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Literary
September 19, 1921
The Guthrie Daily Leader
Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma
What is this article about?
Biographical narrative of Lewis Wetzel, born 1752 in Virginia, who became a renowned scout and Indian fighter after his father's death by Indians. He escaped captivity as a youth and later earned the Delaware nickname 'Death Wind' for his deadly raids, but grew indiscriminate, dying bitter in 1808.
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Full Text
Stories
of
Sy Elmo
Scott
Great Scouts
Wetzel
Western
Newspaper
Union
LEWIS
WETZEL
"DEATH WIND
OF THE DELAWARES"
Many of the great scouts did not become Indian fighters until they were men but Lewis Wetzel started early. He killed his first Indian when he was only thirteen years old.
Wetzel was born in Virginia in 1752. His father moved to the present site of Wheeling, W. Va. and was killed there by the Indians before the eyes of his sons. Lewis swore eternal enmity against all redskins.
One day while he and his brother were running in the woods they were attacked by Indians. Lewis killed one of the savages and the next instant was hit by a bullet which carried away a piece of his breast bone. Both boys were taken captive. That night while the Indians slept, Wetzel worked loose the thongs which bound him and kept unfastened his brother.
After the boys had fled for about a mile they discovered that their moccasins were torn to shreds. Leaving his brother in hiding, Lewis returned to the Indian camp and undetected by the sleeping savages, robbed them of two pairs of moccasins as well as a gun and some powder and lead.
The next morning the Indians were hot on their trail and soon were close upon them. As the Indians approached, the boys stepped out of the trail into a clump of bushes, allowing their pursuers to speed past, and then they followed. Soon they heard the Indians coming back and again they stepped into the bushes and hid. The Wetzel boys played this dangerous game of hide-and-seek several times before they finally eluded the savages and returned in safety to their home.
When Lewis Wetzel grew older he crossed over into Ohio and soon became one of the best-known scouts in the country.
Wetzel was called "The Death Wind" by the Delawares whom he hated particularly. More than once a Delaware warrior trembled with fear as he heard a shrill, moaning cry echoing through the forest, for it usually was followed soon afterward by a shot from the scout's deadly weapon which ended the redskin's life.
In his later years Wetzel lost the respect of many people because he began killing all Indians he met, whether hostile or friendly, and several times he was imprisoned for shooting members of peaceable tribes. In his last days he became a lonely, bitter old man until death came to him in 1808.
of
Sy Elmo
Scott
Great Scouts
Wetzel
Western
Newspaper
Union
LEWIS
WETZEL
"DEATH WIND
OF THE DELAWARES"
Many of the great scouts did not become Indian fighters until they were men but Lewis Wetzel started early. He killed his first Indian when he was only thirteen years old.
Wetzel was born in Virginia in 1752. His father moved to the present site of Wheeling, W. Va. and was killed there by the Indians before the eyes of his sons. Lewis swore eternal enmity against all redskins.
One day while he and his brother were running in the woods they were attacked by Indians. Lewis killed one of the savages and the next instant was hit by a bullet which carried away a piece of his breast bone. Both boys were taken captive. That night while the Indians slept, Wetzel worked loose the thongs which bound him and kept unfastened his brother.
After the boys had fled for about a mile they discovered that their moccasins were torn to shreds. Leaving his brother in hiding, Lewis returned to the Indian camp and undetected by the sleeping savages, robbed them of two pairs of moccasins as well as a gun and some powder and lead.
The next morning the Indians were hot on their trail and soon were close upon them. As the Indians approached, the boys stepped out of the trail into a clump of bushes, allowing their pursuers to speed past, and then they followed. Soon they heard the Indians coming back and again they stepped into the bushes and hid. The Wetzel boys played this dangerous game of hide-and-seek several times before they finally eluded the savages and returned in safety to their home.
When Lewis Wetzel grew older he crossed over into Ohio and soon became one of the best-known scouts in the country.
Wetzel was called "The Death Wind" by the Delawares whom he hated particularly. More than once a Delaware warrior trembled with fear as he heard a shrill, moaning cry echoing through the forest, for it usually was followed soon afterward by a shot from the scout's deadly weapon which ended the redskin's life.
In his later years Wetzel lost the respect of many people because he began killing all Indians he met, whether hostile or friendly, and several times he was imprisoned for shooting members of peaceable tribes. In his last days he became a lonely, bitter old man until death came to him in 1808.
What sub-type of article is it?
Prose Fiction
What themes does it cover?
War Peace
What keywords are associated?
Lewis Wetzel
Death Wind
Delawares
Indian Fighter
Scout
Frontier
Wheeling
Virginia
Ohio
What entities or persons were involved?
Sy Elmo Scott
Literary Details
Title
Lewis Wetzel "Death Wind Of The Delawares"
Author
Sy Elmo Scott
Key Lines
He Killed His First Indian When He Was Only Thirteen Years Old.
Lewis Swore Eternal Enmity Against All Redskins.
Wetzel Was Called "The Death Wind" By The Delawares Whom He Hated Particularly.
More Than Once A Delaware Warrior Trembled With Fear As He Heard A Shrill, Moaning Cry Echoing Through The Forest, For It Usually Was Followed Soon Afterward By A Shot From The Scout's Deadly Weapon Which Ended The Redskin's Life.
In His Last Days He Became A Lonely, Bitter Old Man Until Death Came To Him In 1808.