Throughout his childhood Logan (Tachnechdorus) attained advantageous values and social etiquette. He also formed alliances among white settlers, one particular ally was a Quaker identified as James Logan. Not only did James Logan provide Tachnechdorus with his moniker but also educated him, until he later befriended the future war leader. However, it was after one unprovoked fatal incident involving other colonists that Logan, who once considered the white people as his allies, quickly changed his opinion of them.
Hostility soon erupted within this once diplomatic, unbiased and compassionate man. This incident contributed to the existing conflict between two distinct cultures becoming the major cause of Logan to get vengeance. What fateful event influenced Logan to transform his perception of the white man? Tachnechdorus, translated from the Indian language means “spreading oak,” was born in 1725, into the Mingo tribe also went by the name Logan . His mother was of Cuyaga descent and his father was an Iroquois leader.
The second eldest son of Shickellamy Logan grew into a brave and well-respected leader among the Mingo tribe. Fortunately, Logan’s birth occurred during a period of security and mutual reverence between the Native Americans and Caucasians. As a result, he matured in the company of the whites and considered them his friends. It was because of this consideration that attributed to his people’s traditional alliance . The Iroquois or Mingo was residing around eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania during this time.
During1770, Logan, who was around 45 years old decided to move his family from Pennsylvania to Ohio7. Following this move he became a chief amid the Mingo community. Despite being a war leader of the Mingo Indians Logan often conveyed to his native peers to refrain from attacking the settlers in the Ohio region, though this principle would soon change. An unprovoked violent act executed by Cresap’s men, proliferated unrelentingly across the area, culminating in an event that, even by frontier principles, became distinguished by its callous vindictiveness.
During 1773, Logan and some of his cohorts established a community thirty miles north of Wheeling, close to the opening of Yellow Creek (near existing Wellsville, Ohio)8. Logan and his father Shickellamy were well-known all along the western border for their tenacious allegiance with the British. For instance, through the course of the Seven Years War, Shickellamy and his family sought protection at Thomas McKee’s barter store9.
Nonetheless, Logan’s family and local business owner Joshua Baker had resided across the river from one another, living peacefully since the arrival of Logan and the Mingos. However, in early May 1774, this peaceful situation would cease to exist. An unfortunate event initiated by a band of Virginians, managed by Daniel Greathouse, methodically persuaded ten members of the Mingo community to Baker’s barter store. It was here, during the lapse of an afternoon, that each member was murdered10. Among those killed included a few members of Logan’s close relatives; his mother, brother and sister11.
Though, existing accounts of the incident vary the misfortune is considered to have commenced a day earlier with the murder of two Mingos. Furious over the killing’s several tribesmen traveled over the Ohio to Baker’s tavern and trading post where the group of whites headed by Greathouse appeared and supplied them with whiskey12. As the Mingos were in an inebriated state, Greathouse and his men killed the Indians13. Their slaughter turned Logan, an old ally, into a merciless adversary, capturing around thirteen scalps in retribution 14.
Logan became infuriated and sought revenge. Insistent that fellow Mingos and their allies, primarily the Shawnee Indians seek vengeance for the murders of his family members. However, Cornstalk, one of the prominent leaders of the Shawnee tribe, continued to use peace. Logan disregarded Cornstalks approach and began attacking the white communities along the frontier. He executed raids in western Pennsylvania, killing the thirteen settlers whose scalp’s he obtained in retaliation 15.
Subsequently, it is suggested that those raids by Logan culminated Lord Dunmore’s War. Although the English ultimately conquered the Native Americans, both sides assembled in Chillicothe to set up peace conditions. Logan declined to attend, but sent a speech known as “Logan’s Lament” which became one of the most recognized speeches in American history by a Native American16. In any case, it was sad to learn that he spent the rest of his life thwarting white settlers from inhabiting the Ohio region.
Throughout the American Revolution, Logan continued his raids against white communities in Pennsylvania17. As for Colonel Cresap, eventually he faced charges resulting in a trial for the killings of Logan’s family, though, the court found him innocent of the crimes18. Consequently, a tragic event altered the life of a prominent leader who once lived peacefully among the white settlers. Formerly, acknowledging them as his allies and friends. After a misfortune took the lives of his loved ones, prematurely, Logan became a revenge seeking and dejected person.
He continued with his raids toward the white settlers until 1780, until his death near Detroit. He died a resentful man whose existence was never the same following the death of his relatives. Although, it remains uncertain some claim that it was Logan’s nephew who killed him. Regardless, his life ceased to exist by the hands of another Native American. The Iroquois people were exceptionally proud to raise a chief like Tachnechdorus, who exhibited courage and bravery during his life.