The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-05-24
STORY OF PIONEER DAYS
THREE SCALPS WERE THE
 SOURCE OF
THREE
Lewis weizeps Reputation For Great
 ProvYess.

| My grandfather, said our grandfath-
 went back five generations, was fond of
 telling me Indian stories. One of hls heroes was Lewis Weizel, who became noted as an Indian fighter renowned for
 his daring ventures. He had great per sonal courage, with which was com- | bined a knowledge of the forest and skill in strategem that made him, as my grandfather said, general of the
 woods"
 Lewis father was a poor man, | farmer in the hills near Wheeling, w. Va. It was in early June and young | Weizel was out in the cornfield blowing when several farmers came along. Lew is, barefooted boy, 16 years old, pulled on the rope that answered as lines, stopped the horse and asked:
 Whats the matter?"
 Matter enough was the answer. "A pasel O redskins has stole our hosses, and we're after 'em. Want to ketch em a'fore they kin cross the river. They're from the Muskingum or furder west. Unhitch VT mare an come with us" All his young life Weizel had heard thrilling tales of warfare and adventure with the Indians, and many of those who told them were themselves the he- roes in these stirring scenes. l,, ;o1y m tiI11n waste"
 Weizel still hestated His father had forbidden him to leave the home with out his permission
 T dassent leave" he said. "The old man won't like it.
 "Oh come on, Lew" said one of the party, little older than himself. Well make it all right with the old man.
 With this Weizel led the mare out from the growing corn, Jumped on her back and was off in pursuit of the red robbers They finally came In sight Of the thieves, who were carelessly Ning about on the grass. They felt safe, as the Ohio river was between them and the neighborhood where they had stolen the horses The stolen horses were grazing nearby, their legs spanceed- that is, tied with ropes to prevent straying The white men made a rush on the camp and the surprised Indians fled without attempting to take the horses with them.
 The farmers were greatly elated, none more so than young WeiZel, at the easy recovery of the horses. But the horses they had themselves ridden in this pur- suit of the thieves were jaded and hun gry They agreed that the horses they | had ridden should be turned out to grass, three of the party to bring them | home after they had refreshed short | time. The others WeiZel among them, | proceeding toward the settlement, had | not gone many miles when they were | overtaken by the men they had left be- l hind, who informed them that the h. | dians had returned and that the only | thing left to do to save their scalps | was to run and leave the horses with | the thieves. A barley was called, The | leader of the party said there was l nothing to do but return to the settle | ment. leaving the horses with the h. | dians.
 That may do for you," said Weizel, | "but 1t won't do for me. How on earth | am ever goin to face the old man an tell him left that mare with the h. | juns? I'd rutfler have that mare with out my scalp than to have my scalp | without the mare. I'm goin' back"
 They endeavored in vain to persuade him that he could accomplish nothing.
 I'm goin' back. If none O you'll 20 with me, I'll go alone"
 Well" said two the younger men of the party, "sein' as how we mought | be held to blame for persuadin' of you to come, we'll go back with you"
 So back went these three. When they | again reached the Indian camp they saw their horses. They were in charge | of three Indians, who evidently had no fear of the return of the white men.
 "There's the hosses!" said Weizel, with a little cry of delight. There's pap's old mare, right as a trivet" A trivet in the days of the pioneers was three-legged stove which was really rarely right, as all the three legs sell dom touched the puncheon floor at the same time.
 Now boys" said Weizel q s'pose I've got you into this an I'll have to see you through We'll keep shy and