Simon Girty
Girty, Simon (1741–1818), an American frontiersman. Because he helped the Indians raid western settlements, he was called “the Great Renegade” and “the white savage.” Girty was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was an Indian captive, 1756–59, and became an interpreter. After brief service as an interpreter for the Continental Congress, he deserted to the British in 1778. During the rest of the Revolutionary War he fought with the Indians against the settlers and was notorious for his cruelty. Girty again fought with Indians against United States troops at St. Clair's defeat in 1791 and at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794.