The Story of Lewis Wetzel (1763-1808) Hero or Villain? 

I could listen to you tell stories all day. Thank you.

Wetzel has always been one of my favorite historical characters he gave no quarter and expected none and we all know the irish can always tell a good tale and sing a good song. This was excellent!

Ya caught me flat footed with that voice M8! I stand and tip me hat to you Sir......ATB

Im his great great great granddaughter. All of this is accurate and true. I won’t start to say that anyone in my family is proud because we don’t talk about him but everything in this video is true. I appreciate the accuracy and I’ll speak for my family members too.

Great video, Peter! Wetzel was a good man. I'm reading all that I can find about the man. Thanks for posting!

As always, I was captivated from start to finish! Your delivery, calmness, and passion to whatever you do reels me in. Keep doing what you’re doing, sir!

i have allways noted that people who are never in dangerous sitituations,times and places are very quick to judge people who are i saw this when i came back from the war without men like wetzel these same people would never be able to survive thanks for a excellent story

Gordon Lightfoot eat your heart out!!! Well played sir, you have a voice!! Great yarn about an interesting character too. Ever thought about writing a book - even just 'wee' anecdotes?? A best seller in that head of yours.

A true warrior , God bless lew Wetzel , he has been a hero to me His teachings helped me through Viet Nam

If you have ever been out to a burning ranch house after a raid, you will understand why he is a hero. Hannah Duston was the first woman immortalized by a statue, unfortunately today in a world where people mindlessly repeat that it is a religion of peace and women can't have a restroom to themselves, her story is forbidden to speak about.

I'm from WV and Lew has always been a hero around here lol, we've got a county named for him and a big state forest hunting preserve. There's still a bunch of his families descendants up in Marshall county all the way down the Ohio river to pleasants county, half of them have either their first or middle name "Lewis" lol. I'm a union boilermaker and travel all over the state working on power plants and work with a couple wetzels. After reading That Dark and Bloody River as a teenager, meeting folks later in life from the WV side of the Ohio river named wetzel was pretty cool. (Also know a bunch of Hatfields and McCoys lol, never met a Hatfield I didn't like or a McCoy I did).

Took a treacherous hike to Wetzel's rock with my kids in Blue Rock OH a few years back while renting a cabin in the area. Took two attempts on two different stays but we found it. Its not a park and is on private property. Hosts were very nice and proud of the landmark. I think mostly folklore but was fun! Thanks for the wee bit of history I always enjoy.

Very Nicely told. Live in Beaver County PA. Hunt Wetzel County WV. Allways have been intrigued by his story.

Wow. Nice voice. You definitely should sing more!! Thank you for the video. You're history stories bring them to life and make history much more fascinating.

I wouldn't want to be to quick to judge Lewis, if I had encountered things in my life, as he did in his,maybe there go I. Nice singing Peter, enjoyed the song, have a Good Evening Friend 🙂.

Peter, You are a very talented and interesting man. A storyteller and a singer and I enjoy all your videos as I learn something from each and everyone!

Great story of someone I have missed hearing about. Thank you for the interesting peek into history. That's a decent singing voice you have there!

Very interesting. It is easy to judge people today but you have to do it through the lens of their time not ours. Well sung too by the way.

Zane Gray brought me here. Wetzel has a great story! Thank you for helping spread the word.

Wonderful story and well narrated!

A Man with many talents ... That was a very interesting story and great song. I believe I would of listen a lot more in history class if you would of been the teacher !!

Well now, you're a man of hidden talents; well sung! In addition of your 'Wee bits of history', I would welcome hearing more of your musical efforts; you might even title the segment "Peter the Picker Plucked a Peck of Pleasant Poems'! lol

Thank you Peter for keeping your word about pulling out your guitar! Well worth the wait! This has to equal up with your finest vids! Everything was beautiful.

Interestingly told story and nice job singing and playing the guitar Peter, the song and the way you sang it reminded me of Gordon Lightfoot.

Has anyone told you that your singing sounds like Gordon Lightfoot? Just Beautiful! I really enjoyed it.

Peter, you never cease to amaze me! In addition to all of your amazing talents (that I was aware of), you now add talented musician to the list! Being from SOUTHERN OH, Simon Kenton has always been my hero, along with Tecumseh. While I could never county Wetzel as a hero, he is nonetheless less an interesting character of history. Thanks for sharing!!

