Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1922-09-22
Some Pioneer Women
OF West Virginia

fey was over ana Mary Draper In
giles was reunited with her family.
Her descendants are scattered all
over the Ohio valley, and one of
them, a great grandson, has written
the story of her life.
Anna Bailey.
OF the early life of Ann Bailey. the
heroine of Point Pleasant, very lit
tie is known but her bravery at the
battle of Point Pleasant where her
husband was killed brought her into
a prominence which she continued 10
maintain during the remainder Of
her life and which has preserved
her name as one of the historical
women of the State.
Upon her husbands death at this
battle in 1774 Ann Bailey promptly
took his place and fought through
the bloody engagement with such
ferceness and bravery that she was
a source of inspiration to both Off
GERS and men. After the battle she
offered her services and those OF
her horse to Colonel CIendenin in
whose command her husband had
been enrolled. She offered to act
as messenger, scout, spy-anything
she could to aid the settlers, and
this service lasted until the Indians
were driven back from the Ohio
River.
On one occasion when the colonel
was commanding at Fort Clendenin
scouts brought word that an attack
might be expected at any time The
supply Of powder was dangerously
low and the nearest place where
more could be secured was at Lewis
burg, one hundred miles away.
There were no men to spare to send.
Ann Bailey volunteered, and de-
spite the protests of the colonel
made the trip successfully, return
ing on the third day with a key
of powder fastened to her.
Knew Power OF Roots.
During her life this remarkable
woman had picked up considerable
knowledge Of roots and herbs anG
their medicinal properties and her
later years were given over to en-
tending this gratuitous service t.
her fellow-beings with the same I'M
selfishness that had been evidenced
in her prime.
Some time later during the last
battle Of the Revolutionary War in
1882, a girl scarcely out of her
teens performed an act Of bravery
without precedent and of such mo-
mentous Consequences to the settle.
ment at Wheeling that the name Of
Elizabeth Zane has been accorded
a foremost place among her coun-
/ try's heroic women.
On the afternoon of September 10.
a party of Indians crossed the river
some distance below Wheeling pre-.
paratOry to attacking Fort Henry
for the second time. The storming
Of the fort was so unexpected that
only twenty men We're on hand to
hold off the enemy who advanced
with the British flag flying and de-
manded immediate surrender. On
the second day of fighting it was
discovered that the ammunition in
the fort was about exhausted. Sig
ty yards away stood the cabin Of
Conle Zane in which was stored a
quantity of ammunition recently sent
by the Governor.
Elizabeth Zane.
Elizabeth Zane volunteered to
fetch the necessary powder and al
though attempts We're made to dis
suade her, she had her way. I'm
armed, unprotected. she passed
! through the fort gate and ran swift.
lY towards the cabin. The Indians,
within easy gunshot seemed struck
pOwerless at the fearlessness of the
girl and the only movement was a
faint humble "Squaw! SQuaw!"
The return trip was not so for
tunate. With tablecloth full OF
powder over her shoulders, Betty
Zane, amid the horrible shouts and
yells of the Indians, ran a gauntlet
of bullets. The little band in the
fort held their breath, Betty Zane
came on. Then she stumbled and
fell but in an instant was on her
feet again and in another moment,
! unframed, was through the gate. The