The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-05-24
PETER FRANCISCO.
IIGz11NV1IOOs
The Samson of the Western Hemisphere

AS late as the year 1886, there lived
in Western Virginia man whose strength
! was so remarkable, as to win him the I'll
tie of the Western Samson He knew
nothing of his birth or parentage, but
supposed he was born in Portugal, from
whence he was stolen when child, and
carried to Ireland His earliest recollcc-
tions were those of boyhood in the latter
country. While yet a lad, he apprenticed
himself to a sea captain, for seven years,
in pay for passage to this country. On
his arrival, his time and services we're
sold to Mr.. Winston, of Virginia, in
whose service he remained until the break
ing out of the Revolution. Being of an
adventurous turn of mind, he sought and
obtained permission of his master to join
the army, and was engaged in active SER
vice during the whole contest. Such was
his strength and personal bravery, that
no enemy could resist him. He welded
sword, the blade of which was five feet
in length, as though it had been feath-
er, and every one who came in contact
with him paid the forfeit of his life. At
Stoney Point, he was one of the 'forlorn
hope which was advanced to cut away
the abatis, and next to Major Gibbon,
J was the first man to enter the works.
At Brandywine and Monmouth, he ex-
hibited the most fearless bravery and
nothing but his inability to write, pre-
vented his promotion to 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
striking manner, in self confidence and
courage.
One day, while accommodating, he
stopped at the house of a 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 out num-
bered, he pretended to surrender, and the
dragons, seeing he was apparently very
! peacefully inclined, after disarming him,
allowed him considerable freedom, while
they sat down to partake of the food
which he had left when disturbed Wand
ering out into the dooryard, he was ac-
costed by the paymaster, who demanded
of him everything of value about him, at
the risk of his life, in case of refusal.
4 have nothing to give said Francis
co, $50 use your pleasure
Give up those massive silver buckles
in your shoes, said the dragon.
They were the gifts of friend, re-
piled Francisco, 'and give them to you l
never shall; take them if you will, you
have the power, but l never will give
them to any one
Putting his sabre under his arm, the
soldier stopped down to take them
Francisco, seeing his opportunity, which
was too good to be lost, seized the sword,
and drawing it with force from under the
arm of the soldier, dealt him a severe
blow across the skull. Although severe
ly wounded, yet being brave man, the
dragoon drew pistol and aimed it at bis
antagonist, who was too quick for him
however, and as he pulled the trigger, q
blow from the sword nearly severed his
wrist, and placed him h0rs du conabat.--
The report of the pistol drew out the 9th
or dragons into the yard as we'll as "
--, who very ungenerously brought
out musket and told him to make use
: of it. Mounting the only horse they
could get at, he presented the muzzle al
the breast of Francisco, and pulled the
trigger. Fortunately it missed fire, and
Francisco closed upon him. A shor
= struggle ensued, which ended in his dis
D arming and wounding the soldier. Tarle
= tons troop of four hundred men were
now in sight, and the other dragons
/ were about to attack him. Seeing hi
case was desperate, he turned towards al
: adjoining thicket, and as if cheering on
party of men, he cried out, Come on, m.
brave boys, now's your time; We will 500
i dispatch these few and then attack th
: main body!' at the same time rushing a
It the dragons with the fury of an enrage
e tiger.
They did not wait to engage him, bu
t fed precipitately to the troop, panic
d struck and dismayed. Selling upon tn
n traitorous william W, Francisc
y was about to dispatch him but he begge
and plead for his life, that he forgav
o him, and told bim to secrete for him th
e eight horses which the soldiers had LEI
e behind them. Perceiving that Tarleto
had despatched two other dragons
search of him, he made off in the adjoir
d ing wood and while they stopped at tt
e house, he, like an old fox, doubled upo
o their rear, and successfully evaded the
k vigilance The next day he went to
Ie for his horses, who demanded tW
= of them for his services and generous il
!" tentions. Finding his situation DANCE
st Gus, and surrounded by enemies, whel
20 he should have found friends, Francis'
was compelled to make the best of it,ar
lg left with six horses, intending to reVenG
1t himself upon W--at future tim
but as he said, Providence ordained th
at l should not be his executioner, for
broke his neck by fall from one OF tt
K very horses.
an Many other anecdotes are told of Fra