My 4th great uncle Col Richard "Shawtunte" Sparks was taken by the Shawnee from near his family's cabin on the Youghigehney River in 1760, at age 3, and was adopted by the father of Tecumseh and lived with the Shawnee till age 21. He was repatriated after the Shawnee defeat at Point Pleasant in Lord Dunsmores War. He went on to scout for General St Claire and Gen Anthony Wayne. His advice was ignored by St Claire to his men's peril. Gen Anthony Wayne heeded his advice from his scouting and won at Fallen Timbers. He was told to be the best Bush fighter in the entire Army by fellow Captain Merriweather Lewis, also the Captain of a company of Riflemen. In a war department letter, between Gen Anthony Wayne and Secretary of War Henry Knox, Gen Wayne said this. " We were at the Beaver Blockhouse, (near present day Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania) and a hostile appeared about 400 yds distant." " At which time, Captain Sparks raised his rifle and fired. The results were not good for the Savage!"

I always love a wee bit of history and this was particularly interesting. What a devil of a man. Great song too Peter and that choir of coyotes to close it out.

Great story and yet another talent. You are quite the singer. Enjoyed that!! Thank you!!

You're a great singer. How did he die so young. I read Spirit of the Border nearly 40 years ago as a boy. One of the best books I ever read, unforgettable.

Fantastic! I have been waiting for this story. Thank you for sharing.

Very nice playing and singing. Great addition to your wonderful story telling.

very good Sir thank you

Lewis wetzel was one of my one of my relatives traced back on my mother's side of the family ( Bonnett ). might be the reason I've always loved the woods and hunting.

Always enjoy the wee bits of history. My son and I drove about central Pa and parts of NY visiting a lot of the 1760's French and Indian war frontier fortification markers along the rivers and streams. Many set up in the 1920's and 30s' on lonely, isolated roads. Most of the so-called forts were little more than log huts. The listings of killed and captive are significant. As you said atrocities on both sides, but the Indians generally held to treaties until settler encroachment pushed them to fight. A part of history that gets short changed in our schools. When does the Peters greatest hits album get released :) I enjoyed the song. Nice to hear if your camping ...

What a great story and serenade. Peter, you are a man of many talents. I loved the cries of the coyotes at the end of the video. It is a cool, overcast, rainy day here. This video was a perfect complement to a contemplative morning. Bravo!

Martin Wetzel is said to have been able to sink a nail with a musket. Now that's a tricky shot! I grew up in Wetzel county. My family were late comers, getting there in the general area in the 1840's. Lewis was said to have jumped Proctor Creek at one point. I don't know how wide it was before they put the locks and dams in, but that's pretty impressive!

Sweet Jesus, thst wad fascinating, and I LOVED the song and your singing!!! Thank you!

What a wonderful surprise upload! Story and music. Wow, you did such a wonderful job at both. Bravo, you give your viewers such a wide variety of entertainment! A man of many talents you are, Thanks, Peter👍

we live in an incredibly safe and comfortable society now. People can never begin to imagine how violent America was back then. With that in mind, It always amazes me that society will label someone a "Hero" when their life and love one's are under threat. But as soon as they are safe again. They will label that person as an outlaw, criminal or villain.

That was an incredible story, loved it. Absolutely fascinating! Also, nice guitar work and voice. 👍

Love all your content! Keep up the good work!

I love hearing your historical stories! Please keep ‘em coming. Thank you!

Please, please, please more stories and now singing!!!

My hands R sore from clapping! My word Peter! You do have a myriad of talents to share with us...WELL DONE! And U dear Catherine, keep us entertained with lovely filming...I thank U kindly 4 this vid. THAT was quite a story/character! I have to say I pity Lewis (and all the poor ones he brought to early graves!). My take is that this being SUCH a period of hostility/violence, that the peoples who had 2 endure, near lived on pure adrenaline! Fear seemed to rule from dawn to dusk and when sleep came it was best done with 'one eye open' = YIKES! Kind of like the animals who must begin to run when born to escape predators. I think we would have 2 know Lewis' father, in order 2 understand the 'why' of Lewis' passions. The only speak of God, was to acknowledge the 'giver of life' 4 the years he would be 'allowed' 2 kill. Makes me think that Lewis 'deeply' admired his father. Like the young I have seen in Israel. By the age of 3 their parents teach them 2 hate and fight against their neighbors and R applauded 4 doing so. Was this the case of Lewis? He shows a compassionate side in liking the company of young children and animals = innocence. This is a good character trait. There's more here methinks, than just a 'tormented soul'...and if we had more on his father...we might know the 'why' behind Lewis. Fascinating story and wonderfully recounted...sure beats 'trick or treating! LOL! Here's something poor Lewis lost..."When you're good to others, you're best to yourself." (Benjamin Franklin) Health and God Bless!

