West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1902-07-22
Levi Morgan.

In a recent issue OF Tue Oll Nc
view we noticed an article, entitle d,
THE Levi Mosgan Monument,"by
Cnas. Oscar Fluharty. This article
surely marks the advent of a great
historic, a modern Herodotus.
As, perhaps this Is Mr.. Flu
harty's first attempt at writing b.
ography, we would kindly advise
him not to read the biography OF
two men at the same time, for the
mistakes he has made are sufi Gent
testimony that he is not capable OF
thinking OF more than one thing at
a time.
Being lineal descendant of Levi
Morgan, If whom I have just cause
of feeling proud, I deem 1t my duty
to resent the, envious attack upon
his honored name.
In the first place, the deeds OF
David Morgan have no connection
whatever with the deeds of Levi
Morgan, and the later will not or
at least should not, be held re-
sponsible for this so called Bar
barous act" OF the former. If this
be so, which Mr.. Fluharty tries to
prove, he must be willing to stand
responsible for the deeds and &C.
tons of his own relatives.
Levi Morgan was born In 1896 of
Old Virginia parentage. At an
early age he moved across the
mountains to the early settlement
on the Monongahela river, which
was close to the present site OF
Morgantown. At this time the
principal towns of the Indians
were located In the wilderness
across the Ohio river. The Indians
travelled by three different war
paths to the settlement on the
Monongahela viz: by way of the
Little Kanawha, Big Fishing creek
and Middle Island creek. The Big
Fishing route being the shortest
was most travelled by the Indians.
Morgan had not been at the
abodes of the white men very long
before he realized that the mouth
of this stream was very strate-
getIc point In protecting the whites
from the cruelties of savage bar
barlty. So, he. In company with
his two brothers "spy" and James,
equally as brave, acted accordingly
by erecting a fort at the mouth OF
Big Fishing creek, the present site
of New Msrtinsville. From this
fort they made several expeditions
against the Indians. Want Of space
forblds us giving detailed account
of each expedition.
By the establishment of this fort
at New Martlnsville, the travel of
the Indians was diverted into less
direct route upMiddle Island creek.
Morgan had several close engage
ments with the enemy on this
stream, particularly at the Jug"
where 1t required all bis strategy
to foil the enemy.
Again, In the year 1857, near
Pennington, Marion Co., Capt.
Morgan had very close encounter
with the Indians. While he was
engaged In skinpipg a wolf, which
he just captured. he suddenly saw
three Indians, one riding, the other
two walking behind coming toward
him. At first glance he recognized
the horse, which was we'll known
to him and supposed that the rider
was Its owner. Upon looking the
second time he saw his mistake,
and Selling he gun, sprang behind
large rock nearby. The Indians
Immediately took shelter behind
trees. One of the Indians peeping
from behind the tree was killed by
Morgan. But Morgan on turning
to reload his gun, found that he
had left his powder horn where he
was SHINING the wolf. He sprang
from behind the rock and started
to run with all his speed, and one
of the savages took after him. He
held his own In the race for while
but the savage finally gained on
him. Morgan saw that bis chances
were very slim now, and threw his
gun down, thinking that the Indian
would stop to pick 1t up. He did
nothing of the kind but passed 1t
by. Morgan then threw down his
coat and shot pouch, but all his
schemes were In vai:. They ran
on until they came to the top of the
hill. Here Morgan stopped. as
thou Oh some one was on the other
zlIo &c H. LII o.l ooi1oJ 1,,k.