The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-07-26

BETTY ZANE.
From the New York Ledger.l

BETTY ZANE. ~
From the New York Ledger.l
poetIcal sketch Of Wheeling one hundred yea
o, by Thomas Dunn English,
Women are tlmld, cover and shrink
AT tshow Of danger, some folks think
But tmen there are who for their lives
Dare not so far asperse their wives.
We let them pAss--so much ls clear, rnN .
Though little dangers they may fear,
When greater dangers men environ,
And women show front Of IRON
And, gentle IN their manner, they
Do bold things In quiet way,
And so our wondering praise obtain,
As on time did Betty Zane,
A century since, out in the West,
A block house was by Glrty pressed
Girly, the renegade, the dread
fan that border. fercely led
Five hundred Wyandots, TO gain
Plunder, and scalp.locks from the slain;
And in this hold-Fort Henry, then,
But Wheeling now--twelve boys and men
Guarded with watchful guard and care,
Women and prattling children there,
Against their rude and savage foes,
And Betty Zane was one Of those.
There had been forty'two at first
When Girty on the border BURST
But most Of these who meant to lay
And keep the WyandOts at bay, .
Outside by savage wiles. were lured,
And ball and tomahawk endured,
Til few were left the place to hold,
And some were boys and some were old
But all could use the rifle well,
And vainly from the Indians fell
On puncheon root and timber wall
The ftful showers of leaden ball,
But Retty's brothers and her sire
Were with her In this ring of fire,
And she was ready, in her way,
To aid their labor day by day,
In all quiet maiden might,
TO mould the bullets for the fight,
And, quick 10 note and 80 report,
Watch every act outside the fort,
Or, peerlng from the loopholes, see
Each phase of savage strategy;
These were her task, and thus the maid
The toll worn garrison could aid,
Still drearily the fight went on
Until week had nearly gone,
When 1t was told-a whisper first,
And then In loud alarm 1t burst
Their powder scarce was growing; they
Knew where keg unopened lay
Outside the fort at Zane'E-what noW2
Their leader stood with anxious brow.
It must be had at any cost
Or toll and fort and lives were lost;
Some one must do that work Of fear
What man Of men would Yolunteer.2
Two offered, and 30 earnest they,
Neither his purpose would give away
And Shepherd, who commanded, dare
Not pick or choose between the pair.
But ere they settled on the one
BY whom the errand should be DONE
Young Betty interposed and said;
"Let me essay the task again,
Small matter twere If Betty Zane,
A useless woman, should be slain;
But death If dealt to one Of those,
Gives too much vantage to our foes"
Her father smiled with pleasure grim,
Her pluck gave painful pride to him;
And while her brothers clamored "noW
He uttered Boys, let Betty gol
She'll do 1t at less risk than you.
And keep her steady in your view,
And be your rides shields for her;
Ifyonder foe make step or stir,
Pick off each wretch who draws bead,
And so you'll serve her In hec need.
Now l recover from surprise,
think our Betty's purpose wise"
The gate then opened; on she sped
The foe astonished gazed, 'ts said,
And wondered at her purpose, till
She gained that log hut by the hill;
But when, in apron wrapped, the cask
She backward bore, to close her task,
The foeman saw her aim at last,
And poured their fire upon her fast.
Bullet on bullet near her fell,
While rang the Indians angry yell;
But safely through the whirring rain,
Powder In arms, came Betty Zane.
They filled their horns, both boys and me
And so began the fight again.
Glrty who there so long had stayed,
BY this new feat of feet dismayed,
Fired houses round and cattle slew,
And moved away-the fray was through
But when the story round was told,
How they maintained the leagured hold
1t was agreed, though fame was due
To all who in that fight, were true,
The highest need Of praise, twas plain
Fell to the share Of Betty Zane.
A Ahundred years have passed since then
The savage never came again;
% Girty Is dead alike are dead
Those who assailed, and those bestead
Upon those half cleared, rolling lands,
A crowded city proudly stands;
But of the many who reside
BY green Ohios rushing tide,
Not one has lineage prouder than
(Be he poor or rich) the man
Who boasts that in his spotless strain
Mingles the blood oil Betty Zane