INTERESTING EVENTS IN DAYS OF FIRST SETTLERS
April 28, 1911 -- Moundsville Echo

Submitted by Colette Trader.

 
Among the streams of water in Marshall County that are in some
manner connected with events in the history of early settlements of the
country, are a few runs.

Boggs Run, which flows into the Ohio River at Benwood, received its
name from Captain Boggs, who settled on the bottom near it soon after
the Zanes and others settled at Wheeling. Captain Boggs and family took
refuge at Fort Henry in time of danger and were at the fort much of the
year 1781 and also 1782. Very early in 1782 they left the farm and went
to the fort or remained at it through the winter of 1781. In February
of 1782, there was a warm open spell of weather called by the early
settlers “powwowing” weather. So-called from the gathering of Indian
chiefs and warriors together during such weather to hold councils
and consider expeditions against their enemies.

Hugh Cameron and another young man in the employ of Captain Boggs
were at work on the farm and at the time mentioned they were engaged in
making maple sugar. Boggs warned them to be extremely careful about
Indians as he was suspicious that some of them might appear during the
open weather. He instructed them to keep a close watch for danger. As
they would remain at the camp all night to keep the sugar water boiling
he requested them never both to sleep at the same time, but one to keep
watch while the other slept. 

They felt safe as no Indians had appeared nor had there been any alarm
of them and both men lay down one night and were soon sound asleep.
They were attacked by Indians and Cameron was killed. The other young
man escaped in the darkness and reached Fort Henry in safety. Cameron’s
body was not found for some time and when found, had been decapitated.
The head was found sometime afterwards a distance up the run and was
identified by a peculiar tooth.

McMechen’s Run, not far below Boggs Run, received its name in honor
of William McMechen, who built a cabin and took up a tract of fine land
on the bottom through which the run flows.

A band of Indians on one of their horse-stealing forays into the
settlement, stole every horse Mr. McMechen owned. He started on foot
after the redskins with the intention to regain his horses or know just
why.

Bear in mind that he started alone into the Indian country after a
number of them. He followed them almost to the lakes but failed to
recapture his horses. He was gone so long that his wife despaired of
his return, believing he had been killed by the Indians. She removed
the family and negro slaves to the Monongahela near Redstone and when
Mr. McMechen returned he found the place deserted. He learned where
they had gone and was soon with his family.

They remained at Redstone some time as it was a much safer place than
on the banks of the Ohio River.