Ohio Was Like That. The Story Of Lewis Wetzel, Whom The Indians Called "Gun Always Loaded," And His Message To Ohioans

RAY EVANS JR.

Publication: Privately printed, n d (ca 1955), NP

23 1/2" x 14 1/2" black & white original rendering for what was a newspaper of magazine column. In the right hand margin is an inked presentation inscription, "To Ray Taylor with best regards, Ray Evans Jr." There are six separate scenes of the story of Lewis Wetzel, who when very young was captured along with his brother, Jacob, in a raid by the Indians. The Indians killed their father during the raid and later, when the brothers escaped and returned home, they found their home burned and the rest of their family dead. Lewis vowed he would kill every Indian he saw. Because he was so young the soldiers of Fort Harrison laughed when he asked to become a scout, but they soon learned he was fearless and wise in the ways of the Indians. He made good his vow to kill all Indian warriors although he always spared squaws and children. He was able to load his musket while on the run and he earned from the Indians the nickname of GUN ALWAYS LOADED. In 1875 Wetzel ignored General Harmar's order to stop shooting Indians, he was imprisoned by his own countrymen. But he escaped and carried on his fight to clear Ohio of Indians. He was not only an Indian killer but also a man who wanted peace for the white man and he carved into a large rock near McConnellsville the following message, "Enjoy the peace I have prepared for you. Lew Wetzel, Born Vir. Feb the 20, 1757." This is number 12 in an apparent series of original drawings to provide a bit of historical insight of pioneers and events in early Ohio. A few tiny pin holes to the top margin and lightly soiled, but overall a very good copy of an original art rendering with none of the described faults affecting the images.

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