Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-10-14
Special to the Register.


/ Special to the Register.
Point Pleasant, W. Va, October 13.-
This morning, at O'clock, a splendid
monument of nati stone, to the men,
Ory Of the great Indian chief, Cornsaik,
who was murdered in the fort here over
hundred years ago, was unveiled in the
Court House park.
The dedication speech was mode by
Hon. Charles Z. HOgg, in beautiful,
! eloquent and Impressive language, in
which he paid a glowing tribute 10 the
old warrior.
/ The monument was conceived by Hon.
! LoC T. Pilchard, CapJ. John r. Selbee
anu f. b. Tippett. The plan was sub
mitted to Col Munford, of Lock II, who
agreed to furnish the stone, and his
workmen built the monument, and MS
engineer, Col S. H. Reynolds, superin-
tended its erection.
Miss Grace Mun.Ord pulled the rope
! that drew aside The veil, when the nun
dreds of people present sent up cheer
after checl.
Since the removal, in 1871, Of the re-
mains OF tho gallant warrior from
their first resting place of in,ermenj,
near the scene of his tragic death, to
their present location in the Court House
yard enclosure, there has been nothing
| whatever done TO perpetuatG his MEM
ory, and the grave has usually been
completely hidden beneath q growth OF
! tangled weeds and grass, unnoticsd and
unmarked, except when some srang-
er's inquiring curiosity has caused Il 10
be pointed out
Cornstalk was the greatest Of a long
! line Of Shawnee chiefs and was given
his unique name at the consent OF his
entire tribe, who recognized in him their
! full strength and support. Tall, OF Won
Vderfu strength and endurance, COM
: manding IN figure and naughty in man
ner there was no warrior OF his day,
not even his able fri5nd and associate,
John Logan, the Ming0 chief OF almost
equal renown, commanded the venera-
ton and love of his followers so entire
ly.
Il was under the commend Of Corn.
stalk that ;he allied tribes Of the ono
country attacked the fort here on Oc.o-
ber 10. IVA. In the inclOsure were, be-
sides the regular garrison OF settlers,
eleven hundred VirginIans under COM
mand of General Andrew Lewis, who
had just arrived overland 16O miles, from
Fort Union, Va. The Indian forces
numbered considerably more than
thousand, and were led by their re-
spective chiefs under the general d-rec-
ton OF Corns,aik. John Logan, fired 10
I .,f, Itr q murder
of his sister and remaining brother but
short while before at Mingo Bottom,
above Wheeling, led the MinSoes as
sisted by ScOpathus. Red Hawk head
ed the Delawares; Chyawee the Wy3n-
nottes: while Ellinipsco, Shawnee, was
1t the head Of his party
A line of battle was strung out across
the angle of the point from the OHIO to
the Kanawha river, cutting eff entirely
all approach lor retreat from the fort,
and in this position the Indians fought
an entire day and the s0ldiery olten
charging out from the palisades and
temporarily scattering their persisten4
foes. In this fight COrnstalk displayed
wonderful ability as commander ana
animated his undisciplined followers 10
the point of rashness by his utter fear
! lessness. Although the Indians gave mp
! the struggle at the gathering OF night
II was a costly fight for the whites, VINO
lost 140 in killed and wounded. The IN
dian loss was Al killed. Following this
battle the Indians, at the advice OF Corn
stalk sued for peace. and a treaty was
soon ratified, but not before The galIanJ
old warrior had lost his life in the ei-
fort.
In 1777 the British were melting the
Indians along the border settlements 10
further pillage, and against their ad-
yances Corns,alk placed his influence.
During this period OF unrest Cornsialk
and Red Hawk, accompanied by cnieI
of lesser ability. visited the garrison
here. and the officer in charge. thinking
IN nrotect his charge from attack by the
Indians. Immediately placed the trio IN
der guard. holding them as hostag uh-
t1 the matter should reacn definite
settlement.
Thev were held for several months
without communication with their ma
lions and finally Corns,alk's son arrived
at tho fort IN quest of his father. When
he reached the opposite side OF the river
he ballooed to attract the attention OF the
soldiers at the fort. At The time Corn
stalk was outlining on the floor OF me
fort store-house a plan OF the country
through Southern Ohio.
Recognizing his sons voice, he went
ortside and answered him, the young
man later crossing and meeting his
father with great tenderness and ahec-
tion. The son was also placed unde,
guard The following day a party OF
9oung men went across the kana"la
deer hunting. and while returning were
embusbed by the Indians and one Oh mo
marty killed. The natural inference
was that these indians we're a parry
that had accompanied Co-ns.aiks son
the previous day. .--s
Naddened by the idea Of supposed
-rsacberv. the soldiers decided, al'er d
short consultation, to kill The hostages.
and with such intention repaired 10 me
garrison. The young Indian yeaeheIl- i
" denied having been accompaAi5I ~
anv marty. but to 10 purpose, ana 40
WAS forced along toward toe lodge o., Ms
fotber and Red Hawk. The VIE OF an
internre-er had told Corns,alk Of lAs
situation. and as the soldiers appTo4clg,l
ba advanced to meet them rear -e1s.y
and onen-banded. Without warning q
onestio1 ne as rhey met, The young lnd.eh
49, grC1lbd nnsbed forward 10 his fathers s!ce
| C,,tnred ou sixth PaSA