Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1838-02-24

approached, they instinctively seized
their arms.
''If you approach one step, or raise q
rifle" cried tho robber, 'you may bid
your friends farewell. There is no hope
for them but in your obedience: want
nothing but security against danger to
myself and party, this | mean TO have"
"Stack your arms and deposit your am
udition on the beach near he water. !
will send for them. Any VIOLENCE to my
messenger, or the least hesitatit to per-
form my order, will prove cohain and
sudden death to your companions. Your
4 compliance will ensure their release, and
pledge my honor as man, to take no
other advantage Of my victory"
There was no alternatives: tho arms
and ammunition were disposed as Mason
directed. Two Of the band were des-
patched for them, while rifle was at the
head Of each prisoner. No resistance
was attempted, however, by Col d. or his
party, and the arms were brought across.
The banditti were soon in readiness for
march; the prisoners were dismissed with
a good humored farewell and the dreaded
Mason, true to his word, was soon lost in
the depth of the wilderness. 1t is hardly
necessary to say, that the pursuers, dis
armed and discomftted and little chop
fallen, made the best of their way back
to Fthe settlements"
Subsequent to the occurrence just de-
tailed; the violence and depredations Of
Mason became more frequent and sangui-
nary. One day found him marauding on
the banks of the Pearl; the next proved
fatal TO the life and fortune of the trader,
in the midst of the wilderness; and be
fore pursuit was organized, the hunter,
arrested by the descending sweep of the
solitary vulture, learned the story of rob-
berry and blood on the remote shores Of
the Mississippi
Treachery, however, at last effected
what stratagem, enterprise and courage,
had in vain attempted. Mr.. w., citizen
of great responsibility, now deceased,
passing with his sons through the wilder
ness, was plundered by the banditti
Their lives, were, however, spared, and
they returned. Public feeling was now
excited, and the government of the Terri
tory now found it necessary to act
Governor Claiborne accordingly offered a
large and liberal reward FOR the robber
Mason, "dead or aliue!' The proclama-
ton was widely distributed, and copy OF
it reached Mason himself, who INDUCED
in much merriment upon the OCCASION
Two of his band, however, tempted by
the large reward, concerted plan by
which they might obtain it. An oppor-
tunity soon occurred, and while Mason,
in company only with two conspirators,
counting out and adjusting some ill-gotten
plumber, a tomahawk was buried in his
brain. His. head was severed from his
body, and borne in triumph to Washing
ton, then the seat of government OF the
Mississippi Territory. 5ao
The head of Mason was well known
and recognized by many; and identified
by all who read the proclamation, from
the head so entirely corresp )ndlng with
the description given Of it, and the exis'
tence of certain scars and peculiar marks
Some delay, however, occurred in paying
over the reward, owing to the slender
state of the treasury. In the mean time
great assemblage from all the adjacent
country had taken place, tovleR the grim
and CHASTITY head of the robber Chief :
They were not less inspired with curl
osity to see and converse with the lndiyid
uals whose prowess had delivered th'
country OF so great q scourge. Among
these spectators we're the sons OF Mr. W
who, unfortunately for these traitors, i'm
mediately recognized them as companion
Of Mason in the robbery Of their iather
!, 1t is unnecessary TO say that treacheirI
met its lust reward, and that justice ais
was satisfied. The reward was not only
withheld, but the robbers were imprlsoh
/ ed. and on the evidence of the WIS, con
, demned and executed at Greenyille, Jel
l ferson county. ,n. .. 80,
The band of'Mason being thus dePrlye'
, of its leader and two of its most eiicle'i
men disperse6 and fled The country
That vast wilderness, though much con
. tracted by acquisition from the Indians
still presents ample haunts to the bandit
/, h,t he genius Of Fulton has pointed on
n mode Of transportation SO safe, eiliGlen
: and expedious, that no lnducement IS hel
out to them; and the silent iorest Is nov
~ safe for the traveller, as the pave
streets and silent walks Of the CITY,
7, 4 said that General Jackson is raj
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