Even attempting to allow for the age of the story (1906 for the original), I have trouble with one of its central ideas--that Wetzel is to be admired for murdering Indians in their sleep while Indians who commit similar atrocities are to be condemned. The only difference is that Wetzel murders on behalf of the peace-loving good guys (specifically, the Christians). It's summed up by the line "There's nothing savage about Christian childhood, whatever its color."
This note is NOT intended as a criticism of Christians. I'm criticizing the hypocrisy of the characters in the story who profess to represent peace, yet respect Wetzel the "woodsman" and shrug off his one-man extermination campaign. Even if you buy the concept of an eye for an eye, not all of Wetzel's victims "deserve" their fate.
Additional Information
Publication
September 1948 | Price: 0.10 USD | Pages: 1
Notes
Art identification from Richard Richmond via GCD Error List 2012-05-16.
Cover
Zane's Grey's Spirit of the Border
Content
Genre: Historical
Notes
Art identification from Richard Richmond via GCD Error List 2012-05-16.
Text Article
Some Weapons and Useful Gear of the Eastern Woodland Indians (2 pages)
Synopsis
Facts about Eastern Woodland Indians' weapons, ceremonial items and garments.
Content
Genre: Non-fiction
Notes
Inside front cover and inside back cover; black, red, and white. Illustrations with hand-lettered text. Art identification from Richard Richmond via GCD Error List 2012-05-16.
Comic Story
The Spirit of the Border (32 pages)
Synopsis
Set in the Ohio Valley in the late 18th century, the story features Lew Wetzel, who has dedicated his life to the destruction of Indians and to the protection of white settlements. Two brothers, Jim and Joe Downs, arrive with a party of Moravian missionaries, who are attempting to convert the Indians. The brothers' lives take different paths but they eventually meet again as captives in a Delaware Indian village.
Featuring
Zane Grey's
Content
Genre: Historical | Characters: Lew Wetzel; Simon Girty; Jim Girty; Joe Downs; Jim Downs
Notes
Adapted from the 1906 novel "The Spirit of the Border" by Zane Grey. This is the second of a trilogy which begins with "Betty Zane" and concludes with "The Last Trail."
Gaylord Du Bois script credit as per page 181, Gaylord Du Bois's Account Books, Sorted by Title, compiled from the original account books by Randall W. Scott. Gaylord Du Bois script identification by David Porta (October 2013).
The "Zane Grey's" feature began here, ran for 26 Four Color issues (18 scripted by Du Bois who was often given adaptation script assignments). When the "Zane Grey's Stories of the West" series (scripted entirely by Du Bois) debuted with #27, the feature continued there.
Illustration
Frontiersman (1 page)
Synopsis
A kneeling frontiersman of the late 18th Century, with rifle and powder horn.
Content
Genre: Historical
Notes
Back cover. Art identification from Richard Richmond via GCD Error List 2012-05-16.
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