Lewis Wetzel facts for kids

Lewis Wetzel (1763–1808) was a famous American scout and frontiersman. He was known for his amazing skills in the wilderness. People called him "Death Wind" because he was so fast and skilled. He was about 5 feet 10 inches tall and had very long dark brown hair. Lewis was an expert with a knife and a tomahawk. He was also very good with a rifle. He could even load and fire his rifle while running at full speed! Lewis grew up in what is now West Virginia. His adventures were often compared to those of Daniel Boone.

Early Life and Family

Lewis Wetzel was born in 1763, possibly in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His parents were Mary Bonnet and John Wetzel. The Wetzel family moved to the Wheeling Creek area around 1770. This area is now part of West Virginia. Many other pioneer families also settled there.

The Wetzel family lived in a quiet spot near the Ohio River. It was about 14 miles from Fort Henry. This fort was built to protect settlers from attacks. Life on the frontier was hard. The Wetzel family faced many challenges. Several of Lewis's brothers and sisters grew up there. Sadly, the family experienced many attacks from Native American tribes. These attacks became more frequent after some important events in the 1770s.

Lewis's father, John, and his brother George died in attacks in 1786. This happened before Lewis was 25 years old. These events greatly influenced Lewis's life as a frontiersman. His older brother, Martin, was also a skilled fighter. He helped defend Fort Henry. His younger brother, Jacob, later helped build a road into central Indiana.

A Skilled Frontiersman

In 1778, when Lewis was 13, he and his brother Jacob, 11, were captured by Wyandot Native Americans. They were working in their family's cornfield. Lewis was grazed by a bullet during the capture. But the boys managed to escape two days later. They made their way back to Fort Henry.

Lewis grew up to be a tall and athletic man. He was known for never cutting his hair. It grew very long and he often wore it in a ponytail. He became famous for his skills in what is now called guerrilla warfare. This means fighting using surprise attacks and quick movements.

Lewis Wetzel was known for his ability to load his rifle while running. He might have kept bullets in his mouth to do this quickly. This skill probably saved his life many times during attacks.

Lewis was a scout on several military trips against Native American tribes in the Ohio region. He often preferred to work alone. He was not a fan of strict military rules.

Later in his life, Lewis Wetzel moved to the Louisiana Territory. He eventually went to New Orleans. He spent some time in prison there for making fake money.

Death and Legacy

Lewis Wetzel resting place, McCreary Cemetery, Marshall County, WV

There are different stories about Lewis Wetzel's last years. He did not have any known children. However, some of his nieces and nephews were named after him. Most people believe Lewis Wetzel died in 1808 in Natchez, Mississippi. He was staying at his cousin Philip Sykes's home. A skeleton matching Lewis's description was found at Sykes's old farm. It was reburied in the McCreary Cemetery in Marshall County, West Virginia.

Lewis Wetzel is remembered in West Virginia. Wetzel County, West Virginia, is named after him or his family. The Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area is also named in his honor. Historical markers in West Virginia mention the Wetzel family and Lewis Wetzel.

Many writers have featured Lewis Wetzel in their books. The Western novelist Zane Grey wrote about him in Betty Zane and The Spirit of the Border. Another author, Allan W. Eckert, also wrote about Wetzel's adventures in That Dark and Bloody River.