The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-06-23
Peter Francisco, the Samps0n Oft West.
crn emispherc.


Peter Francisco, the sampson ofthe West.
ern Hemisphere.
As late as the year 1897, there lived in
Western Virginia, a man whose strength
was so remarkable, as to win him the title
Of the western Sampson" lie knew moth.
ing Of his birth or parsntage, but supposed
he was born in Portugal, from whence he
was stolen when child, and carried to Ire.
land. His earliest recollectons were those
Of boyhood in the latter country. While
yet lad, he apprentcsd himself 10 o sea
captain for seven years, in pay for passage
to this country. On his arrival, his time
and services were sold to a Mr.. Winston and
OF Virginia, in whose service he remained
until the breaking out of the revolution
Being Of an adventurous turn of mind, he
sought and obtained permission Of his mas
ter to join the army, aud was engaged in &C.
tive service during the whole contest. Suc.,
was his strength and personal bravery, that
no enemy could resist him. lie wielded a
sword, the blade OF which was Eve feet in
length, as though it had been feather. and
every one who come In contact with him
paid the forIci. Of his life At Stoney Pom,
he was one OF the "lorlorn hope which was
advanced tc cut away the abatis, and, next
to Major Gibbou, wa, the first man to enter
the works. At Brandywine and Monmouth,
he exhibited the most fearless bravery, and
nothing but his inability to write, prevented
his promotion TO commission. Iransi rr,d
to the South, he took part in most OF the
engagements in that SC, ton, and towards
the c.ose OF the war, he was engaged in d
contest which exhibited in striking man.
ner his sell confidence and courage.
One day while reconnotcring, he stopped
at the house ola man by the name Of W
TO refresh himself. Whilst at the table he
was surprised by nine British troopers, who
rode up TO the house, and told him he was
their prisoner Seeing that he was so great
y outnumbered, he pretended to surrender
and the dragoon seeing he was apparently
very peacefully inclined, after disarmpe
him, allowed him considerable freedom
while they Sat down TO partakc Of the foot
which he lad left when disturbed. Wan
dcring out into the door yard he WAS &C
costed by the paymas,er, who demanded o
him every thing OF value hc had at the risk
OF his lie, IN case Of refusal. IL have moth
ing to give" said Francisco, 80 use youl
| pleasure Give up those massive silver
buckles, in your shoes" said the drag COON
They were the gift Of q friend replied
Francisco, "and give them to you | nevel
shall take them if you will, you have the
power, but | never will give them to any
one"
Putting his sabre under his arm, the SOL
der stopped down to take them. Francisco
seeing the opportunity, which was too good
to bs lost, seized the sword and drawing il
with force from under the arm Of the soldier
dealt him severe blow across the skull. -
Although severely wounded, yet being q
brave man, the dragoon drew a pistol and
aimed It at his antagonist, who was toe
quick for him, however, and as he pulled
trigger, u blow from the sword nearly
severed his wrist, and placed him hors dc
co nbat. The report Of the pistol drew the
OF ier dragons into the yard, as well as
W, who very ungenerously br, ught
out inusket, which he handed to one OF the
soldiers, and told him to make use Of It,
Mounting the only horse they could get at,
he presented the rnuzzle at the brsast Of San
Francisco and pulled the trigger Forum.
ately it missed fire, and Francisco closed in
upon him. A short struggle ensued, which
enuea !" ms u,sarm'ns anu wouhG'hS Tue
soldier Iarletons troop OF iour hundred
men were now IN s'shs' ana the other dra'
goons were ABOUT 70 at'ack nm, seeing
h's escape was desperate, ne turned toward
an ADJOINING 'n'cket ana as u cheering on
party ofmen, he cried out, "come on, my
9raVe ooys, hows your time; VIC w'ii soon
despa,ch tnese iIw and thcn attack the
nam oouy a. the same tune rushihY o.
.ne uragoohs WIN the Jury VI an ehrsSed
''ge.. o
iney a'a not wa't 70 engage MIN, Out hod
prec'pna,e'y 20 the troop pane struck ana
n'smayed' eI,zlng upon the Taitorous WI
,a'., VI" r.ane'sco wss a1ou, 10 aes,
Pa.ii ;s "' , Vus ~ oeggeG anu p'eaa 80 ns,a
! ,G' ",s '"e' ''a' .e ,ors''e nun, anu 'o'u
n.n .'h. 20 a. secr.'u 'or I'm 'ne e'sn' norses
n;.; nnon 'no So'u,.'S .a.. "aI ,et pen"a .ns,
uI'enns ."". i'.e'on nau ueHPs.'"eu M
lwo o.nsi o'.soons 10 searen oi nun, ne
.h .laue ol 'n'o ''e ADJOINING woou, anu "h,S
they stopped al the mouse, me- IKE an old
iox, doubled upon their rear anu successful
y e.aaea the'f vigilance Inc next day no
went 70 W" ior nus horses, VINO demand
: eu .wo o, '"e,m i9r ms services ana generous
IhtchUOns. rlhulng us situation dangerous,