The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-07-14

eel, q German, who settled on Big Hheei'
ing Creek about fourteen miles from the
river. As an Indian fighter, his record
Is we'll known.
In 1893 John and Henry johnson, the
first 10, the latter II years old, whose
parents lived on Short Creek in CarPeh'
ter's Station, short distance above lhe
mouth Of Short Creek on the west side OF
the Ohio river, were out one evening
hunting cows on the river bottom: They
stopped under hickory tree and COM
menced TO crack nuts. They soon saw
Two men dressed like white men, one
carrying bride, approaching, ln ncy
thought the men were their iaIn i an aN
uncle, but upon discovering their ms! nj.
fake they ran. The Indians pointeu !leiE
gmns at them and told them 10 st9p OF
,Sov S Tonld kin them. They halted and
's"ro made prisoners. The Indians were
i, ,Lo nmrsuit OF horses, and in searching
t"r them led the boys by a circuitous
ror,e over the Short Creek hills. They
canned for tho night, when the oldest
how Affected satisfaction with being a
prisoner. He said that his father was
hard master, made him work always and
no play and he would much rather liyein
the woods and be a hunter than anything
else.
This soon brought him into intimacy
with one Of the Indians who could speak
good English. When night came the fire
was covered and the boys made 10 lay
down. They we're then pinioned; the In
dians placed their straps oyer them
and laid down, Que on each side, on the
ends Of the straps: Late in the night the
Indians fell asleep. One Of them getting
cold, picked up John and put him on the
outside: The boys managed TO get their
hands loose, and Henry thought OF Moth
Ing but running oil. John said, I'VE
must kill these Indians before we Co."
John took one OF the rifles Of the lndi'
ans and placed It on log with the muEzle
close to the head Of one Of them. He
then cooked the gun and placed his little
brother ut the breach, with instructions
to pull the trigger as soon as he should
strike the other Indian. he then took
one OF the Indians tomahawks and stand
Ing astrile OF the other Indian struck
MIN with it. The blow fell on the back
Of the neck and was notfatal. The In
dian attempted to rise, but the little fellow
repeated his blows so rapidly on the
skull that as he expressed it, "the Indian
laid still and began to CULVER" The In.
dian whom the other boy shot received
the shot in his lower jaw, carrying. of q
greater portion Of It. He was found
alive by scouting party few days
after, in a concealed place. They did
not disturb him. Not long after they
found his gun and the remains OF his
body. The boys were highly compli.
mented by the Indians after peace was
made for their bravery, and told the set.
tiers that "they ought to make Kings OF
these boys" :,
Weddiugs,in those days were conducted
different from what they are now. Little
or no distinction Of rank or fortune.
The first impressions Of love generally
resulted in marriage. The wedding en-.
gagged the entire neighborhood; old and
young shared alike in the festivities.
The marriage ceremony usually took
place before dinner.
Stores, tailors, mantua makers, black
smiths and saddlers were few in number,
distance Of one hundred miles having
often to DO travelled before any Of these
conyeniences could be obtained. The
men were dressed in shavepacks, moe.
casins, leather breeches, leggins, linsey
shirts, all home made. The ladies wore
Iinsey, coarse shoes, &C.. &c. The horses
were caparisoned with old remnants OF
brides, saddles or halters, with bag or
blanket thrown over them. A rope or
string was often used az u girth. Thus
equipped the groom and friends marched
10 the home OF the bride. The march by
double file was often interrupted by the
narrow paths, and sometimes increased
difficulties presented themselves through
the i'll or good will OF neighbors by
telling trees or tying grape vines across
the way. After whisky began to be made
in the country, a bottle was filled at the
house Of the bride, and when the groom
and his friends were about mile from
tho place Of destination two men would
single out TO run Tor The bottle. The
worst route was chosen MS better op.
portunity OF displaying intrepidity and
horsemanship. The start was announced
by yell. There was no use for judges,
for the first one at the door was given the
prize. The victor would then go to meet
the company. Reaching the head Of the
troop the bottle was first handed to the
groom, afterwards 10 his attendants,
when the owner would take charge of it
and Join the party.
The dinner consisted Of beef, pork,
fowls, venison and bear meat roasted and
boiled with plenty Of cabbage and pota.
toes. The greatest hilarity prevailed
during the dinner. The table was mostly
large slab dressed with the axe. Pewter
plates and wooden bowls served as table
ware.
Dancing commenced after dinner and
generally lasted until the next morning.
II any relations or neighbors were not In
yited to the wedding they sometimes took
offence and sought revenge by cutting of
the names, foretopS and tails OF the hor,-
SEES OF the wedding company.
While the accounts'giyen by DR.. bod
bridge may in many instances differ
somewhat from other historians We
may be safe in inierring that they are In
the main correct. Some events given by
him in his work occurred while he was
yet boy, and others after he arrived at
maturity. =. e. B. G.
Wels6rg, ". Ia, July 1876.