Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-07-04
.NiSceil0sseOsss.
TIE LONESOME Posr-o.K

LIE LONEsOME POST-OAk.
About seven miles north Of this town
is very remarkable spot; . solitary
post-oak stands in the barrens, in the
forks Of the roads, and has obtained
universally the name Of "the SOLITARY
post-oak." In the early settlement Of
this country, about thirty five wear.
ago, this waa the only tree to be seen
Tor many miles round, whence it's
name. Ii was then tall. green, and
hourishing; it is now, however, a leaf
less, branches, thander-riven. shat
tered, trunk; sending up its shaft as
straight as the mainmast Of a ship of
war. Superstition has heretofore and
still guards the spot; the tree is looked
upon with something like the same We
neration with which the Egyptian re-
CARDS his pyramids, those grim senti.
nels Of eternity. The place is remark.
able for a very severe battle fought BY
Big Harpe and Davis. The big Harpe
and little Harpe, his brother, were the
terror oil the surrounding country, in
those early times. Two more execra.
BILE monsters never disgraced humani-
ty. They lived with two women rs bad
as themselves, in q cave about twenty
miles from this tree. Blood and mas
sacre were their delight. 1t was their
custom to sally forth, and without any
reason, to murder without distinction
all the men, women, and children, they
could find. AS the country filed up,
the people could no longer submit to
their horrid depredations. Men and
dogs collected and took the pursuit.
They came on the two fIarpes in a mar.
row valley, at about two miles from
this tree. They Immediately mounted
their horses, and dashed on in the di.
rection OF the cave. In going about
five miles. Davis, whose horse was very
fleet, had left bis companions aud caught
up with the big Harpe, he having pre-
viously separated with his brother, the
little Harpe.
Here were two powerful men, arm.
ed with rifles, butcher knives, toma-
hawks, by themselves, far from help,
and bent on death. Davis we'll knew
that il overpowered he would certainly
be killed; and HArpe determined to
die rather than 10 be taken alive
They passed aud re passed each other,
frequently making blows without effect,
each dreaded to fire for fear of missing,
aud thereby placing himself at the mer-
cy OF his adversary. Finally the horse
Of big Harpe fell with and threw his
rider, and then rose and galioped of.
itarpe spraOg to bis feet and fired at
Dayis's horse, which reared and FELL
They were not now more than 70 yards
apart. Harpe, whose sagacity was
equal to his courage and villainy, kept
dOdgiDg and jumping from side TO side,
approaching Davis, however, by imper.
ceptible degrees. Davis, discovering he
would soon loose the benefit Of the gun,
now fired in his tsrn, but withOut ef.
feet. Each man nov drew his knife,
and they closed in moFtal struggle.
Very soon they fell side by side, but
at this juncture . large woIf-dog Of
DaVis'came to his assistance, and seized
Harpe, by tie throat. This produced
. diversion in favor Of Davis, who i'm.
mediately recovered himself and stab.
bed iIarpe to the heart. The hideous
yell which the wretch sent up - said
to be still heard OF dark nights ring
ing wildly along the heath. Some Of
Davis friends soon joined him-They
dug hole, aud buried Harpe at the
foot Of the Lonesome POst.0sk.
Little IIarpe escaped, went down
the Mississippi, add joined the eslebra.
ted Mason and bis gang al Stack Island.
Soon after Harpe joined him, Mason
attacked q natbOat from Cincinnati,
and killed all the hands. For this a
large reward was offered for Mason,
to obtain which little Harpo decoyed
him 20 Natchez, and there informed
against him and betrayed his friend
On MasOn's trial. HArpe himself was
recognized, was tried, and fognd gull.
~ ; aud on the same day that Mason
was hung, he also expiated his crimes
on the gallows. This Mason vas
very remarkable and extraordinary
nan. lie was distinguished by strong
dOable row Of nndeF add upper teeth,
that elinebed together with the energy
Of a steel trap. Y.