You have a nice voice! I love the song.

Seeing your talk on Lewis Wetzel reminded me of another Appalachian frontiersman that lived at the same time named Jesse Hughes. He was very much like Wetzel in his skills and also his hatred of the Natives. It's said he discovered and named the Hughes river in WV. I like the music in your videos. Is it available anywhere?

That was an impeccable vid Peter and Catherine, "Top Notch", barring the small error on the birth date! I loved every minute of it. I am really enjoying the drone shots. It adds so much atmosphere to the vid. Also enjoyed the closing sequence with what appeared to me to be coyote howling! Hope they stop before bedtime! :) Seems I heard that song before while sipping a single malt with you!! Cheers mate!

Im from Harrison county West Virginia, next to Wetzel county, named for Lewis Wetzel. When i walk my wooded ridge on my land i often wonder what may have happened there between Indians and whites. It has a saddle i have called the Hickory Flat since the late 80's when I was a teen, long before i brought the place. Its a perfect place to camp and im sure it was used for camping long ago. Nothing like the West Virginia woods! The Indian lifestyle was more in line with how i would have wanted to and now try to live. But these woods were definitely worth fighting them for.

Arent you just full of surprises!!!!!!! And he sings to. And a real good job of it. Good show, story great.

My ancestors settled in Lancaster in 1741. Later on, 4 of the family's children were taken captive in a native raid. Wetzel may have contributed to the situation in which they were later released. 265 children were released at the end of the French and Indian war.

Great song commemorating a great frontiersman..from a Australian admirer .

Great story and song, the lyrics paint a grim but beautiful picture. Plus, you do a fine job on the music and singing. Thanks for sharing, good luck and God bless.

Peter, great story on Lewis Wetzel! What we learn as very young children definitely has a major impact on how we perceive and interact with the larger world. Half my family are Catholic Irish from here in the US and southern Ireland. Half are Scots-Irish Protestants from Northern Ireland - with other protestants and Native American mixed in. The point is, I was in Ireland in the late 1980s and came across several Catholic priests and other clergy with a group of 7-10 year old Irish children, talking about how Protestants are the Devil and are evil and not to be trusted, etc. It definitely had an effect on me as a 18-20 year old! That influence of what our parents, teachers, etc. tell us today that we are taught to believe and accept unquestioning is even more prevalent today in our current hyper-partisan and biased world. But, the positive side is that as many interact more with those they claim to hate there's often a lot of common ground recognized, to the point where some redeem themselves I think. Looking at your Romford-type fireplace made me think of those in an 1803 house I'm moving into. I've been taught to set Rumford fires with the logs vertically against the back of the fireplace, in a tipi-type of stack, to better burn more cleanly efficiently, and produce more heat into the room. Have you tried that on yours and if so, how did you find it to work? Thanks as always for the great history story's!

Awesome many thanks for posting, the song was great.

You have some excellent content. It'dbe interesting to hear you do a similar video on Sam Brady. I named my son Brady. We all call him Capt Sam Brady... He's only 9 months 😊 I'm a 10th generation PA boy who loves flintlocks, and I just started through your videos. 👍

Hey Peter good looking Taylor, like the song too. (Old guy from Arkansas)🇺🇸Story was great.

I really enjoy your past history stories and I really love your singing the historical accounts of such stories!!!! Do you have a musical playlist or a download or a way to purchase your music? You have a tremendous voice, Sir!

I saw lewis wetzel and clicked liked immediately before even watching . Very fascinating Man.

Great video Peter. I love the tid bits of history.

Very good, hate is a canker, to bad he was infected at such an earlier age. Enjoyed the song , good voice!

Fantastic video Peter!!! Fair job singing as well!! Enjoyed it. Loved the end.🐾🎃✌🏻

That was cool I'm from West Virginia around the Charleston area and all my ancestors were mountain men and wemon,I am I rock n roll fanatic and folk music also ,man talkin' bout killin' , my good man you just killed that song! That was really good pickin' and singin' ! ( Long live the mountaineer) haaahaah good stuff! Def worth the 20 minutes on RU-vid! You've got a knack fer this you should make more of these about other mountaineers like Jesse Hughes and so on!

