in relation to
this statement. Elizabeth Zane was one
of her earliest acquaintances, whom she
knew TO be woman, brave, generous,
and single-hearted.
"Given under my hand and seal, this
2Sth day of November, lS49.
LYDIA ). CRUaER, SEAL.