JOHN WETZEL KILLED

The following story is reproduced from a book titled, the "Combined History and Atlas of Monroe County, Ohio." The material for this book was taken from two nineteenth century books: (1) 'History of Monroe County Ohio,' a product of the H.H. Hardesty & Co., publishers, Chicago and Toledo, 1882 and (2) 'Caldwell's Atlas of Monroe County, Ohio,' a product of Atlas Publishing Company, Mount Vernon, Ohio, 1898. The "Combined History and Atlas of Monroe County, Ohio" was reprinted and is available from the Monroe County Historical Society.

John Wetzel, the elder, was killed near Captina, in 1777, on his return from Middle Island creek. He and a companion were in a canoe, paddling slowly near the shore. They were fired upon by a party of Indians, and Wetzel was shot through the body. Feeling himself mortally wounded, he directed his companion to lie down in the canoe, while he (Wetzel) so long as strength remained, would paddle the frail vessel beyond the reach of the savages. In this way, he saved the life of his friend, while his own was ebbing fast. He died soon after reaching the shore, at Baker's Station, and his humble grave can still be seen near the site of that primitive fortress. A rough stone marks the spot, bearing the rude, but perfectly distinct characters, "J.W., 1787." .

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