The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1882-09-23
A CENTENNIAL SKETCH.
City of Wheeling One Hum
dred Years Ago.
BY Ex-JUpGE G. L. cRANMER.

BY EX-JUDGE G. L. CRANMER.
From Advance Sheets of the School Journal
Originally called Fort Fincastle in
honor of Lord Denmore, who at the
time of its erection was. Governor of
the colony; in the year 1776 its name
was changed to Fort Henry in honor
of Patrick Henry, the first Governor
of the Commonwealth. 1t was erect
ed in the year 1774, the immediate
cause of its erection being found in
the fact that an apprehended attack
from the savages during the year
was anticipated, and place of de-
Tense for the protection of the infant
settlement, of which they were desti
tute. was demanded. 1t was planned
by Gen. George Rogers Clark, Com
mandant of the Western Military
Department, and was built by the
settlers.
In shape it was parallelogram,
being about three hundred and fifty
six feet in length and about one hun.
dred and fifty feet in width, and was
surrounded by pickets about twelve
feet high, with bastions at each cor
ner. Inside of the stockade cabins
were erected for the shelter of such
as sought its protection, a magazine
for military stores. block house,
the second story of which projected
over the lower, filled with port holes,
through which the trusty rife of the
pioneer sent its death dealing missile.
On the top Of the block house was a
mounted swivel, FOUNDER,
which did effective work in an emer-
genry. Wells were also sunk in the
Enclosure, so that a supply of water
was secured at all times.
To the south cast, and about fifty
yards distant from the fort, stood the
residence of Col. Ebenezer Zane-a
cabin built of rough-hewn logs, with
kitchen or out-building in the rear,
which also had attached to it 4 mag
azine for military stores.
This house served as an outpost
during the last siege of the fort,
which occurred on the 18th day of
September, 1882, and contributed
greatly to the defeat of the Indians
and their British allies on that mem
orable occasion. There were two
regular sieges of the fort-the one
in the year 1777 and the other in the
year 1882, both of which were sue
cessfully repulscd. AT the last siege
the Indians were commanded by
James Girty and the British troops
by Captain Pratt. Many writer's
name Simon Girty as the one in
command on this occasion, but this
is a mistake, as at this time he was
with an Indian army which had in
yaded the territory of Kentucky, and
he was present with that force at its
attack on Bryapt's Station, which
occurred but short time prior to
the attack on Fort Henry.
James 0irty was even more vim
dictive and bloodthirsty than his
brother Simon Girty, but was not SO
conspicuous character as the latter.
There is reason to believe, however,
that many Of the atrocious deeds
attributed to Simon Girty, the reel
tai of which even at this late date
makes the blood run cold with hor-
ror, were perpetrated by James.
On the happening of the last siege
the settlers, on short and sudden no
tice, had barely time to escape to the
shelter of the fort, SO unexpected
was the appearance of the savages,
consequently their homes, together
with their furniture, were left exposed
to the rapacity and cupidity of their
assailants. 1t was towards evening
that the Indian force, with their allies
appeared, and from that time until
midnight repeated and furious as
saults were made by them o, the
inmates; which were as oftenre ed.
Awaiting the dawn Of da, 4e at
tacks were renewed, but WI As little
success as during the preceding night.
In the afternoon of the second day
the besieged finding their stock of
powder had almost given out it be-
came with them a serious question
as to how they were to obtain a sup
ply. There was plenty Of it in the
magazine at the house of Col. Zane,
but apparently for all practical pur-
poses it might have been hundred
miles distant. At this juncture ST.
las Zane, who was in command of
the fort, called attention to the criti-
cal state of affairs, and asked for
volunteers to undertake the perilous
feat Of going to Col. Zane's house
for the purpose of obtaining the
needed supply. Several young men
fleet of foot as well as bold and in
trepid offered their services, and
each clamored to have the preference
in an enterprise which, humanity
speaking, BODIED almost certain death.
At this crisis young lady, seven
teen wears Of age, who had been en-
gagged in moulding bullets and load
ing the guns of the men during the
siege, stepped forward and besought
her brother, Silas Zane, to permit her
to undertake the arduous task, ac-
companying her arguments with rep
reservations to the effect that she,
being woman, could be more easily
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