Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1846-02-28
A FEARFUL TALE OF A TREE.
By rHADDEus W. MErGnAs.


The tale Of the ssgroaning tree," with
which every body who reads at all is per-
iectiy fainiliar,) is not more remarkable
than the one we are about to relate.
Near the village of White Plains, and
within mile Of the battle ground, stands
a peculiar looking remnant Of what was
at one time, very singular oak tree. It
stood like giant, alone in cleared en-
closure z used for pasturage, and was spar ed
by the axe, as is said, because of its un-
couti and unmatched shape. A branch
had, when the oak was young, been bent
In the form of circle, so that the end
rested In what is elegantly but expressive
~ termed "a CROTCH" 1t was secure
and comfortable resting place, of which
the young people residing n.,he vicinity
made good use. Lovers met there. Pub
he meetings werc held there. ,May-tlay
scsess1tiss AND ottrer sports, were ceie-
brated at this celebrated spot; and, to be
brief, the residence Of the Squire, and the
little frame school-house were objects Of
secondary consideration compared with
this oak. Perhaps until this day that tree
would be associated with pleasure, had it
not been for mournful occurrence which
shadows its memory with the idea of death,
and connected with its name terrible
thoughts Of the attributes of another world.
This mournful occurrence may be briefly
related.
a short time previous to the battle Of
White Plains, the British soldiery were
accustomed TO scour the country daily for
whatever good fortune might cast in their
way. They plnndered the houses Of all
the valuables they contained. stripped the
larders, desolated the hen -roosts, drove off
the tenants ofthe stables, and lef, The coun-
try Whereabouts as bare as it must have
been shortly after the deluge, in al! things
save human beings. Hunger compelled
by the want of food wrongfully withheld,
will make any man irrascible and destruc-
tive. The natural consequence Of the for
ayers was feeling OF hatred, as wild aud
ungovernable as the northern tempest.
against every man who wore red coat
Ii il were possible, there were others who
were hated more cordially than the British
soltiiers--and these were the s'tory" in
habitants, mary Of whom also formed
themselves into marauding bands, and fol-
lowed the occupation Of "robbing IN the
king name," at the expense Of those who
were neighbors, and had been friends
Tho chief leader Of the tory bands was
young man Of much talent and great per-
sonal beauty, named Brownson, who own
ed the oak tree, the land upon which it
grew, and neat Ii tie house about fifty
rods distant. BY foraging, he amassed in
. few weeks, large sum of money, and
the fact became as notorious as the Scrip
lures. He had young and pretty wife.
whose amiability and patriotism shielded
him for long time from any extreme dem
ons,ration Of hatred; but the ravaces his
band made were carried to such an ex-
travagant pitch, that meeting Of his
wronged and oppressed neighbors was at
last called, 10 consider measures for the
prevention Of farther imposition, and the
prompt punishment Of the leaders Of the
tories. A black smith named Lent headed
the meeting. He advocated immediate ac-
ton, and called Tor the appointment Of
committee to select subjects for punish
ment, and to originate the method Of its adj
minisirasion. 81 ss3 ash Asa 4a
The committee reported that Brownson
should be FIRST taken in hand. Ills lie was
to be spared-but they decided that he
should be stripped Of all his earthly pos
sessions, and that his dwelling should be
given sto the fumes. Twenty strong men
Immediately armed themselves, and bent
their steps towards Brownson's house. =
They halted beneath the Oak Tree and re-
connoitered. atssl.,. agsox i .esas
..Now,' said Lent, who had gone to the
Windows Of the dwelling and inspected
every part around, ''advance, every man.
There is no one there but Brownson him
sell. We will call him out and demand
has. money. a1iupss sla Iiiesa8sE1 s5isK
II All ,assented. With noiseless ateps
they reached the house nd'posted them
selves al the door. Lent advanced, and in
. loud voice, commanded Brownson to
|coms forth f .nA Il
ash. Il yasss aossa9 al yt.ss.sls sassiisa