Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-05-12
PETER FRANCISCO

Tiis SAMSON or rHE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
As late as the year 1886, there lived in wes-
tern Virginia, man whose strength was so
great, as to win him the title of the "western
Samson" lie knew nothing Of his birth or
pareniage but supposed he was born in Portu-
gal, from whence he was stolen when a child.
and was carried 10 Ireland. His earliest recol-
lections were those Of boyhood in the latter
country. While yet a lad, he appreniiccd him
self 10 sea captain, for seven years, in pay for
passage to this country On his arrival, his
time and services were sold 10 Mr. Winston
OF Virginia, in whose service he remained un-
I'll the breaking out of the revolution. Being
of an adventurous turn of mind, he sought and
obtained permission of his master 10 Join the
army, aud was engaged in active service during
the whole contest. Such was his strength and
personal bravery, that no enemy could resist
him. lie welded sword, the blade Of which
was five feet in length, as though it had been
feather, and every one who came in contact
with him paid the forfeit of his life. At Stony
Point, he was one Of the 'iorloru hope" which
was advanced to cut away the abaitis, and next
to Major Gibbon, was the first man to enter the
works. At Brandywine and Monmouth, he ex-
hibiied the most fearless bravery, and nothing
but his inability TO write, prevented his promo
tion ioa commission. Transferred to the South,
he took part in most of the engagements in that
section, and towards the close of the war, he
was engaged in a contest which exhibited in a
striking manner, his sef-conhdence and eour-
age.
One day while accommodating he stopped at
the house of 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 greatly outnumbered, he
pretended to surrender, and the dragons seeing
he was apparently very peacefully inclined, az
tef uisaruIing iiiu,, -liv.-oI him uUsi,lOss.sl..
freedom while they sat down to par,ake OF the
food which he had left when disturbed. Wan
darlng out into the door-yard he was accos,ed
by the Paymasier, who demanded Of him eve
ryihing Of value about him at the risk Of his
life in case Of refusal. 81 have nothing to
give" said Francisco, $50 use your pleasure -
Give up those massive silver buckles in your
shoes" said the dragoon. 'They were the
gift of friend, !" replied Francisco, "and give
them to yon | never 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 soldier
stopped down 10 take them. Francisco seeing
the opportunity. WHICH was too Good 10 he lo.t
seized the sword and drawing il with force from
under the arm Of the soldier, dean him Sc
we're blow across the skull. Although severe
ly wounded, yet being brave man, the drag
oon drew pis,ol and aimed !, a, nj. ,n,aoon-
IA. nbo 1as to, aalcl ~, h;,,, i.,,...,s, "A
as he pulled the ,rioge, a blo,y f,oo; ,ho s,,ord
nearly severed his wis, and olacsd him Ior,
de eo1,6at. The renor, oe N. nis,ol drev ,hs
other dracoons ;u,o The ward ,s wall a. W
who very uppeuerously brouobt on, a muske,
which he handed N ono of ,bc soldiers ana
told him 10 make use oil II. Mounting the on
ly horse he could get at. he presented The muz-
zle al the breast Of Francisco. and nolled The
trigger. Fortunately /, missed FIRE and Fran.
cisco olosed in upon him. A shor, s,ruoole
ensued. which ended in his disa,mino and
wouudinp The soldier. Tarle,on' = ,,oon Of fo,r
hundred men were pow in s;ob, and ibe o,ba,
draooops were ahou, IN ,,,,cL him sse;no
his case was desoera,e he turned ,o,v.rd an al.
Joining thicker. and as If cheering an a Marty
or man he c,;a1 an, ..o, on me h..,o -.
now's your time we will som desna,cb these
few. and then attack the main body y, n, ,be
same time rushing a, The dragooos with the f,,.
nv of an enraoed liner.
Tbev ala No, ,yai, 70 engaoa hin, hr, aod
preeipi,ately 10 The ,roop. manic struck and dis.
MAYED. Seizing upop The ,raitorous villain.
W Francisco was abou, 10 desna,ch him
bnt be BEGGED and Mead 80 hard "a, his M,
tha, he forgave him and told him n socre,e 70,
him the eiebt horses which the soldiers Ind lefl
behind him. perceiyinO that Tarle,on had das.
matched ,wo other dragoons in sasrch Of him