Hey Peter! The Wetzels stand pretty tall in the early days of Indiana. I think Lew was a product of the tough, tragic times, area, and culture he was born into. I believe that it is unfair to try and impose the morals of today upon those who lived in the past. Hero or villain? Oddly enough, the answer I have come up with is both AND neither. There is an inscription on a rock ledge in Eastern Ohio, one of Lew's favorite ambush sites, that says, "I hope you enjoy the peace that I have provided. Lew Wetzel." Great song that was performed well!

Impressive vocals Peter; reminiscent of Gordon Lightfoot

Musician, another one of your many talents, 👏👏👏👏👏Very enjoyable.

He sings and plays guitar as well? What’s next self surgery in the field? Great story and some Peter!

Amazing. That tune is very haunting, too.

That was very nice, please more, I only know of wetzel from Zane Grey !!!

Dang man is there not any you can't do???? Nice singing and playing......

One cannot go wrong with a Taylor and a good story to be told ! Félicitation mon Ami !

Great bit of history. You sound like Pete Seger when you sing

This was a great one, Peter!

Really enjoyed your story and the playing and singing! You are a man of so many talents!!

Love the history

Depending which side of the fence you are on, a frontier farmer then he was a hero, a native american, a villain. At that time the native american's had a warrior culture and often ambushed and raided settlers without warning, murdering whole families. Today's politically correct criticism of him and defense of native's only defending their land is mirrored today and can be labeled as terrorism, he was the product of his time plain and simple.

Great history lesson and loved the song!

He was a master woodsman

I’ve never met or even heard of another person that knows who Lewis Wetzel was let alone do a video on the guy. I’m knew to your channel but I’m already a fan of what you’re doing sir. Keep it up ! Love it !!

Hero or Villain, you have to be there to know. No way to take our soft lives and look back and judge people of that time. 200 men that showed up to stand up for him is a pretty strong answer to the question.

Wow, you are here history, almost like you were there . Thank you....

Must be one of my ancestors 😢

Wetzel sure was an interesting man. Thanks for sharing another wee bit o history Peter. The song was a nice surprise. Now I think you should record a few tracks to use on your channel!

I love storytelling!!!

Amazing!

Thank you for this. My grandmother was a Martin and was related to Presley who New Martinsville was named after

Appreciate your efforts and dedication! As you said at the beginning, the brutality of both sides was horrific. Only my personal perspective, but invading force or defensive force makes a deference to me. Defense of your way of life, livelihood and culture is hard for me to find fault. Invasion for land and resources with disregard for life is hard to justify. Just my personal and honest opinion. On a side note, I have never had an ear for music. My musical deficiency probably has more to do with a lack of discipline than anything else. I do enjoy it and know talent when I hear it. Music is another talent that you can add to your growing list. Thanks again and keep your powder dry!

That has to be one of the more stirring wee-bit-of history lessons you have given. Enjoyed the song. I feel sad for Wetzel in a way. It seems he was a victim of his surroundings yet he could have changed his ways and learned to love also. That is what they call the free will of man. You look at figures in biblical times such as Samson who was a ferocious killer and warrior who sought vengeance on the philistines and yet we understand at the end if his life he made peace with God in his last destructive act killing yet again as he destroyed the temple and himself along with it. Fascinating stuff to ponder.

It's a very interesting story Peter, I especially liked with a fire burning in the background, listening to the wonderfully played and sung song you sang, you did a great job. Thank you both for making our lives more golden.

Love your history lessons, great way to end it.

Nice story Peter .... When I saw the title I said " I know that name " ... when were how ?????? maybe I met him ....LOL I thought the guitar was in the USA in 1830 from Italy and earlier in Canada ? ..... I will google it .... Use to play long time ago ... the same one as you have ! Taylor Like the song and the singing .... will listen again .

You have a great voice.

What a song ! Great job Peter!

I just found a gem of a channel, good stuff!

that was so cool. I really liked it.

Now that's a wee bit of history! Great story. I suspect Wetzel was another wounded soul, and a product of his world to an extent. Thanks for sharing. Creepy coyotes at the end. Woulda been great for Halloween!

Good song and performance Peter.

8:59 I never heard about this skills. Unbelievable !

My grand mom is a wetzel. She was very small, but scared me. I once was playing a Robert Plant cd as I drove her to ocean city. She said, “ turn that rap music off” . I did so without an argument immediately.

Oh my gosh you do it all even sing!!