Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1854-04-08

z '""i huhidhe HidH-Nds lnth pfesiuiHp
in the circuit court. He found Bill Smith
: one morning among his cattle and horses
half dead wi h hunger and cold. lie took
him into the house and fed hin, and
learned his story, and began 10 consider
how his inhuman master might be pun
ished. Great, therefore, was his delight
when, on looking over The list of causes
TO be tried before him in that circnit, the
very first was a commonwealth VS.. Sam
uel Saunders, for abduciing. numbering,
or otherwise unlawfully making away
with an lndenlured maze c!Iid, known as
! William Smith.
The trial came on. Judge Campbell
compelled the striclest scrutiny inlO the
fact. His charge to the jury was stern
and dead against the accused. II sound>
ed like a sentence Of death. The pris-
oner Stood pale and shivering. His coun-
tenance was startled, cowed, almost hope
less. The winding up was near. All
felt the verdict must be "guilty."
Suddenly there was a commotion in the
court. Carriage wheels were heard rap
idly 10 be nearing the place. The sheriff
came irr; and with him was the boy, still
atsenualed from suffering, bu! neatly
clothed, and with the bloom Of life reviv-
ing in his cheek. Old Saunders was car
ried from the dock in convulslons-his
shrieks being heard until the prison doors
were closed upon him.
He was acquitted, but compelled TO
give security for !he mentenance and edu-
cation of Bill Smith till the age of eigh-
teen.
That was the first public scene in Bill
Smiths career. The next, was when. as
an eloquent, viyacious, bold young law
yer, he pleaded his first case at the bar
He gained it. and gained many after it,
and gradually rose to great honors, wealth
and prosperity. Matte became his wife,
and their homo was blessed by sons and
daug ghters, till, when the Declaration Of
Independence was made. men knew no
happier family than that of William Smith.
He was generous and he was charitable,
but nevertheless one Of the most opulent
men in the province, for he was prudent
and economical. When, however. the
war of liberty broke out, his treasures
flowed like waters TO support Washington
in his tremendous campaigns. Matte
did not repine when she saw their riches
melting sway in the fervor of that glori-
Gus cause. "Let the gold co." she said,
and the gold did 60, and when America
was free, it was all gone, and VIM. Smith
found himselfa beggar! But he was not
sorrowfll: for over the Allegheny Noun
lains was the country Of Kentucky
beautiful land, with fertile soil and tim
ber, and water and game abounding.
There they might settle, and thither were
many going who had lost their possess.
ions in the terrible but sacred war.
In the spring of 1854, fifty emigrants
assembled in Powell's Valley, on the
frontiers of the old colony. They were
to journey in company over the noun
lains, for mutual defence, for the swarthy
tribes of Indians still hovered over the re-
gions, revenging or the white men that
long Iliad Of calamities which had fallen
on their race.
The caravan went forward. II passed
through a wild territory, among moun-
tains and defiles, with the shaggy forests
still throwing .heir primeval shadows
over the slopes. At a distance there was
known 10 be settlement where provis>
ions might be obtained Smith, with a
tsmall party, went in advance to bring
back supplies for the rest. He was six
days away. The remainder had promis.
cd to await his return in sequestered lit.
tie valley. 70 that he came with his
companions. There were traces of the
camp, and marks OF conflict, but no living
being stirred there-nO voice could be
heard, no welcome of the dear ones he
had left. A confused and broken trail
showed that the emigrants were in full re-
treat for the Clinch river, TO regain the
more populous district they hae quilted
Smith hurried after them. "Where is
my wiIe-where are my chileren Z" he
asked the first stragg'er he came up to.
"You will find them where you lef
them. Ask the Shawnees they can tel
you the rest"
"You have neglected your trust--they
are murdered" said Smith, in Stern and
deliberate, yet trembling voice. "Ant
yet you are retreating, you cowards!' he
added, and struck the man TO the ground
Then he turned back. rode alone to tn.
abandoned camp in the valley, and ther,
in the evening he was found, looking wit!
fearless eyes. but eountenance more
mourntul than weeping could weeping
make it, on the lost and loved-Mattie
and her children.
Smith with his own hands dug ihei
grawes-wi.h his own hand he laid then
side by sides his first born ON the moth
er's right hand, his yomngest on her bo
som, where lit had been nursed and nest
led 50 long. Ard then he stood for fen
nlonaents looking upon this last coucl
made for their earthly rest, aud filled tn
grave, and Pulled STONES to mark the spot
} and baae adiem forever to the love in whici
>his heart had made ils home. His com
H. sgoS~ asay.Asu~ a~n-.l "a