The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-06-18
HOW THE ZANES
FOUND WHEELING
FOUR BROTHERS CAME HERE
FROM SOUTH BRANCH OF
POTOMAC IN 1893.
TRAVELLED ON FOOT THROUGH
TRACklESS FOREST FROM
REDSTONE FORT.
MADE FIRST SETTLEMENT IN
177o-hoW FRIENDLY INDIAN
SAVED FAMILY.

~ EfAAf lAfHA ana fllA AF~
velopmsnt oil Wheeling Is due mainly
10 the four Zane brothers. Daniel.
Ebenezer, Jchnathan and SiIds. In
1863. they set out from the south
branch OF h Potomac. After many
hardships. they succeeded ia reaching
ltedstone fort. RON Brownsville. Pa.
From traders and Indians. they heard
glowing OF a wonderful cOun-
try 10 the southwark and could not
rest until they had seen il with their
own eyes.
They set out on foot and could
carry only IA srpall fraction OF tho
amoun Of provisions necessary for
their long journey. Therefore they
had 10 depend principally on their
suns n dogs. Game was very
plentiful and 1t was in September. the
most iavoraoie season OF the year for
deer. bear. Wild turkey and smaller
game. all uf which they found IN
abundance All of them were young
and fun OF the spirit OF adventure.
After travelling through the track
less forest for several days. they
reached the waters OF Wheeling
Creek. This, they decided 10 follow
TO its mouth. hoping that Il would
lead 10 the Ohio river. They follow
ed the stream until Il made a Netour
20 IN" south and then climbed an adj
tacont hill in order to obtain a better
vieV
The scene which presented itself 70
their delighted gaze a ? masni-
fiCent one With mute astonishment
they gazod IN the beautiful pIaor-
ANA. which uature unfolfed 10 their
enraptured vision. All their homes
n wishes We're more than fulfilled
and they decided Ia go no farther.
Descending tho hill to the river.
hey made a raft and went 10 the Op-
posite shore. which they supposed -
b. a part Of IN" mainland hut which
they found upon Investigation. 70
be an Island. which rested like an
emerald on the bosom ~ the waters.
Il fell to SilaS to remain WhIle the
o'h"rs returned - R"dstOne Fort FOR
supplies. Ho soon discovered traces
of Indians and found that Their" Was
- much used trail not far from his
temporary quarters.
Traces Of Indians.
BY remaining concealed. n" diScov-
cred that Indians passed that way fire.
quentlv. To avoid discovery 10 went
% tho forks az Wheeling Greet and
found a hiding place IN a hollow irr"
not use his rife for fear ~ attracting
the Indians and lived On fish. roots
and berries for some time going 20
and from his hiding plac" by wading
In tho Waf"- 10 conceal his trail
When tho other brothers returned.
rhey 100. found traces q Indians. and
as Silas was nowhere in sight they
concluded that he lad been killed
After a search 81 seyeral DAYS they
FOUND him. ami a joyful reunion took
place.
Ebsnezcr Was Joined 2 little later
by his wife. a refined vouuE woman.
who IS said 70 have" been th" first
convert 70 tho Methods church iu
West Virginia The fir; Methods,
preacher In this territory Vas Tho
Rev. Wilson L'n. Of the baltimore
conference. Who was stationed 1t Rc'
ton fort and Travelled mauy miles IN
all directions.
On one occasion a relie .ou- meet
ing Vas being held ~ West Liberty
and there was no n present TO start
the music. Elizabeth Zane. 81 sister
~ tho fhre" pioneers. was pre- emit
and announced that althouLh she
could not sing. she would whist" tho
tune 10 got b. started Tho offer was
accepted and soon the foros- VA
echo!ng th" melody Of hundreds az
'~Prvent voices.
The Zane brothers soon gal-sd o.
Md acquaintance among OBJ. Nom
h"-- - '-. D.i4v1r. and V.tr...
'ribT- They hunted. f-l.i ami
trat'.cd wl'h Tho warrior and fro
0u"nf'y entertained them 90 f..,r
homo% one warrior o. hnr..fa4o
f-4m" and very pronounced Eow.r
'"afIrce. known g. Captain John
h"ram" Greatly attached to jonathan
Zanr.
On occasion io earn. I'll, tho
IAN" cahi0 greatly depressed ar4 70.
used ~ tax or ear or oven 20 mole
3D." pace pip" Finally. iD h-rko bis
n'' anf told Iaa" '.a' % band ~
o.