The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-08-21

an abridged account of the brutal
butchery of part of Wilhelm Bein-
hart's family by the Indians, which
occurred in the Tuscarawas valley in
the year 1893, as related by a grand
son of Beinhart's to Colonel G. M.
Vanburen a couple of years ago, and
published in the National Tribune of
March 3rd, 1904.
Col. Vanburen says, that he in COM
pany with two companions were en-
joying a season of sport and recrea-
ton. in shooting quail in the Tusca-
rawas valley; and after morning Of
brisk and exciting work, came to the
residence of one of the citizens of that
neighborhood a man over whom the
frosts of more than four score years
had passed. whitening his locks and
bowing him down beneath their
weight. After the common saluta-
tions we're passed, and the Colonel
had asked whether they could get a
meal. and being answered in the affir-
native, it was while the meal was be-
ing prepared that the aged man en-
tertained them with some hunting
stories, adventures, etc.. and when
casual comment was made by one of
the hunting party on the fertility of
the soil. and the fact that it did not
look as if a cruel savage had ever
been there, brought from the host the
following narratives:
For several years preceding the
dian outbreaks; indeed so friendly
had the Indians become, and, seem
ingly, so we'll satisfied with existing
conditions, that even those hardy pio-
neers. who we're acquainted with their
treaCherous natures, released their
vigilance, feeling that they were in
peaceful security.
Some Of the settlers had built cab
ins on the north bank of the Ohio,
about II miles above the point where
Wheeling now stands, and had taken
their families to their new home, with
10 fears as far as the savages were
concerned.
True, they still kept the barred
door and heavy oaken shutters; each
house was also built at the center of
large clearing, but precedent was
the reason for this, and not from
fear of the Indians
ut was with no fear or apprehen-
sion of impending evil that Wilhelm
Beinhart set out early in the fall of
1893 to the fort at Wheeling in quest
Of powder and provisions. His fami-
daughter of H. two boys, Karl and
Hans, of IA and y respectively, and a
baby of eight months.
That morning the boys had killed
a bear, and the father was delayed
somewhat in order to help them in
dressing it: and thus his walk of II
miles and return brought him home
about two hours after nightfall
AT the point where the cabin first
came into view it had been his habit
ever since he lived there, when he re-
turned after nightfall, to stop and
look for an opening between the logs,
through which few rays of light al
ways shone; for either his wife or
oldest boy always waited for him
when he was detained at night.
There was an immediate forebod-
Ing of evil, when Beinhart reached
this point and saw no welcoming
CLEAN. Cautiously leaving the path,
he made his way around the edge of
the cleared space, until he was in
position to see the front of the house.
The door was open. Approaching eau
tiously with cooked rifle, he peered
within.
''The first sight that met his eyes
was the lifeless body of his daughter
shorn of scalp and the long tresses
which had been fathers pride
Staggering to a chest on which
was a candle, he lighted it from the
glowing Goals in the fireplace. There
was no sign Of his wife, baby or boys.
Then it was, in those moments of
agony. revenge was born in Beinhart's
soul; and though he was weary with
his long walk, he forgot his fatigue,
and few moments later entered the
cabin of Anton Meyer, his nearest
neighbor, with the bloody story.
with determination written upon
every lineament those two sturdy
woodsmen started to track the saYag-
es, having provided themselves with
dried meat and salt.
"A small band of Indians had evil
IDENTIFY been watching the mouse and
saw the departure of the father.
Shortly after the father left, the dogs
had found the scent of the mate of
the bear killed by the boys, and loud
ly baying had started into the forest,
followed by the lads, who hoped to be