Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-02-07
THE STORY OF ELIZABETH ZANE.

THE STORY OF ELIZABETH ZANE.
In the year l776 small palisade
fort was erected upon the site now
occupied by the city of Wheeling.
The fort was surrounded by the cab
ins of the settlers and was named in
honor of the great Virginia orator and
patriot, Patrick Henry.
On the morning Of the lst of Sep
tember, l777, a scout appeared at the
fort, announcing the near approach
of the dreaded Simon Girty with a
large band of savages. Having the
night before received an intimation of
danger from an Indian raid, the faml-
lies of the settlers had removed to the
fort.
The fort at this time was but light
ly garrisoned, a portion of its forces
having been sent to re-enforce posts
that were more exposed, they being in
no apprehension of danger from British
or Indian foes. 1t was in charge Of
Colonel Sheppard.
The dwelling of Colonel Ebenezer
Zane stood about 60 yards distant
from the paisade. In this building
were stored supplies of various kinds,
which it was very desirable to pre-
serve, and, the house occupying IA
vorable position to aid in resisting the
attack, it was decided to make the de-
fense from both points. In the dwell
ing, when the attack was made, there
were but eight persons, four men and
women, including the negro cook and
his wife.
The first attack was made upon
reconnoitering party under the COM
mand of Captain Mason. The Indians
were ambushed short distance from
the fort and fell upon the little band
without moments warning. More
~
than one-half of them perished. Cap
tain Ogle, with twelve men, hurried out
to the assistance of Mason, and only four
of his men ever returned. The others
were ruthlessly butchered by bullets
and tomahawk. The garrison was
now reduced to mere handful OF de-
termined defenders, mostly young
men. They numbered about twelve,
with the brave Colonel Sheppard and
Ebenezer and Silas Zane at their head.
The women and children were hud-
died together inside the plckets over
whelmed with grief and fear, for all
hope for the safety of the fort now
seemed lost. At this critical moment
Simon Girty appeared with a white
flag and demanded the unconditional
surrender of the fort. Although the
besiegers outnumbered thirty-fold,
the Indians numbering over 300, the
beleaguered garrison resolved to re-
sist, for they well knew what their
fate would be if they fell into the
hands of the treacherous fiend, Glrty.
Colonel Sheppard promptly told the
scoundrel that the fort would never
be surrendered to him nor to any 9TH
er man while there was person left
to defend it.
Girty became enraged and ordered
an attack. "Girty," said the historian
LOSING, "was the offspring of crime.
His father was a settler in Pennsyl-
vania, an outlaw and sot, and his
mother was a disgrace to her sex. y
Simon, with his two brothers, when
youths, were captured by the Indians
His brother James was adopted by
the Delawares and became the fiercest
savage of the tribe. Simon was adopt
ed by the Seneeas, became a great
hunter and finally powerful leader
among the Indians, exercising his In
nate wickedness to the fullest extent
and declaring eternal enmity toward
his own race. For many years the
name of Simon Girty was a terror to
the settlers of the northwest. He was
as bloodthirsty and unrelenting as a
tiger, excelling the savages In the
cruelty he inflicted upon those who
fell into his clutches. Male and fe-
male, old, age and helpless infancy,
suffered alike.
The besiegers for several hours kept
up an Intellectual fire against the fort
and dwelling from the cabins in which
they were sheltered. Whenever a
redskin showed himself the never-fail-
ing rife of the sharpshooter was sure
to bring him down. Several times
the Indians advanced yPon the gate
of the palisade, hoping to be able to
force it, but each time were compelled
to retreat under a CALLING fire. The
few men in the fort were enabled te
keen mn a constant firing. for the wo-