Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1881-02-23
ELIZABETH ZANE.
Ho,o a Young Girl Checkmated Simon
Girty.

The wickedest white man of the
early period Of Ohio history was Simon
Girty, who sided with the British in
the war of the Revolution, and CON-
manded the Indian allies which were in
duced to fight against the Colonists.
Girty was as cruel as the worst red
savage, and there are many traditions
in the Scioto and Sandusky Valley Of
his raids and outrages A beautiful
picture still shows Elizabeth Zane in
the act of checkmating Girty at the
seige of Fort Henry, which was sit
uated on the Ohio river, near Wheeling
In l777 the fort, which was garrisoned
by forty-two men, was suddenly attack
ed by Girty with force of five hundred
Indians. He succeeded IN ambuscading
and slaughtering thirty oathe garrison,
leaving only twelve to defend the fort.
Among the women and children was
young Elizabeth Zane, beautiful girl
Of seventeen The twelve soldiers,
commanded by Colonel Shepherd, were
good marksmen, and knowing that
surrender meant death for their wives
and children as well as for themselves,
they resolved to fight to the last. But
alas bravery availed them little, for
it was not long before the small stock
of powder in the fort was almost ex-
hausted, and only few charges re-
mained TO each man. In despair the
Colonel called his brave little band to-
gether, and told them that at a house
some sixty yards outside of the fort
which their enemies had not yet dared
to approach, there was a keg of gun
powder. Whoever should try to bring
it into the fort would be in peril of his
life from the Indians. He had not the
heart to order any man to such task,
but the powder was their only hope,
aud therefore it was his duty to ask il
any one Of them was brave enough to
volunteer the undertaking. Instantly
three or four young men avowed them
selves ready, but only one man could
be spared And while they were gen.
erously disputing among themselves for
the perilous errand, Elizabeth Zane APP
preached the Colonel and begged that
she might be allowed to go for the
powder Her request was promptly
refused, but she persisted earnestly,
even against the remonstrances and en-
treaties of her parents and friends. In
vain they pleaded and reasoned with
her, urging more than once that n young
man would be more likely to succeed
through his power Of running swiftly
{ l.. Al o. Il
but that if she failed her loss would not
be felt, while not single man could DO
spared from the little garrison. FL
nally it was agreed that she should
make the first trial When all was
ready the gate opened and Elizabeth
walked rapidly across, the open space
toward the house where the powder
was stored. Those inside the fort
could plainly see that the eyes Of the
Indians were upon her, but either from
curiosity or mercy they allowed her to
pass safely and To enter the house. Her
friends drew breath of relief, and
watching even more anyiously for her
reappearancc, saw her come out soon
bearing the powder in table cloth tied
around her waist. BY this time the
Indians suspeccd her burden, and in a
moment more, as she was Fastening
toward the fort, they sent after her
shower of bullets and arrows They
ALL whistlcd by her harmless, and with
wild, startled eye, but undaunted heart,
she sped on with treasure through the
deadly missiles, until at last she bore IL
in triumph inside the gate. BY the
aid of the powder aud the enthusiastic
courage which Elizabeth's = self-sacrilice
inspired the little garrison was enabled
to hold out until relief came to them
And 40 this noble act of young girl
saved the lives Of all within the fort,
and vanquishcd its five hundred dusky
assailants We have no account Of the
subsequent career of the heroine. The
family became well known in South
eastern Ohio, aud gave their names to
the beautiful city Of GAINESVILLE We
shall be glad To- hear, on behalf OF our
readers, from some of our friends in
that section who can tell us more about
Elizabeth Zane.