The National tribune., 1895-07-25
WHERE SIMON
GIRTY HID.
Finding Of the Retreat of the Ohio
Renegade.


pioneers who had pushed their way into the
forests of northern Ohio were compelled to
carry their muskets into the fields to protect
themselves from the attacks of saysges, Land
of blood thirsty Indians from the Delaware,
Seneca and Ottawa tribes who were led by 81
mon Girty, infested the Manmee Valley ana
for wears terrified the settlers 10y their roDDer-
les and murdero9s assaults wlthou6 revealing
their rendezvous.
MANY times Girty's band was followed to the
banks of the Maumee River, u miles below
Defiance but here all trace of them was lost
They disappeared as suddenly and mysterious
ly as though swallowed up by the river.
Ii fBaly became general belief among the
settlers that this band had hiding place on an
island ia the river near the place where they
had SO frequently baffled their pursuers and
this island was called "Girty's. Island" 1t has
retained the name from that time
The island is about 300 yards long by 100
wide and is covered by a dense forest. On the
western end the ground is high and slopes
gradually to the waters edge at the east.
There is an Indian legend which says that at
one time Girty captured white girl from one
of the numerous settlements along tue river
and carried her off to this island, which he had
fortified with a cannon procured Wniie he was
IN the employ OF the Government as an Indian
Agent.
The legend also says that the settlers soon
after discovered the hiding place OF the out
laws and after increasing their numbers suth.
ciently, gave Girty battle on the island and
forced him to run the cannon of the point into
the river to prevent its capture.
MANY of the band were killed in this engage
ment but nothing was ever found OF Girty,
the girl prisoner or any OF the survivors OF the
band. who disappeared just as it became evil
dent that the battle was going against them.
They had no means of escape from the island.
1t is altogether probable that if Grty's Is
land had always remained the property of the
State there would never have been anything
known about this strange cavern; but two
years ago State Canal Commissioner Hsrtnell
city and sold Girty's Island, with two smaller
islands, to w. II. Herman.
These islands are at of the most pictur-
esoue bends of the Msumee River, and re-
Gently Mr.. Herman decided to build a Summer
residence on the largest one. Last week he set
q number of men to work to make an excaya-
tion for cellar. The men had almost COM
pleted their work when the ground on which
they were standing gave way, aud they were
preciptated into cavern some 20 feet deep
aud about 80 feet at its greatest length. James
Ferguson, one of the laborers, received frac-
tured arm from his fall, but The Others escaped
uniniured.
AS soon as the men had recovered from their
srhon shment they sat about to explore. They
found the walls of the room were lined with
sder logs. which were still in fair state of
reservation.
In one corner of the room they found l9 skele-
tons which, from the contour Of the skulls, are
said to be Indians with several Of the white
race. Besides these bones, which were badly
decayed. they found arrowheads. spearheads,
tomshawks. and the remains of dozen or more
muskets. There were also various pieces of
furniture. broken spinning wheel, and many
pieces of broken eartbenwsre.
Beneath pile of broken crockery they found
q small chest or Golfer, which had been rudey
bewn out of block OF solid oak. A SLAB Of the
same material was fastened Oh this box with
flint arrowheads. In this box they found four
Spanish dOuboOps some so pleces OF English
money OF various denominations, six silver
spurs, three silver mounted pistols aud trinkeis
Of little value
Girty had a great fear of falling into the
hands Of the Americans. and dreading torture
equal 10 that which he had inflicted on many a
defenseless white man. had undoubtedly pro-
vioed this cavern to afford him q refuge from
what he knew would be quick death if ne was
ever captured. His career checkered. In
the years that marked the close of the Revolu-
tiouary war and for 20 years following when
this was but the borderland between civiliza-
tion and the home of the savage, Girty's name
was one Of terror in all that country now called
Ohio.
From Fort Pitt TO Fort Washington. as Gin
cinnati was then called and from the Rapids of
the Naumee 20 Fort Henry, on the site of
Wheeling. W. Va. Girty was feared as the evil
one, and be lived up to his evil reputation with
regularity. Three places. many miles apart,
have borne bis name. Girty's Run is pretty
little stream in western Pennsylvania; Girty's
Town marks the site Of the bustling little city
Of ST. Mary's. o., and Girty's Island. above
mentioned. lies i'm the Maumee River about II
miles below Fort Defiance.
This island comprises some 40 acres and up
70 20 years ago there stood upon its left bank
the ruins of a log house that is supposed 10
have been the home of Girty and the rendez-
vOus for his band OF followers 10th white aBa
red. Simon Girty OF four brothers lie
was The son Of drunken father, who was a ma
tive OF Ireland. Girty was born in north western
Peunsy lvapis. His father died In q drunken
ft, and the boys were left to shift for them
selves
At one time Simon conducted Government
trading post in northern Ohio George was
adopted by the Delaware Indians, and became
savage. James was taken into the teepees
OF the Shswnees. aud earned undying deiegta-
fion as tortureT of delenseiess women
although he was liked by such British officers
As Gen. Proctor aud bis infamous Capt. Elliott
Simon Girty allied himself with tie Scnecas,
and under their cruel tatesge becam1 the un-
relenting scourge OF the whites throughout Ohio
and Kentucky, inyentiRg and practicing re-
hnements OF torture that were even more hor-
rible than any used by the savages. Of the
fourth son, Thomas, history makes no men,
tion.
Simon Girty was known TO the Indians as
katepacomen, and in addition 10 the Seneca
tongue spoke The dialects Of the Delawares and
Ottawa. and the Spanish language When Col
Henry Bouquet led the eKped ition that went to
punish the Indians Of OHIO at the close Of Pom
tisc's war in I7o4, Girty was one OF the
hostages that were delivered 10 him. Girty
escaped, but Bouquet announced that all cap.
tives both willing aud unwilling should be
given up and Girty accom- panied him aud made
his home, for time, in the settlement at Fort
Du Quesne
he was in Virginia in Lord Dunsmore's
war, and together with Simon Kenton acted as
Tpy. Afterwsrd, when Kenton was about TO
be burnt 10 death az Wspatomika, near what
is now the city Of Zsnesyilie in Logan County,
be delayed the execution aud assisted Kenton
to freedom. This so far as is known is the
only clean spot on his record.
Girty was frequently a guest at the homo OF
Col Crawford, whom he subsequently, per-
mitted TO be tortured aud killed Ii is said
that he aspired 10 the hand OF Crawfords { daugh-
Ter, but this is a surmise
Girty was made an officer of militia and
wanted TO enter the Regular Army with a COM
mission. This was denied him, and in a rage
be deserted in 177S with Elliott Mckee and IS
enlisted men, all OF whom subsequently showed
brutality ia their dealings with the Americans
who fell into their hands
The party endeavored 10 persuade the Della
to ~, f.,s- -