Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-12-20
A HEROINE.

In the year 1910 small palisade fort
was erected upon the site now occupied
by the city of Wheeling. The fort was
surrounded by the cabins of the settlers
and was named in honor of the great
Virginia orator and patriot, Patrick
Henry.
On the morning Of the 1st Of Sep
tember, 1777, a scout appeared at the
fort, announcing the near approach of
the dreaded Simon Girty with a large
band of savages. Having the night be-
fore received an intimation of danger
from an Indian raid, the families Of
tho settlers had removed to the fort.
The fort at this time was but lightly
garrisoned, portion of its forces hav-
ing been sent to re-enforce posts that
were more exposed, they being in no
apprehension of danger from British or
Indian foes. Tt was in charge of Colo
mel Sheppard
The dwelling Of Colonel Ebenezer
Zane stood about go yards distant from
the palisade In this building were stor-
ed supplies of various kinds, which it
was very desirable to preserve, and, the
house occupying a favorable position to
aid in resisting the attack, twas decid-
ed to mako the defense from both points.
In the dwelling, when the attack was
made, there were but eight persons,
four men and four women, including
the negro cook and his wife.
The first attack was made upon rec
onnoitering party under the command
of Captain Mason The Indians were
anbushed a short distance from the fort
and fell upon the little band without
moments warning. More than one-h half
of them perished. Captain Ogle, with
10 men, hurried out to the assistance of
Mason, and only four of his me0 ever
returned. The others were ruthEessly
butchered by bullet and tomahawE. The
garrison was now reduced to mere
handful of determined defenders, most
ly young men. They numbered about
IL, with the brave Colonel Sheppard
and Ebenezer and Silas Zane at theiY
head.
The women and children were lru2-
died together inside the uickcts, over
whelmed with grief and fear, for all
hope for the safety Of the fort now SEEM
ed lost. At this oritical nlament Simon
Girty appeared with white flag and
demanded the unconditional surrender
of the fort Although the besiegers CUT
numbered the besieged thirtyfoId, the
Indians numbering over 800, the belea-
guered garrison resolved to resist, for
they well knew what their fato woUld
be if they fell into the hands Of the
treacherous flend, Girty. Colonel Shep-
pard promptly told the, scoundrel that
the fort would never be surrendered to
him nor to any other man while there
was person left to defend it.
Girty became enraged and ordered an
attack. "Girty " said thshistorian LOSS
ing, twas the offspring of crime. His
father was settler in Pennsylvania,
an outlaw and sot and his mother
was disgrace to her SEX" Simon,
with his two brothers, when youths,
were captured by the Indians. His
brother James was adopted by the Del
awares and became tho fiereest savage
of the tribe Simon was adopted by the
Senecas, became a great hunter and
finally a powerful leader among the In
dians, exercising his, innate wiokedness
to the fullest extent and dRelariDg eter-
nal enmity toward his OWN race. Foe
many years the name Of Simon Girty
was o. terror to the, settlers of the north
west. He was as bloodthirsty anGt unre-
lenting as tiger, excelling the savages
in the cruelty he inflicted upon those
who fell into his clutches. Malo and
female. old age and helpless infancy,
suffered alike.
The besiegers' for several hours kept
up an Intellectual fire against the for'
and dwelling from tho cabins in which
they were sheltered. Whenever red
skin showed himself. the never failing
rifle of the sharpshooter was sure II
bring him down. Several times the In
dians advanced upon the gate of tn
palisade, hoping to be- able to force it
hut each time We're compelled to retrea
under a CALLING fire. The few men il
the fort were enabled to keep up con
slant firing, for the women nodded tn
bullets and loaded the guns as fast a
they could be used, Night coming OH
the firing ceased. Quietness now reigr
ed, and the darkness became intenSs
About midnight the attention OF tn
negro cook, Sam, was attracted hF
small stream of light that found Ii
way through a crevice in the kitehe
, wall from the outside. An investigatio
revealed an Indian with lighted bran
endeavoring to set fire to the kitchen
Sam, watching his chance, sent bullt
through his red hide.
EARLY tho following morning the Il
dians renewed the attack with muc
: vigor.A Having procured hollow map
! log, they converted it into q cannon
|. binding it around soliClly with chali
obtained from the houses of the Sc
tiers. After placing a heavy charge
powder in it and filling it to tho mu
n zle with cannon balls, captured the ds
before from fatboat that was passil
down the river from Pittsburg, in gre
triumph they conveyed it to within
i. or 70 yards of the fort and pointed it
the gate, Then, with shouts Of exult