Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-09-05
AN UNSUNG HEROINE.
Margaret Shaw, Brave and Unselfish,
Saves a Little Child.


In an obscure and unmarked grave
in the burying ground Of the old Mid
die Presbyterian church, short dis
lance to the north Of the town OF Mt.
Pleasant, Westmoreland county, Penn.
sylvania, lie the remains OF young
girl named Margaret Shaw, one of the
heroines of the fierce border warfare
on the old Pennsylvania frontier In
the eighteenth century. She was the
daughter Of a pioneer settler named
Moses Shaw, who was the founder OF
a family which has always been prom
inently connected with the develop
ment of Westmoreland county. he
was a maker of packsaddles. One OF
his most famous contracts was tne
making Of the saddles used by the
American legion of General Anthony
Wayne on it's memorable victorious
campaign in 1894, which forever broke
the power If the confederated Indian
tribes of the Ohio country. The home
of Moses Shaw was in the settlement
at Hannastown, then place or vast
importance as the capital OF west
moreland county, but now forgotten,
save as a mere tradition, by all except
those who like to dig among the ruins
of the pioneer days. The prominent
place occupied by old Hannastown IN
the life of the frontier made the town
a shining mark for attack by Indians
and British partisans during the Revo-
luton. Such an attack took place In
1882 with disastrous results Few
lives were lost, but the old Western
Pennsylvania court town was wiped
out Of existence for all time. This at
tack gave Margaret Shaw, then
young girl of only 16 years, the oppor'
tunity to do a deed Of devoted sacrl-
flee. She accepted the challenge OF
fate, did her duty, and lost her life.
BY her unselfish bravery she did not
win fame, but she is full as worthy OF
being enshrined in verse and history
as many another who is so honored.
This is the simple story Of Margarc.
Shaw's heroism.
On the day of the attack the people
at Hannastown we're fortunately
warned Of the approaching danger and
were able to take refuge in the block
house near at hand Here were gath
cred Young and old from the vicinity.
A sharp attack was made on the
stronghold. but there were within
trusty old double-barreled rifles and
keen eyes to sight them. The savages
lit r,
tention to burning the town. This
they effectually did, and then depart
ed, leaving the frightened but valor.
Gus whites in safety, all save one.
That lone victim was the tender girl,
Margaret Shaw. Some time during
the progress Of the attack on the
blockhouse a little child, innocent OF
danger, crept near the only really
dangerous place in the structure.
gate through which were some open
iLgs which gave entrance to an occa-
s;onal bullet Suddenly the little ones
peril was seen, and Margaret Shaw,
brave and Inselfish, rushed to snatch
1t away into safety. One moment was
enough The child was saved, but the
bighearted girl came within range OF
a hostile rifle. She received the fatal
ball through her breast into her left
lung. Staggering back, she gave the
child, all unconscious Of the great sac
rifice which had been made for 1t, to
its friends, and sank into the arms OF
those who rushed to succor her. The
siege was soon over and the hostile
redskins went back to the farther
frontier, but the stricken girl lay long
and fought the grim battle for life.
For two full weeks she struggled
against the odds Of death. amid terri
BILE sufferings, and then the brief but
noble chapter Of her life was ended.
She was buried in the old Middle
church yard, and there she lies to this
day. II her grave was ever marked
the stone has long ago fallen away,
and her sepulcher is lost. The writer
and others have often searched for