The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-12-29
"Ilarpe'S Head"

"llarpe'S Head"
SKETCH OF TUE NOTED WESTERN TRElBooTLEs, TIE
HARrEs.
Abouttwen,y miles from the town cf Hen
derson, at a point just within the line Of
Hopkins county, Kentucky, where the roads
from Henderson, Morganfeld and Hopkins
Vile in'erSect. there is a wild and lonely
spot called "Harpe's Head" The place
derived its name from a tragital circum.
stance which occurred in the early part OF
the present century. The bloody legend
connected with it ha, been made the ioun-
dahon Of a thrilling border romance, by
Judge Hall, Of Cincinnati, one Of the most
pleasing writers of the west. The narrative
which follows, however, may be relied on
for its strict historical truth aud accuracy.
the facts have been derived from one who
was contemporary with the event, and per-
Sonally co2nizant Of most Of the circumstan-
ces. The individual TO whom we aliudc, is
the venerable James Davidson, Of Kentuc-
ky. Col. Davidson was distinguished sol.
dier in the last war with Great Britain, and
has filled the Office Of treasurer for many
years. Hi, high character for veiaciiy is a
pledge furthe truth of any statement he nay
make:
In the fall Of the year Of 1901 or 1902, q
company consisting IF two men and thee
women arrived in Lincoln county, and en-.
canped about mile from the present tow
of Stanford. The appearance Of the ind
vidnaIs composing the party was wild and
rude in the extreme. The one who seemed
to be the leader Of the band was above III,
ordinary stature of man. His fame was
bony and muscular, his brcaS, broad, ans
his limbs gigantic. His clothing was un.
couth and shabby, his exterior weathc,bea
ten ard dirty, indicating continual exposure
TO the elements, and designating him as one
who dwell far from the habitaions Of men
and mingled not III the courteSies Of civiiiz.
ed life. His cOuntenance was bold, Zero.
cous, and exceedingly rcpulsivc, from its
strongly marked expression Of villany. His
face, hich was larger than ordinary, ex
hibted the lines Of ungovernable passion
and the complexion announced that the or
binary feelings Of the human breast we've il
| him extingui>hcd. Instead Of the health,
hue which indicates the social emotions
there was an unnatural redness, rcsomhliE!
that Of a dried and likeness skin. His cy,
was fearless and steady, hut twas also ant
iul and audacicus, glazing upon the behold
cr with an unpleasant tiXednrss and biillian
cy, Ike that Of ravenous animal Gloaiing
upon its prey. lie wore 10 covering upol
his head, and the natural protection Of thick
coarse hair, Of n fiery redress, uucomGet
and matted, gave evidence Of long cXpoSuI,
to the rude>t visita,iOus Of the sumbea IN ant
the tempest. lie was armed with rifle
and broad leathcin belt, drawn olOSel,
around his waist, supported knife and ;
tomahawk. He seemed, IN short, an out
law, destitute Of all the noblcr sympa,hie
/ Of human nature, and prepared at all point
for assault or defence. The other man wa
smaller III size than him who led tie party
but similarly armed, having the same s,ls
piCious exterior, and a countcnance equal,
fierce and sinister. The females wer,
coarse, Sunburnt, and wretchedIy attiied.
The men stated in answer TO the inqur,
/ of the Inhabitants, that their names werl
/ Harp, and that they were emigrantS iron
North Carolina. They remained at thci
encampmcnt the greater part of two day
aud night, spending the time in riOting
/ drunkenness and debauchery. When the,
left, they took the road leading TO Green,
river. The day succeeding their departure
1 report reached the neighborhood that
young man Of wca tn, from Virginia, name,
Laukiord, had been robbed aud murdere,
ON what was then called, and is still know
rs the evidences Road,' which run
through the Rookie aStle hills. Suspicion
immediately fixed upon the 1IarpcS as til
perpetrators, and Capt. Balleuger, AT tn
head OF few bold and resolutc men, staite
in pursuit. They experienced great dill
Guilty in following their trail owing TO a lea
w fall of snow, which had oblterated mos
Of the tracks, but finally came upon then
while cncamped ina bottom on Greene riv
er, near the spot where the town of Liberl,
now stands. At first they made show q
resistance, but upon being informed that i
they did not Immediately surrender the,
would be shot down, they yielded themselve
prisoners.
The were brought Sack TO Stanford, an,
there examined. Among their effects wer,
found srnr fine linen shirts. mark ed will
the initials of Landlord. One hal BEEF
! pierced by a bullet, and was stained witt
blood. They had also considerable sun
Of money, in gold. II was afterwards as
certaned that this was the kind Of none,
Lankfrid had with him. The cvideuc,
against them being thus conclusive. the
were confined in the Stanford jnil. bu, wci,
! afterwards sent for trial to Danyille, wher,
the district count was IN session. Here the,
broke jail, and succeeded in making ,hei
escape.
! They were next heard Of in Adair county
| near Columbia. In passing through tina
county, they met small boy,rhe son o
| Col. Trahuc, with rilluw case OF meal o
llour, an article which they probably need
ed, The boy. il j. supposed they robbie,
and Nru murdered. rs he was never after
! ,,.n,l. Ir,,l 90 NTany yo,rs ,C,,.,,, !, 4