Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-09-28

co 10 ner morse.
During her life this remarkable wo-
man had picked up considerable know
ledge of roots and herbs and their me-
dicinal properties and her later years
were given over to extending this ga
tuitous service to her fellow-tsings
with the same unselfishness that had
been evidenced in her prime.
Some time later during the last bat
tie of the Revolutionary War in 1882,
a girl scarcely out Of her teens per-
formed an act OF bravery at Wheeling
that the name of Elizabeth Zane has
been accorded foremost place among
her country'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 siorming Of the
fort was so unexpected that only 20
men were on hand to hold the enemy
who advanced with the British flag hy-
ing and demanded immediate surren-
der. On the second day Of fighting it
was discovered that the ammunition iii
the fort was about exhausted. SIXTY
yards away stood the cabin of Colonel
Zane in which was stored quantity
of ammunition recently sent by the
Governor.
Elizabeth Zane volunteered to fetch
the necessary powder and although
attempts were made to dissuade her,
she had her way. Unarmed, unrrn-
tected, she passed through the fo7t
gate and ran swiftly towards the cabin.
The Indnas, within easy gunshot,
seemed struck powerless at the fearless
ness of the girl and the only move
ment was a faint humble of "Squaw!
Squaww
The return trip was not so fortu-
nate. 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 in
slant was on her feet again and in an
other moment, was through the gate.
The courageous woman had saved the
fort.
The State of West Virginia has
erected tablet marking the site of the
old fort which stood In the city of
Wheeling, and life sized portrait of
Betty Zane was hung in the old State
House while Wheeling was the capital
Of the State.
In the stockade at Fort Henry, dur
ing the same battle, was anothe girl,
Nancy Robbins, who was a skilled
frontierswoman and who also played
part in aiding the men who were hold
ing off the enemy. History says that
she volunteered to make the perilous
trip after powder but as she was ex-
ceptionally skillful in moulding bullets,
she was kept for that work. After
ward Nancy Robbins was married to
William Maxwell who established the
first newspaper published north of the
Ohio River. She worked with her
husband, learned his trade and stitched
the binding on the first book publish
ed in the northwestern territory-Max-
wells Code.
Much has been written and said
abuot Margaret Agnew Blennerhassett,
queen, for space, of that historic is
land within the area of Wood county,
Irrespective of her husbands part in
the mystery of the island, Margaret
Blennerhassett herself left a certain
print on the history of the State. 1t
is not generally known that this lady
of beauty, charm and versatility was
writer of note; her work showing
finish and deepneSs of thought which
aroused the attention of some of the
best critics. Her poem, "The Desert
ed lsle,' is a beautiful and true pic
ture OF the famous island home. She
was probably best known, however.
by her book, "Widow of the Rock"
In Lippincott's magazine of 1879 it
was stated that Mrs. Blennerhassett in
troduced vaccination in the West Dur
ing frequent visits to New York her
children were vaccinated. She pre-
served the virus and successfully rcr-
formed The operation on the children
Who were brought TO Nv. island h.