Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-11-17
HARPE'S HEAD.

In the N. York Sunday Times we read: A.
bout twenty miles from the town of Henderson,
at point just within the line Of Hopkins county,
Kentucky, where the roads from Henderson,
MerganfeId and Hopkinsvle intersect, there is
q wild and lonely spot called "EIarpe's Head"
The place derived its name from tragcal cir.
cumstance, which occurred in the early part Of
the present century. The bloody legend con-
nscted with it has been made the foundation OF
q thrilling border romance, by Judge Hall, oi
Cincinnati, one of the most pleasing writers oI
the West The narrative which follows, how
ever may be relied on for its strict historical
truth and accuracy, the facts having been deri.
we'd from one who was contemporary with the
event, and personally cognizant of most Of the
circumstances. The individual to whom We al
udc is the venerable James Davidson, of Ken.
lucky. Col. d. was distinguished soldier in
the last war with Great Britain, and has filled
the office of Treasurer for many years. His
high character for veracity is pledge for the
truth of any statement he may make:
In the fall Of the year 1901 or 1909, compa
ny consisting of two men and three women ar
rived in Lincoln county, and encamped abou
mile from the present town of Stanford. The
appearance of the individuals composing the
party was wild and rude in the extreme. The
one who seemed TO be the leader of the band
was above the ordinary stature of man. His
frame was bony and muscular his breast broad
and his limbs gigantic. His clothing was un
couth and shabby, his exterior weather beaten
and dirty, indicating continual exposure to the
elements, and designating him as one who dwell
far from the habitatons Of men, and mingled
not in the courtesies Of civilized life. His coun.
tenance was bold and ferocious, and exceeding
y repuIsive, from its strongly marked expires.
sion of villainy. His face, which was larger
than ordinary, exhibited the lines of ungovern-
able passion, and the complexion announced that
the ordinary feelings Of the human breast were
in him extinguished. Instead of the healthy
hue which indicates the social emotions, there
was livid, unnatural redness, resembling that
of 4 lifeless skin. His eye was fearless and
steady, but it was also arful and audacious, gla-
ring upon the beholder with an unpleasant fixed
ness and briIlisncy, like that of ravenous ami
maj floating upon its prey. He wore no cover
ing upon. his head, and the natural protection OF
thick, coarse hair, Of fiery redness, uncombed
and matted, gave evidence of long exposure TO
the rudest Vlsltations of the sunbeam and the
tempest. He was armed with rifle, and broad
leathern belt, drawn closely arsuud his waist,
supported knife and tomahawk. He seemed in
short, an outlaw, destitute Of all the nobler SYM
pathies of human nature, and prepared al all
points for assault or defence. The other man
was smaller in size than him who led the party,
but similarly armed, having The same suspicious
exterior, and a countenance equally fierce and
sinister. The females were course, sunburnt,
and wretchedly attlred.
The men stated in answer to the inquiry Of
the inhabitants that their names were Harpe
and that they were emigrants from North Caro-.
lima. They remained at their encampment the
greater part of two days and night, spending
the time in riotng, drunkenness debauchery.-
When they left they took the road leading
! to Greene River. The day succeeding their de-