Life And Adventures Of Lewis Wetzel, The Virginia Rancher

by Cecil B. Hartley

Lewis Wetzel (1763-1808) was known throughout the frontier area during his own lifetime as one of the most famous and feared Indian-fighters in the Ohio River valley. He grew up not far from what later became Wheeling, WV, and was very frequently in action against Indians as a teenager during the Revolutionary War and for years afterward. Simon Kenton (1755-1836) was located further down the Ohio in Kentucky, and was famous for the same reason. However, they are normally portrayed quite differently. Kenton warmly supported settlers in Kentucky and often took the lead against Indian warriors who attacked them. He distinguished between combatants and non-combatants, and between friendly and hostile Indians. Wetzel seems to have had a ruthless and undiscriminating hostility toward all Indians.