M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-05-11
PICTURE OF REAL LIFE.
PETER FRANCISCO.
TIE SAMSON OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

TIE SAMSON or fIlG WESTERN HEMISPHERE. !
As late as the year 1886, there lived
In Western Virginia, man whose
strength was so remarkable, as to win
him the title OF the "Western Samson. y
He knew nothing Of his birth or paren-
tage, but supposed he was bora in Por-
tugal, from whehce he was stolen when
a child, and carried to Ireland. His
earliest recoliertions were those Of boy
hood in the latter country. While yet
a lad, he apprenliced himself to a sea
captain, for seven years, in pay for a
passage TO this country. On his arriv-
al his time and services were sold to a
Mr.. Winston, OF Virginia, in whose
service he remained until the breaking
out OF the Revolution. Being of sn
adventurous turn OF mind, he sought
and obtained permission OF his master
to join the army, and was en- gagged in
active service during the whole contest.
Such was the strength and personal
bravery, that no enemy could resist
him. He welded sword, the blade
OF winch was five feet in length as
though it had been leather, aud every
one who came in contact with him
Ipaid the forfeit OF his life. At Stony
Point, he was one of the ''loreloril
hope which was advanced 10 cut
away the abatis, and next to Major
Gibbon, was The first man to enter the
works AT Brandywine and Mon>
mouth, lie exhibited the Most fearless
bravery, aud nothing bu, his inability
to write, prevented his promotion to a
commission. Transferred TO the South,
| he took part in most OF the engage.
ments in that section, and towards the
close oil the war he was engaged in a
contest which exhibited in a striking
manner, his sell-confdence and cour.
age. .l. ..... .. .,..
One day, while recommending, hC
0 stopped at the house OF a man BY tnt
u name Ut W, to refresh himself =
!. While at the table he was surprised BY
e nine British troopers, who rode up L
the house and told him he was thei
prisoner. Seeing that he was so great
ly out-numbered, he pretended to sur
render, and the dragons seeing h,
was apparently very peacefully inclin
ed, alter disarming him, allowed hin
considerable freedom, while they sa
ldownAo partake OF the food which.ht
had lett Wien Disturbed. wanterfnl
out into the door-yard lie was accostei
by the Paymaster, who demanded O
:. him everything Of value about him, q
e the risk OF his life, in case OF refusal
d IL have nothing TO give" said Fran
Il cisco, so use your pleasure ..
y Give up those massive silver buck
!, les IN your Shoes, said the drageon.
d They were the gin Of "a friend, re
IS piled Francisco, 'and give them to yor
e never shall; take them il you will
ID you have the power, but will neve
5 gIue them 10 any one .' l""
;; Putting his sabre under his arm, tn
4. soldier stopped down 10 take them.-
ut Francisco seeing the opportunity
4 which was too good 10 be lost, seize
', the sword, and drawing it with iorc
- from under the arm OF the soldier
10 dealt him severe blow across tn
rs skull. Although severely wounded, y,
/. being brave man, the dragoon DIRE
fl a pistol and aimed it at his anlagonis
in who was too quick for him, howeve
d. and as he pulled the trigger, a bio
r. from the sword nearly served his wri
,e and placed linn hors de combat. Tt
I'd report OF the pistol drew the other dra
r. goons into the yard, as well as W
a who very ungenerodsIy brought out
el mnsket, which he banded 10 one Of Il
,p soldiers, and told him to make use
h, 1t. Mounting the onl y horse tn,
pu could get at,be presented the muzzle
p,l the breast OF Francisco, and pulled Il
rd trigger. Fortunately i.missed fire al
Il. Francisco closed In upon him.
Of short struggle ensued, which ended
d. his disarmIng and wounding the Sc
\ dier. Tarlelon's troops OF lour hundp
~ men were now in sight, and the 9th
Il. dragons were about to attack him.
n seeing his case was desperate, lie iur
ed toward the adjoining thicket and
lfcheering on a party OF men, he cri
out, "Come on, my brave boys, now
its your time; we will soon dispatch the
w lew, and then attack the main body
he at the same time rushing at the dr.
I'd goons with the Jury OF an enraged
70 ger. " '.'
a.; ~ They did not wait to engage him.
- fled precipitately TO the main bod
K. panic struck and dlsmayed. Seizi
oh upon the traitorous villain, W
he Francisco was about 10 dispatch hil
ed but he begged and plead SO hard, I
'w his life, that he fOrgaye him, and to
ne him To- secrete Tor Inn the eight hors
1t. which the soldiers lett behind them.
gu Perceiving that Tarleton had despatc
ne -, ed two other dragons in search ol hil
%ao % lie made off into the adjoining woo
q, and while they stopped at the hoa;
n, he, like fox, doubled upon their re,
M and successfully evaded their vigilanc
~ | The next day he went 10 W.