The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1898-03-11
INDIANS THEIR GAME
TWO MEN WHOSE SOLE DELIGHT
WAS TO KILL RED MEN.

WRO ~ Mill hED MCN'
Only Regretted a Lost Opportunity TO
Carry Out Their Desires Both Had
Relatives Massacred By Indians and
They Never Forgave Their Foes.
Lewis Wetzel, who lived in the
western part of Virginia, became noted
as an Indian fighter previous to and
during the Revolutionary war;" re-
marked an old timer, who was in a
reminiscent mood. "He was large,
wiry, athletic man, who became an In
dian hunter because Indians had kill
ed all his nearest kindred in their
raids into the settlements of western
Virginia. He possessed a 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 revenge, and he
not only killed them when on the war;
path, but whenever he could engage
with them. He could load his rifle
running, and therefore was a danger
Gus antagonist. He was one of the
few men of the West who could fire
at the edge of a knife and cut the bull
let in two every time at distance of
ten yards. He enjoyed his prowes3,
and when in the settlements he was a
companionable man, but hunting In
dians he was morose and disagreeable,
and much preferred to he alone. 1t
Is said that he even killed Indian wo-
men and children, and it is well known
tnat he killed Indians who were am
bassadors to the whites on peaceful
errands. If he ever saw an Indian
that he did not kill it has not been re-
corded. In the upper Ohio River coun-
try his name has been handed down
frora father to son, and many exploits
have been told of him which never APP
peared in print. There is a county in
West Virginia uamed after him, and
romances have been written whose he
roes 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 he
has not been particular what tribe they
belonged to or where they were. He
has taken as great risks in killing In
| dams as Wetzel ever did. The reason
of his hatred for the whole Indian race
was the killing of favorite brother
in a family of seven or eight boys by
! Piegans. He was a good shot, and
| used a Winchester rife instead of the
old mrzzle-loading flint-lock rife that
| Wetzel carried. He is David War
| cham of Fergrs county.
81 have heard accounts of but two of
| his battles, but no doubt history Of
others would be just as interesting.
lie encountered five bucks, evidently
on the warpath, or a horse stealing ex-
petition. lie had not his gun with
him, but he went home, which was not
far off, and returned with it. He
sought a 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 even, and every one was killed.
"Another time he and pilgrim were
| camping out, and in the night the In
dians stole both their horses. They
| followed the Indians, who evidently
did not expect visit from them. They
crept up close to the camp and found
the horses tied at the camp. War.
cham's horse was a pet and whinnied
| W lIIA II oNGulCu llS ndSItI. he III
dians did not awake, and both horses
were taken away. They could not get
their own saddles, but got two old In
dian saddles, as being better than
riding bareback. Then they stamped
ed the Indian horses and drove them
toward Fort Benton. Passing mar
row canon, Warcham told his compan-
ion to hurry along with the horses as
fast as be could and he would wait for
the Indians, seven in number, whom
they had seen coming afar off. He
concealed himself as well as he could
and awaited their coming. When the
battle was over the seven Indians had
become good Indians, and Warchanl
had not single scratch. After rest
ing his horse he overlook his COM
panion, who was nearly scared to death
and almost worn out with the old sad
die. They rested, not fearing any
danger, and rode lesurely into Fort
Benton, where they sold their stock
and remained until they had recruited
1t is related that neither was able to
sit down for week after arriving ir
the town.
"Warcham, even to this day, wher
he sees an Indian, fires up, gnashes hi
teeth, and regrets that he has not hi
gun with him. He has never killed
any women or children, BUT those wht
know him best are certain that few
Indians have ever met him on tn,
plains and gone away alive. He Il
now in the vigor of life, betweel
40 and so years old, and is regarded
by all his neighbors as one of tn
States best citizens. But he can
conceal, and doesn't try to conceal, hi