Transcript
Narrator: As white settlers pushed westward, a religious movement swept through Indian villages in the Ohio valley. Indian prophets urged their people to resume a traditional way of life, to observe sacred rituals, and regain the power to take back their land.
Militant Shawnees recruited Cherokees, Mingos and Delawares to join them in a united Indian front, and began attacking white surveyors on the Ohio.
Bands of whites crossed the river and raided Indian villages.
“The Virginians in this part of the country seem determined to make war with the Indians at any rate. But one half of this country is ruined for all intents and purposes, which only a few months ago, was in flourishing way.” Deborah Smith
Narrator: On the night of April 30, 1774, a group of settlers led by Daniel Greathouse lured eight Indians to the east bank of the Ohio with the promise of free liquor. After drinking together for several hours, the whites suddenly attacked their guests.
Allen Eckert, historian: The Greathouse party fell on them and terribly massacred them. Shot all the men, bludgeoned and stabbed and otherwise desecrated the women, disemboweled them, hung them from the trees
Narrator: The murders shocked Colonial leaders. In the Virginia House of Burgesses, Delegate Thomas Jefferson called the act inhuman and indecent. The Royal Governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, said the event was marked with an extraordinary degree of cruelty. But he did nothing to bring the murderers to justice.
Among the victims were the brother and sister of a Mingo leader named Logan. A baptized Christian, Logan was a friend of many whites and an outspoken advocate of peace. One fur trader called Logan ‘the best specimen of humanity I ever met.’
“I appeal to any white man to say if ever he entered Logan’s cabin hungry and he gave him not meat; if ever he came cold and naked and he clothed him not. In cold blood, unprovoked, men murdered all the relations of Logan, not even sparing my women and children. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one.” Logan
