Girty's Island Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Handyman & Fam: I love this trail. I'll put another here someday, but not today. [:(]

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Hidden : 1/18/2010
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

You must approach this cache from the west. Please park at the parking coordinates. You do NOT have permission to cross the footbridge to the east of this cache.

This cache is located within sight of Girty's Island, on the Buckeye Trail. The island has changed a lot since this picture was taken, in the early years of the 20th century.



Girty's Island, and nearby Girty's Point were named after the notorious renegade, Simon Girty.



Simon Girty came from Pennsylvania, where his father had emigrated from Ireland. The elder Girty was beastly intemperate and nothing rated higher in his estimation than a jug of whiskey. His sottishness turned his wife against him and a neighboring rustic knocked him over the head and took Mrs. Girty with him, leaving four sons, Thomas, Simon, George, and James. The latter three were taken prisoner by the Indians in Braddock's War. Simon's father died on Girty's Run near Pittsburgh in 1820. Simon was adopted by the Senecas and became an expert hunter. Being adopted by the Indians, he joined them in their wars and conformed to their usages. This was the education he had received, so their foes were his foes, and he forsook the Americans and fought with the Indians. Simon never learned to read or write, but he became an Indian interpreter, and was always known as a unrelenting barbarian, but he had one good point - when he made a promise, he kept it.

The once notorious Simon Girty resided five miles above Napoleon at a place still called Girty's Point. His cabin was on the bank of the Maumee River a few rods west of the residence of Elijah Gunn. All traces of his habitation have been destroyed by agriculture and a fine farm now surrounds the spot.

On the beautiful island called Girty's Island, opposite his trading post, was where he would retire when he was apprehensive of a surprise, as a tiger to his jungle, with almost absolute security from his pursuers. This was possible because the island consisted of 40 acres of dense forest.

Later in life, ill and suffering much pain, Simon's one wish was that he might die in battle. This wish was granted when he fought in Proctor's Defeat and was killed by Col. Johnson's men.
Taken from "The history of Flatrock Township" published 1972

The following is a quote that does not glamorize Simon Girty. It is taken from "History of the Girty's" written by Consul W. Butterfield, published in 1890.

"No other country or age, ever produced, perhaps , so brutal, depraved, and wicked a wretch as Simon Girty. He was sagacious and brave; but his sagacity and bravery only made him a greater monster of cruelty. All of the vices of civilization seemed to center in him, and by him were ingrafted upon those of either. He moved about through the Indian country during the Revolution and the Indian war which followed, a dark whirlwind of fury, desperation and barbarity. In the refinements of torture inflicted on helpless prisoners as compared with the Indians, he 'out-heroded Herod.' In treachery he stood unrivaled. There ever rankled in his bosom a most deadly hatred of his country. He seemed to revel in the very excess of malignity toward his associates. So horrid was his wild ferocity and savageness, that the least relenting seemed to be acts of positive goodness--luminous sparks in the very blackness of darkness!"

History disputes the fact as to whether Girty died in battle. But it is known that he lived the last years of his life in Canada. There are many conflicting stories as to whether Simon Girty was a hero or a savage.

You are looking for a small Lock & Lock. It is about 2.75 miles, round trip, to this cache, from the parking coordinates. Any indications of cache seekers approaching this cache from the footbridge to the east will have their log deleted without notice. Enjoy the beautiful trip and make sure to grab the other caches along the trail.






CONGRATS TO THunter FOR THE FTF!!!!!!!

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