HISTORY OF JOHN CROW
From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"
Vol. I, pages 690-691.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.
JOHN CROW
John Crow was the first of the family to fall victim to the Indians. In August, 1779, Frederick, Martin and John, went to Wetzel county, this state, to hunt. After being there one night or more, they got up in the morning and went down to the creek (Fishing creek), and while absent, Indians came and secreted themselves in the camp the others had left. One of the boys had killed a wild duck, which he carried with him. Frederick and Martin returned to camp, while John staid behind. When the first two named came, one threw the duck in the camp, when the Indians arose and fired one bullet, cutting the tip of Martin's ear, and another striking Frederick under the arm, making a flesh wound from which the blood flowed freely. They ran up the creek bottom some distance, jumped over the bank, and crossing safely, they got separated, and did not get together till the next day. John, not knowing what the shooting meant came running, when a number of the Indians fired at once. Five balls entered his breast, in the size of one's hand. Frederick and Martin got home the second day. The third day a squad of men went to hunt John, and found him dead near the camp with his throat cut. A grave was dug in the creek bottom with sharp sticks and hunting knives. A box or coffin was prepared by felling a tree and splitting four "puncheons," one for each side, and one for bottom and top. His age and death were cut on a tree near by the grave.
(Linda Fluharty)
