THE BECHAM MURDER.
Of those who settled on Little Wheeling, after the cessation
of hostilities in 1783, was a family named Becham. They
lived near what is now known as the Scotch ridge. In
October, 1787,[42]
two of the sons of Mr. Becham left home to
hunt their horses, and look for bee trees. They had not gone
far before a small party of Indians fell upon them, and took
them prisoners. The Indians had caught one of the horses
and tied him to a tree, and when the boys approached they
were made captives without any resistance. The Indians
then caught another horse, and placing a boy each before
them, rode off. They made for the Ohio at Grave creek.
That night they encamped about four miles from the river,
and after securing their prisoners, fell asleep. During the
night, something caused them to believe they were pursued;
and without a moment's hesitation tomahawked and scalped
the unfortunate prisoners, and then made off as speedily as
possible. Happily, in the hurry and confusion of the moment,
they did not do up the work of death in an effective
manner, as neither boy was killed, and the eldest but slightly
injured, saving the loss of his scalp. Thomas sat by the side
of his brother for some time, but finding his head bleeding
freely, took from the Indian's plunder a check apron,
[43]
and
tied it around his head. Deeming it imprudent to remain
there, Thomas took some of the plunder, among which were
a few pewter spoons, and mounting one of the horses,
rode off for help. He travelled about three miles down
Grave creek, where he left the horse, and proceeded on foot
to the Flats. He went directly to the house of Mr. Masters,
father of Dr. Z. Masters, living at that time on the farm now
owned by Mr. Lewis D. Purdy, where his wound was dressed,
and himself taken care of. A party went out on the morning
to look for the other boy, but the savages had been back and
made fatal work. It was supposed they had waited at
some convenient point of observation until daylight, and discovering
no pursuing party, returned to camp and dispatched
the poor boy who had still survived. Thomas lived to a good
old age, and for many years resided in Belmont county, Ohio.
The Indians engaged in this expedition returned to the
neighborhood of West Alexandria, and killed a Scotch woman,
also a man named Ageo. They then escaped to the Ohio,
and crossed near Yellow creek. Ageo was killed in going to
the fort, after the murder of the woman referred to. He was
shot from his horse.
