3 stinky dogs
The Girty Brothers Simon, Thomas, and James were captured as children during the F&I War. They were raised indian but were returned to the whites per the treaty by Boquet (sp) in 1764.
Simon is the one we know the most about, as he was the most prominent in historical records. Simon Kenton met Simon Girty at Pittsburg in 1774 during Dunmore's War. They became fast friends. Simon Kenton later said of Girty "We pledged ourselves as brothers at the mouth of the Scioto (River) when there was no one else in the wilderness but God and us". Kenton also said "Girty was good to me". Girty later worked to save Kenton's life after he had been captured by the Shawnee in 1778. Girty sided with the Americans at the beginning of the Revolution but was passed over for a promotion and accused of illegal intercourse with the indians. This ticked him off and he went over to the British and led many raids against the Kentucky settlements. Many of the atrocities blamed on Simon were actually committed by James his brother. In speaking of James, Simon Kenton said "James was more of an indian than Simon or Thomas". It is well known that Simon purchased many prisoners from Kentucky and sent them to Detriot to save their lives or keep them from being slaves to the indians.
Simon got the really bad reputation because he was present at the burning at the stake of Col. William Crawford in 1782, even though there was nothing he could do for Crawford. Crawford was leading and invading army against the indians and was defeated, some of the men in that army had participated in the unjustified murder of the family of Chief Logan on Yellow Creek a short time before. The only way Girty could have saved Crawford was if he had taken his place on the stake.
When Simon Kenton was a captive he had a chance to talk to Girty again and Girty told him he "regretted his decision and had been too hasty" (in leaving the Americans). In his interviews it is clear that Kenton felt that Simon Girty had gotten the short end of the stick.
If you would like more about the Girty's read a copy of Butterfield's "History of the Girty's", and his book "Crawford's Campaign in 1782". Allen Eckert also covers a good amount on the Girty's in his historic novel "The Frontiersman". I also have copies of the interviews made with Simon Kenton in the last few years of his life if you are interested.
Hope you find this interesting.
Regards, Dave