U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- History of Wetzel County, West Virginia by John C. McEldowney, Jr., 1901 Pages 21-22 SIMON GIRTY. The notorious Simon Girty once led a band of savages through Wetzel county. We here give a sketch of him, taken from McDonald's History of Ohio. Simon Girty was from Pennsylvania, to which his father had emigrated from Ireland. The old man was beastly intemperate, and nothing ranked higher in his estimation than a jug of whisky. Grog was his song, and grog he would have. His sottishness turned his wife's affection. Ready for seduction, she yielded her heart to a neighboring rustic, who, to remove all obstacles to their wishes, knocked Girty on the head and bore off the trophy of his prowess. Four sons of this interesting couple were left, Thomas, Simon, George and James. The three latter were taken prisoners in Braddock's war by the Indians. George was adopted by the Delawares, became a ferocious savage, and died in a drunken fit. James was adopted by the Swanees, and became as depraved as his other brothers. It is said that he often visited Kentucky at the time of its first settlement, and inflicted most barbarous tortures upon all captive women who came within his reach. Traders who were acquainted with him say so ferocious was he that he would not have turned on his heel to save a prisoner from the flames. To this monster are to be attributed many of the cruelties charged upon his brother Simon, yet he was caressed by Proctor and Elliott. Simon was adopted by the Senecas, and became an expert hunter; in Kentucky and Ohio he sustained the character of an unrelenting barbarian. One hundred years ago his name was associated with everything that was cruel and fiendlike; to the women and children particularly, nothing was more terrifying than the name of Simon Girty. At that time it was believed by many that he had fled from justice and was seeking refuge among the Indians, determined to do his countrymen all the harm in his power. This impression was as erroneous one; being adopted by the Indians, he joined them in their wars and conformed to their usages. This was the education he had received, and their foes were his. Although trained in all his pursuits as an Indian, it is said to be a fact susceptible of proof that through his importance many prisoners were saved from death. His influence was great, and when he chose to be merciful it was generally in his power to protect the imploring captive. His reputation was that of an honest man, and he fulfilled his engagements to the last cent. It is said he once sold his horse, rather than to incur the odium of violating his promise. He was intemperate, and when intoxicated ferocious and abusive to friends. Although much disabled the last ten years of his life by rheumatism, he rode to his hunting ground in pursuit of game, suffering the most excruciating pains. He often boasted of his warlike spirit. It was his constant wish, one that was gratified, that he might die in battle. He was at Proctor's defeat, and cut to pieces by Colonel Johnson's men. Girty led the first attack against Fort Henry in 1777; he also led an attack against Baker's fort the same year, but without effect. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other articles in this book by going to the following URL which contains a linked index for the book. http://www.us-data.org/wv/wetzel/history/mceldowney.html -------------------------------------------------------------------