West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-03-03

or General Harmar and his rufiians. he
had friends all over the country. With
them he spent his time hunting, scouting.
running and wrestling. For some time
things went well. General Harmar re
moved 10 Fort Washington (CincinnAti),
and learning that Wetzel was in the coun-
try, he offered q large reward for hiS
arrest and delivery at Fort Washington.
Not one of the soldiers was willing 10
max the attempt. Some were too geuer-
Gus, aud some too cowardl7. Ii would
have been worth as much as their lives to
have openly attempted to take him from
he mids Of the K~entuckians. However,
some were influenced by other motives
than fear.
At hlysville and Washington Wetzel
made bis headquarters, and was there
when Harmsr issued his proclamation of
feriBg a reward for his arrest. Wetzel
Was a trusted friend ana f~avorite of al
most every man in Kentucky, and Il
would not be cafe for a small party to
attempt to drag him off.
While Harmar was at Fort Washington
pickering and powwowiDg with the In
dams, Wetzel attended a shooting match
at haysville. That evening after the
sport was over. he sat in a tavern Joking
with his friends. Lieutenant Lawler, of
the u. 5. A., was then passing down the
Ohio with a convoy of soldiers; and put
ting to shore and btrolling through the
town nc saw Wetzel at the tavern. Re
turning To his boats he brought up a
squad of soldiers, seized Wetzel and bur
ried him off to the boats, and shortly after
delivered him to Harmsr.
wETzRL PUT ON TRIAL FOR HIs LIPR.
The hardy scout was sgain loaded with
chains and thrown into prison. Harmar
considered his victim safe now, and made
preparations for his trial, the result Of
which he hesitated not to say would be
condemnation aud execution.
But he was getting into dangerously
deep water. Although he knew IL not, he
was really in more danger Of execution
than Wetzel. He had forgotten that the
better part Of vslor was discretion, par
ticulsrly when %trampling on the wishes of
the frontier men of Kentucky.
The news spread up and down the
wnoie country: Lewis Welzel was under
arrest, and WAS likely 10 hang for the
crime of shooting an IDdian ~ pretty
pass this" said they chang q man for
an Indian, when they are killing
some of our men every day I"
Petitions for Wetzel's pardon came in
from all parts of the country, aud signed
by all conditions of society. To these
paid no attention. When this
was known the bordermtn were more fu-
than ever, and affairs began to as-
a foreboding appearance.
Meanwhile the trial came on, and the
condemnation of the prisoner was grow
ing more certain, when q scout, who bad
been sent into Kentucky by Harmar To
note the drift of affairs there, came into
Fort Washington and informed the Gel
eraI that the whole country was rising in
and nothing but a speedy release of
Wetzel could save the garrison I-om mas
sacre.
Harmsr now saw that lie had zone too
far, and that something must be done TO
sppesse the wrath Of Tbs Kentuckians.
who would make short work, if driven to
extremes.
Judge Lyman was Informed of the cri'-
icAl state of affairs, and stepped in as a
mediator betw cen the parties. He issued
a writ of habeas corpus in the case. John
Claws9n and other bunleIs from the set
Elements went Werzel's security for his
good behavior, and he was set at liberty,
probably as much to the relief of Herman
as 10 himself.
He was carried like a victorious Roman
General back 10 Columbia by the triumph
ant populace, and was made a representa-
tive Of the fact that 'tue people always
conquer"
wEIzRL has MORE ADVENTURES.
Wetzel remained 10 Kentucky n short
time and then returned to Wheeling. Not
long after, a friend Of his from Dlnkard's
Creek invited him home wiih him.
The invitation, as q matter of course
with Weizel, was accepted. He set out
With the friend, a young nan, and they
leisurely proceeded through the woods,
hunting and enjoying themselves as they
went. Nothing Of note occurred during
the Journey, and they reached Dunkard's
Greek in safety. But, when they reached
the spot where had stood the house of the
young man, nothing was to be seen but q
heap Of ashes Indiana had been ct work.
Weizel carefully examined the premises,
and the trail by which the savsges had re-
treated, and found that the m~arsuding
party consisted Of four Indians, (or, a.
Tss afterwards ascertained. of three Iu-
dams and one renegade white man). 1t
was also observed thai they bad one pris-
oner. This was a young lady, the am-
snced Of Wetzel's friend. At this dis
covery nothing could rerl.ss the y0urx
man from immediate pursuit. lie would
listen TO no plans Of sending for more
force. He placed himself under the