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 168-169 ADAM POE'S FAMOUS FIGHT WITH BIG FOOT. Some time near the year of 1780, a party of Wyandotts, consisting of five of the most distinguished chiefs of that nation, came into one of the intermediate settlements between Fort Pitt and Wheeling and killed an old man, who was alone in the vast wilderness, and robbed him of all that was in the cabin. After doing this, they commenced retreating with the plunder, but they were soon discovered by spies, among whom were Andrew and Adam Poe, two brothers, distinguished for their build, physical strength and bravery, who went in pursuit of them, coming near them not far from the Ohio river. Adam Poe, fearing that the Indians were in ambush, left his companions, where he started toward the river under cover of the high grass, with a few to attack them unawares, should they be in such a position. At last he saw an Indian raft at the edge of the water, but saw no Indians; presently he walked cautiously through the grass, and had gone but a few steps when he saw below him under the bank the big Wyandott chief, "Big Foot," and a little Indian side by side, muttering something in a very low tone, and watching the party of whites who were lower down the bottom. Poe then raised his gun to shoot, aiming at the big chief; the gun snapped, which betrayed his presence; seeing no chance for retreat, he immediately sprang upon the big chief, and seizing him by the breast and at the same time putting his arm around the neck of the smaller Indian, threw them both to the ground, knocking the two Indians senseless for the time being. They then struggled for a while, on which the smaller Indian succeeded in getting loose from the grasp of Poe, and of course, as soon as he got free grabbed a tomahawk and started toward Poe, but a vigorous and well-directed kick soon put an end to the Indian's intentions for a while; but after recovering from the shock he had received by the kick, the Indian again raised his tomahawk, but this time Poe saved himself by throwing up his arms, as the blow was aimed at his head. Poe now realized that he was menaced by a terrible danger, and freeing himself from the grip of the chief, he arose, picked up a gun and shot the smaller Indian through the stomach. By this time the big chief had regained his feet, and seizing Poe by the shoulder and leg threw him up in the air like a man would throw a small baby. Poe, however, was soon on his feet, and engaged in a close struggle. By this time they were both at the water's edge; the question now was to drown the other, and the efforts to accomplish this were continued for a long time without any success. At last Poe grasped the long hair of the chief and held him under the Water until he thought he was dead and relaxed his hold, but too soon; in an instant the gigantic savage was again on his feet and ready for another combat. In this they were both taken beyond their depth and had to swim for safety; both swam for all their might toward the shore. The Indian was a more expert swimmer and succeeded in reaching the shore first. By this time Andrew Poe (his brother), who had just returned from a conflict with the other members of the band, killing all but one, getting worried about his brother, went in search of him and there appeared in the nick of time to save his brother. Adam, seeing that the Indian would reach shore first, turned and swam back into the river, thinking that he could get beyond the reach of the gun of the heartless savage, and some other member of the gang taking him for an Indian, shot and wounded him severely. He then called upon his brother to shoot the big Indian on the shore, which he did, and immediately sprang into the river after his brother, who was so severely hurt that he could not swim. The wounded chief then rolled into the river to save a trophy that is so dear to every Indian warrior. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------