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LOGAN, John, Indian chief, born about 1725; killed near Lake Erie in the
summer of 1780. He was the son of Shikellamy, chief of the Cayugas, and bore the
Indian name of Tah-gah-jute, but was given an English name taken from that of
William Penn's secretary, James Logan, who was a friend of the Indians. Logan
was brought up on Shamokin creek, near the Moravian settlement, and lived in
familiar and friendly intercourse with the whites. In his early manhood he was
known throughout the frontier of Virginia and Pennsylvania for his fine presence
and his engaging qualities. He lived for many years near Reedsville,
Pennsylvania, where he supported his family by killing wild animals in the
mountains and dressing the skins in the Indian fashion to be sold to the whites.
He was there chosen by the Mingoes as their chief. About 1770 he removed to the
banks of the Ohio, where he became addicted to drinking. In the spring of 1774
his family were massacred by settlers on the Ohio while carousing in the cabin
of a trader. Logan sent a declaration of war to Michael Cresap, whom he
supposed, though wrongfully, to have ordered the massacre, and then at once
instigated a war against the scattered settlers of the far west, and for several
months fearful barbarities were perpetrated upon men, women, and children. He
himself took thirty scalps in the course of the war, which terminated after a
severe defeat of the Indians at the mouth of the Great Kanawha. He disdained to
appear among the chiefs who subsequently sued for peace. Lord Dunmore, the
governor of Virginia, sent John Gibson as his messenger to invite the old chief
to attend the council; but the latter took Gibson into the woods, and, after
tearfully recounting the story of his wrongs, sent back the following message:
"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.
During the course of the last long and bloody war Logan remained idle in his
cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites that my countrymen
pointed as they passed and said: ' Logan is the friend of the white men.' I had
even thought to have lived with you but for the injuries of one man. Colonel
Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood and unprovoked, murdered all the
relations of Logan, not even sparing my women and children. There runs not a
drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for
revenge. I have sought it ; I have killed many; I have fully glutted my
vengeance. For my country I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not harbor a
thought that mine is the joy of fear; Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on
his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one." His habits
of intemperance grew upon him after this, and while frenzied with liquor he
felled his wife by a sudden blow. Thinking that he had killed her he fled, and
while traversing the wilderness between Detroit and Sandusky was overtaken by a
party of Indians. Supposing his avengers at hand, he prepared to attack them,
and was killed by a nephew in self-defence. Logan's pathetic speech was repeated
by Gibson to Lord Dunmore. it was written down by an officer, printed in .the
"Virginia Gazette," and has been preserved by Thomas Jefferson in his "Notes on
Virginia." See "Ta-gah-jute, or Logan, the Indian, and Captain Michael Cresap,"
by Brantz Mayer (New York, 1867).
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