The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1886-01-16

tFrom paper by Joseph Morelano, Esq, IN the
forthcoming Centennial History Published in ad-'
vance by permission Of the author.l
Continued.
EXPLOITS OF THE MoRGANs.
The people of Morgantown take
especial pride in rehearsing the tales
of Indian warfare, wherein the Nor
gans figured. We stated that David
Morgan, leaving his brother, lack
well, in possession of the land where
Morgantown now stands, went furth-
err up the Monongahela river, and
during these stirring times he seems
to have been located near Pricketts
fort, in what is now Marion county.
Border Warfare states that "the
settlement on Hackers creek was
entirely broken up in the spring of
l779." and that ''in the neighbor-
hood of Prickett's fort, the inhab-
itants were early alarmed by circum-
stances which induced a belief that
the Indians were near, and they ac-
cordingly entered that garrison.
Among those who were at this time
in the fort was David Morgan, then
upwards of sixty years of age. He
had already become famous as an
Indian fighter, but at this time
transpired his most noted achiev-
ment, which the author of Border
Warfare relates in these words:
early in April, l779, being him
self unwell, he sent his children
Stephen, youth of sixteen, and
Sarah, girl of fourteenth feed the
cattle, at his farm, about mile off
The children, thinking to remain all
day and spend the time in preparing
ground for water melons, unknown
to their father, took with them some
bread and meat. Having fed the
stock, Stephen set himself to work,
and while he was engaged in grub
bling, his sister would remove the
brush, and otherwise aid him in the
labor of clearing the ground; occa-
sionally going to the house to wet
some linen which she had spread
out to bleach.
morgan, after the children had
been gone some time, betook himself
to bed, and soon falling asleep
dreamed that he saw Stephen and
Sarah walking about the fort yard
scalped.
"Aroused from slumber by the
narrowing spectacle presented to the
sleeping view, he enquired if the
children had returned, and upon
learning that they had not, he set
out to see what detained them, TAX
ing with him his gun. AS he APP
preached the house still impressed
with the horrible fear that he should
find his dream realized, he assembled
an eminence, from which he could
Distinctly see over his plantation
and deserving from thence the OBJ
iect of his anxious solicitude, he
proceeded directly to them, and
seated himself on an old log, near al
hand. He had been here but few
minutes, before he saw two Indians
come out from the house and make
towards the children. Fearing tC
alarm them too much, and thus de
prive them of the power of exertins
themselves ably to make an escape
he apprized them in careless man
ner of their danger, and told then
to run towards the fort-himsel
still maintaining his seat on the log
The Indians then raised n hideous
yell and ran in pursuit; but the ole
gentleman showing himself at thai
instant. caused them to forbear tn,
chase, and shelter themselves be
hind trees. He then endeavored tt
effect an escape, by flight, and thu
Indians followed after him. Ag'
and consequent infrmity, rendered
him unable, long, to continue out o
their reach; and aware that they
were gaining considerable on him
he wheeled to shoot. Both instantly
sprang behind trees, and Morgan
seeking shelter in the same manner
got behind sugar, which was 81
small as to leave part of his bod,
exposed. Looking around, he saw I
large oak, about twenty yards farthe
and he made to it. Just as he reach
ed it, the foremost Indian sough
security behind the sugar sapling
which he had found insufficient 70
his protection. The Indian sensibl,
that it would not shelter him threw
himself down by the side of 10,
at the root of the sapling. But thi
did not afford him sufficient cover
and Morgan, seeing him exposed t.
shot fired at him. The ball tool
effect, and the savage rolling over Oh
his back, stabbed himself twice il
the heart.
Having thus succeeded in killing
one of his pursuers, Morgan agail
took to flight, and the remining In
dian after him. 1t was now tina
trees could afford him no security
His gun was unloaded, and his pur
surer could approach him safely
The unequal race was continue,
about sixty yards, when looking
over his shoulder, he saw the savog
within few PAGES of him, and wit
his gun raised. Morgan sprang t
; one side, and the ball whizzed harm
lessly by him. The odds were no,
! not great, and both advanced to close
at,sensible of the prize for whic
they had to contend, and each dc
termined to deal death to his ad
versary.
Morgan aimed blow with hi
gun, but the Indian hurled u toma