History of the early settlement and Indian wars of Western Virginia embracing an account of the various expeditions in the West, previous to 1795. Also, biographical sketches of Ebenezer Zane, Major Samuel M'Colloch, Lewis Wetzel, Genl. Andrew Lewis, Genl. Daniel Brodhead, Capt. Samuel Brady, Col. Wm. Crawford, other distinguished actors in our border wars |
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| E. |
| II. |
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THE BECHAM MURDER. |
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| VII. |
 | CHAPTER II. History of the early settlement and Indian wars of Western Virginia |  |
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
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,
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.
To show the great difficulty we have had in establishing dates, this single
case comes to us, sustained by the strongest living evidence, that it occurred
in years widely apart. One party contends that it took place in 1790;
another, in 1793, and again in 1787. We have adopted that of Mr. Darby,
corroborated by Col. Bonnett. (See Darby's letter, A. end of present chapter.)
This apron has been productive of much mischief, by confounding facts,
and dates, and thus confusing the historian. Mrs. Cruger is positive that it
belonged to Mrs. Tush, who was not killed until '93. Colonel Bonnett, on the
other hand, is confident that this affair took place in '87; and is of the opinion
that the apron may have belonged to Mary Bevans, whose death, with that of
her sister and brother, we have just recorded. Hear what he says. We deem it
necessary to give this extract, as other writers, who have been misled as to
facts, may attempt to fix the date at a later period.
Colonel B., after speaking of the murder of the Bevans, at Clark's blockhouse,
adds:—
"Soon after, or early in August, 1787, the Becham boys met their fate.
The check apron alluded to in your letter, belonged to Mary Bevans, or perhaps
it might have belonged to Mary Crow, a young woman killed along with her
sister, about the same time. Be this as it may, one thing is certain, the
check apron belonged to one of the girls alluded to, and therefore could not
have been so late as the murder of George Tush's family." (MSS. letter of
Colonel Lewis Bonnett.)
| CHAPTER II. History of the early settlement and Indian wars of Western Virginia | |