Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-11-11
montana's Champion indian Slayer.

marked an old timer, who was in q
reminiscent mood yesterday. He
was large, wiry. athletic man, who
became an Indian hunter because In
dians had killed all his nearest kim
dred in their raids into the settlements
of West Virginia. He possessed
frame that it seemed impossible TO
tire, and he was considered the best
shot with rifle in all that country.
He killed Indians out of mere re-
venge. and he not only killed them
when he was on the warpath, but
whenever he could engage with them
He could load his rifle running, aud
therefore he was dangerous antago-
mist. He was one of the few men of
the West who could fire at the edge
of knife and cut the bullet in two
every time at a distance of ten yards.
He enjoyed hls prowess, and when
IN the settlements he was compan-
ionable man, but hunting Indians he
was morose and disagreeable, and
much preferred to be alone. Ii Is said
that he even killed Indian women aud
children, and it is well known that he
killed Indians who were ambassadors
to the whites on peaceful errands.
If he ever saw an Indian that he did
not kill, il has not been recorded. In
the upper Ohio River country his
name has been handed down from
father to son, and many exploits have
been told of him which never ap.
peared in print. There is a county
in West Virginia named after him,
and romances have been written
whose heroes have his character
Montana has a man now living
whose career has been something like
that of Wetzel He has not probably
killed as many Indians, but that has
not been his fault. He is said to have
slain at least forty redskins and h.
has not been particular what trlbc
they belonged to or where they Were.
He has taken as great risks in killing
Indians as Wetze ever did. The
reason of his hatred Tor the whole IT,
dian race was the killing of a iavoritc
brother in family of seven or eight
boys by Piegans He was COOL
shot and used Winchester rife IN
stead Of the old muzzle-loading flint
lock rifle that WetzeI carried. He Is
David Warcham, Of Fergus county.
81 have heard accounts of but two
of his battles, but no doubt a history
of others would be just as interesting.
He encountered five bucks. evidently
on the warpath, or horse stealing
expedition. He had not his gun with
him, but be went home, which was
not far off, aud returned with IL. He
sought good spot and began firing.
The Indians made fight, but he drop
ped them so fast that two started to
run away, but he was too swift for
them, and every one was killed.
Another time he and a pilgrim
were camping out, and in the night
the Indians stole both their horseg.
They followed the Indians, who ey-
identity did not expect a visit from
them. They crept up close to the
camp and found the horses tied at the
camp. Warcham's horse was a pet,
and whinnied when it scented It's mas
ter. The Indians did not awake, and
both horses were taken away. They
could not get their own saddles, but
got two old Indian saddles, as beng
better than riding bareback. Then
they stampeded the Indian horses, and
drove them toward Fort Benton.
Passing a narrow canon, Warcham
told his companion 10 hurry along
with the horses az fast as he could and
he would wait for the Indians, seven
in number, whom they had seen COM
ing afar oil. He concealed himself as
well az he could and awaited their
coming. When the battle was over
the seven Indians had become good
Indians, and Warcham had not a sin
gle scratch. After resting his horre
he overlook his companion, who was
nearly scared to death and almost worn
out with the old saddle. They rested,
not fearing any danger, and rode leis-
urely into Fort Benton. where they
sold their stock and remained until
they had recruited. Its related that
neither was able to sit down for a
week after arriving 10 the town.
"Warchsm, even to this day, when
he sees an Indian. fires up, gnashes
his teeth, and regrets that he has not
his gun with him. He has not killed
any women or children, but those
who know him best are certain that
few Indians have ever met him on the