West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1902-07-02
rhs Levi Morgan Monument.

The monument of Levi Morgan
ore of West Virginias pioneer
settlers and Indian fighters which
has been recently erected In New
Martins Vile, is causing quite lot
of comment. The belief generally
prevails In this section that the
said Levi Morgan was not the per
petrator of the barparous act which
1t is safd,this monument commem-
crates, but that 1t was committed
by one David Morgan, brother OF
the famous Gen. Daniel Morgan of
Revolutionary fame. Historians
say that David Morgan being at.
tackled by two Indians fired and
killed one of them, he then took
refuge behind a tree and placing
his hat on his ramrod exposed 1t to
the other Indians view. who In
Instantly fred at II, this leaving
Morgan and the Indian both with
empty guns. Morgan now started
to run but as he leaped a small "a
vine the Indian threw his toma
hawk, which strikicg Morgans
hand that held his gun 1t severed
two of his fingers. The Indian at
this iunctnre seized Morgan who
was more than three score and ten
years of age and buried him to the
ground. Leaping upon him the
Indian drew a hunting knife and
attempted to stab Morgan, who
seized the knife and In the
struggle drove 1t to the hilt In
the Indians stomach. The In.
dian instantly leaped up and
darted into the wood. Morgan
called his two frightened children
that were hid near by In a hollow
log and together they hurried to
the tort, on arrival there search
Ing party started out to look for the
wounded indian. He was found In
tree top that had fallen some his
torians say he was already dead,
while others say he was finished by
one of the party of searchers, but
all agree that David Morgan
skinned this dead warrior and from
his skin made a shot pouch which
Is today kept as a relic of this afro.
cious act by member of one OF
Wetzeps prominent families. The
fact is there Is a mistake some.
where, was 1t David Morgan or was
1t Levi Morgan that did this most
shocking deed? The mere killing
In self defense isn't to be compared
with the act of removing the skin
from the fallen warrior. No doubt
the savage himself would have
turned away In horror, rather than
do so beastly deed. Nevertheless
we have the statue, now, let US try
and forget for why It was built.
1t looms up so cold aud dark to
greet the passerby,
With grim reminder of the times
when men must fight or die.
The day when white men battled
with the warrior from the wood.
When treaties were forgotten and
each tried as best he could.
To drive the other from this land
by deeds most horribly done;
Say, why commemorate this act
when 1t was surely one. |
Ills told In song and story how this
awful deed was done, !
How Morgan skinned the Indian II
Levi" was the one.
But somehow 1t says In history
without an "if" or IAN" /
That David was the one who hayed
hts fellow man.
And after he had dressed the hide
with very best Of care,
Ills said he made a pouch there
from, both curious and rare.
In which he carried all his lead In
shape of bullets round,
TO perforate each Iujun that In his !,
way he found.
Why should we build monument
to commemorate this crime?
Why not let 1t be forgotten as we
turn the leaves of time?
CHAs OSCAR FLUHARTY.
White Man Turned Yellow.
Great CONSERVATION was felt by
H. II Hnnnrtu Of