The death of Captain Wells by Dougall, Allan H., Publication date 1958, on Archive.org. FOREWORD The character of William Wells remains an enigma, for his life has long been obscured by conflicting accounts of his role in Indian affairs. At one time, William Henry Harrison, governor of the Indiana Territory, thought him untrustworthy and believed that he should be removed from his position as Indian agent. Wells often appeared to his contemporaries as a turncoat and a traitor to his own people because of his sympathy with the red men. Other accounts, chiefly by his military associates, are earnest tributes to his strength and valor. Captain Allan H. Dougall, author of the following article, considered Wells only a "celebrated Indian fighter. "Captain Dougall relates the death of Wells at the Massacre of Fort Dearborn, on the site of the present city of Chicago. His account first appeared in the FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE, December 18, 1887. The Boards and the Staff of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County reprint the item in the hope that it will interest and inform local readers. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation have been changed to conform to current usage.
Namesake for Wells Street. Remembered with the William Wells Celebration starting in August 2010. Text below was from
Wells Street festival celebrates namesake by Aaron Organ published August 7, 2010 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
"adopted son of famous Miami Indian chief Little Turtle who would go on to serve as a spy for city namesake Gen. Anthony Wayne. As an 11-year-old boy, Wells was found in Kentucky during a Miamian raid of settlers. According to lore, Wells vigorously fought off the Miami, prompting Little Turtle to intervene and order the boy not be harmed, but taken hostage. Soon later, Little Turtle adopted the young Wells. As a man, Wells asked to leave the tribe, which Little Turtle allowed. Wells became a courier and spy for the army of Anthony Wayne, the city's namesake. He would eventually marry Little Turtle's daughter, and one of the couple's descendants would become a mayor of Fort Wayne. Wells died Aug. 15, 1812, when, while leading settlers from Fort Dearborn near Chicago to Fort Wayne, the troupe was attacked by Miami warriors. Wells was killed and beheaded, and his heart was cut out and eaten – by foes hoping to gain his courage, lore says. His name appears in the form of Wells Street, as well as Spy Run Avenue and Spy Run Creek, made notorious by Wells and other spies who legend says used the creek as a trail while shuttling between settlements on behalf of Gen. Wayne."
William Wells William Wells had a knack for gathering intelligence that made him indispensable to the U.S. military during the early years of the Republic by Joshua Shepherd published January 15, 2019 in the WarFareHistoryNetwork.com.
William Wells’ tale captivates author by Rosa Salter Rodriguez about a 2008 book and upcoming 2013 biography published August 2, 2012 in The Journal Gazette newspaper.
William Wells to be honored Saturday on namesake street 2012 celebration was the subject of the newspaper article by Hana HawashAugust 3, 2012 The News-Sentinel newspaper.
Wells Street (Chicago)Wells Street is a major north–south street in Chicago. It is officially designated as 200 West, and is named in honor of William Wells, a United States Army Captain who died in the Battle of Fort Dearborn. Between 1870 and 1912, it was named 5th Avenue so as not to tarnish the name of Wells during a period when the street had a bad reputation. Copied from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia which references: Ask Chicagoist: Wells Street or 5th Avenue? by Thales Exoo in Miscellaneous on Mar 28, 2007.
August 3, 2012 The News-Sentinel newspaper.