Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1938-04-14
THE FAMOUS WHETZLE ROCK

The discovery of the Whetzla
rock, high up among the cliffs OF
Morgan county, west of the sparsely
settled Durant, revealed new land
mark of historical adventure. The
surrounding rocks, like walled
rooms of a home in the wilderness,
were thrilling enough for their part
doors, but the true sense of emotion
was stirred in earnest when a trap
per accidentally brushing some moss
from stone uncovered, engraved
thereon, this inscription: Enjoy
the peace | have prepared for you.
Engraved by me, Lewis Whetzle,
born 1n Virginia, February the 29th,
1882"
The finding of the famous Whet~
zle rock was made on January rs,
1892, by Andy Gobel. While trap
against the side he discovered Pc
culiar roughness on the surface and,
tearing away the moss, discovered
the letters, which are carved deep
into the side of the rock. The rock
is over 80 feet long, and over IL
feet high. The inscriptions on it's
surface are in old fashioned letters.
but the carving is deep and the
words are quite plain.
The place is difficult of access as
the only way to reach the curiosity
is to follow up the rocky bed of the
stream. The hills on either side are
almost precipitous and there is no
public road near. The best way to
visit it is to drive to Durant and
then walk to the location.
The rock is on slight terrace
nearly one hundred feet above the
bed of the stream and was formerly
surrounded by dense growth of
trees and underbrush. The rock
was formerly completely concealed
by shrubs and vines and the face OF
the stone was covered with thick
moss.
The life of Lewis Whetzle, an In
dian scout, unfolds a weird story of
strange adventure. The following
narrative of Whetzle's exploits is
taken from d. M. Kelsey's "StOries
of Pioneer Life" 1t must be re-
membered that Whetzle was the
greatest hero of Buckeye pioneer
days and the following account is
cured.
OF all the heroes of the border
who lived in those trying days,
there are none whose names are
dearer to adventure than the Whet-
zles. Lewis, the youngest son Of
the family, is the one around whose
name the deeds of daring cluster
most thickly. Following the course
of his life the heat of the contests
with Indians seemed to have passed
in 1878, and no fear was felt of
sudden incursions from them.
Lewis, playing near the house
with his brother, was surprised by
an Indian and shot in the chest.
had the shot been fired when
two redskins leaped upon the boys
and carried them off. On toward
their village across the Ohio they
went, crossing on the second day.
The wound and the rapid pace they
were taken did not tend to subdue
the fever in his young blood. He
knew too well the fate Of an In
dams prisoner If he failed to keep
pace and wished to avoid the toma
hawk. The Indians, after crossing
The Ohio river near Steubenville, re-
axed their vigilance and did not
tie the boys as customary. The
campfire died down, the night wore
On, and the warriors were fast
asleep. With the light, quick step !
which he had learned from the In |
1ian fighters who frequented his |
,ather's house, Lewis rose, awaken |
I'D his brother and they noislessly |
stole away and pushed into the