Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-01-14
A HEROINE.

In the year 177G 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.
TENDER, 1777, scout appeared at the
fort, announcing the near approach Of
the dreaded Simon Girty with large
band of savages. Having the night be-
fore received all intimation Of danger
from all Indian raid, the families of
the settlers had removed to the fort
The fort at this time was but lightly
garrisoned, portion Of it's forces hay
ing been sent to re-enforce posts that
were moro exposed, they being in no
apprehension Of danger from British or
Indian foes. 1t was in charge Of Colo
mel Sheppard.
The dwelling of Colonel Ebenezer
Zano stood about 60 yards distant from
the palisade. III this building were stor-
ed supplies Of various kinds, which it
was very desirable to preserve, and, the
house occupying favorable position to
aid in resisting the attack, it was decid-
ed to make 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.
Tho first attack was made upon rec
onnoitering party under the command
of Captain Mason. The Indians were
ambushed short distance from the fort
and fell upon the little band without a
moments warning. More than one-half
Of them persisted. Captain Ogle with
10 men, hurried cut to the assistance Of
Mason, and only four of his men ever
returned. Tho others were ruthlessly
butchered by bullet and tomahawk. 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 their
head.
The women and children were hud-
died together inside the pickets, over
whelmed with grief and fear, for all
hope for the safety Of the fort now SEEM
ed lost. At this critical moment Simon
Girty appeared with a white flag and
demanded the unconditional surrender
Of the fort. Although the besiegers out
numbered the besieged thirtyfold, the
Indians numbering over 800, the belea-
guered garrison resolved to resist, for
they we'll knew what their fate would
be if they fell into the hands Of the
treacherous fiend, 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 the historian Loss
ing, twas the offspring Of crime. His
father was a settler in Pennsylvania,
All outlaw and a sot, and his mother
was a disgrace to her SEX" Simon,
with his two brothers, whom youths,
were captured by the Indians. His
brother James was adopted by the Del
awares and became the fiercest savage
of the tribe. Simon was adopted by the
| Senecas became great hunter and
finally powerful leader among the In
dams, exercising his innate wiokedness
to the fullest extent and declaring eter-
nal enmity toward his own race. For
many years the name of Simon Girty
was terror to the settlers of the north
west. He was as bloodthirsty and unre-
lenting as tiger, excelling the savages
in the cruelty he inflicted upon those
who fell into his clutches. Male and
female, old ago and helpless infancy,
suffered alike.
The besiegers for several hours kept
up all Intellectual fire against the fort
and dwelling from the cabins IN which
they were sheltered. Whenever red
skin showed himself, the never failing
rifle of the sharpshooter was sure to
bring him down. Several times the In.
| dams advanced upon the gate Of the
palisade, hoping to be able to force it,
but each time were compelled to retreat
under CALLING fire. The few men in
the fort were enabled to keep up con.
slant firing, for the women nodded the
bullets and loaded the guns as fast as
they could be used Night coming on,
the firing ceased. Quietness now reign
ed, and the darkness became intense.
About midnight the attention Of tie
negro cook, Sam, was attracted by a
small stream of light that found its
way through crevice in the kitchen
wall from the outside. An investigation
revealed an Indian with lighted brand
endeavoring to set fire to the kitchen.
Sam, watching his chance, sent bullet
through his red hide.
Early the following morning the In.
dians renewed the attack with much
| vigor. Having procured hollow maple
log, they converted it into cannon,
binding 1t around solidly with chains
obtained from the houses of the aet-
tiers. After placing heavy charge Of
powder in it. and filling it to the mug
zle with cannon balls, captured the day
before from q fatboat that was passing
down the river from Pittsburg, in great
triumph they conveyed it to within go
or 70 yards Of the fort and pointed it at
the gate. Then, with shouts Of exulta-
tion, which meant, We've got you
now" they touched 1t off. To their ut.
ter amazement and CONSERVATION, the
log burst into thousand fragments,
flying in every direction, killing and
wounding several Of their own number.
During all this time the riflenen In
the fort and dwelling were picking them
Oh At a rapid rate. and when the smoks