The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-05-25
Peter Francisco.

AS late the year 1886, there lived in Western
Virginia man whose strength was so remarka BILE
as to win him he title of The Western Samson.
He knew nothing OF his birth parentage, but
supposed he was born in Portugal, from whence
he was stolen when a child, and carried to Ireland.
His earliest rrcoectons were those of boy hood
in The latter country, While yet lad he ap2ren.
tced hiEsellt to a sea captain, for years, in
pay for passage to this country. On his arr-
val, his time and services were sold to Mr.. Win
ston, of Virginia, in whose service he remained
until the breaking out of the revoulion Being
Of an adventurous turn OF mird, he sought aud
obtained permission Of his master to JOIN the army
and was engaged in active service during the whole
contest. Such his strength and personal
bravery, that no enemy could resist him. He
welded a sword, The blade of which was five feet
in length as though it had been a feather, and
every who came in contact with him paid the
forfeit OF his life. AT Stony Point he one
of the forlorn hope which was advanced to
cut away The ba,tIs, and next to Major Gibbon
was the first TO enter the works. Al Brandy.
wine and Monmouth he exhibited the most fearless
bravery, and nothing but his liability TO write pre-.
vented his promotion to a commission.
Many anecdotes are told of Francisco, lllustra-
tive Of his immense strength and personal Prov
ses. Al Camden, where Gates was defeated, he
retreatcd, and after running along the road some
distance, he sat down to rest himself He was
suddenly accosted by British dragoou, who pre-
scented pistol and demanded his immediate sur.
render. His gun being empty ne feigned sub
mission, and said he would surrender, at ;he same
time remarklng that his gun of no further use
10 him, he presented it sideways to the trooper,
who in reaching for it threw himself off his guard,
when Francisco, quick thought, ran him
through with the ba yonet, and he fell from his
horse, he mounted him and continued his retreat.
OvPraking his commanding officer, Colonel Mayo,
of PowhataD, he gave him up the animal, lor
which ac. of generosity the Col. afterwards pre-
sented him with thousand acres of land in Ken
lucky.
TIE following anecdote exemplilyiug his peace
full nature and his strength is also told OF Fran.
cisco. How true it is, we cannot say, but tell
it it told to US, many years ago, while he
was still living in Buckingham county, Virginia.
One day while working in his garden he was
accosted by a stranger, who rode up to The fence
and inquired if he knew where man by the
name OF Francisco lived
Raising hmsell from The work, and eyeng his
interrIgator, who appeared to be one of the half
horse .half-aIgaler breed OF Kentuckians, he
replied, We'll, stranger, don't know of any
other person by that name in these parts but my.
SELF
sWeIl | reckon you an the man want.
want TO find The great fighting man I've heard tell
so much about. The fellow they say can whip
all creation and Kaintuck to boot.
: | can't tell you, stranger, where you'll find
that man, don't know such man. said Fran
CISCO rpsuming his work as hint TO the other that
the conference ended. Bat the Ken:uck:an
was not be bIuf,.d off, he would term it. Look
'ere, sraugeF,' said he, returning to the charge,
hat might your given name de- My name IS
Peter Francisco, at your service.
sAh = returned the other, you're just the man
[ want to find At the same time riding INSIDE
the fence he dismouned and tied his anlmal-a
rough ungainly Indian ponv-to one oi the posts.
NV name is Big Bill Sokes all the way from
old Kentuck. am the Kentucky game chicken,
am. | can out run, out hop, out jump, knock
down, drag ou:. and whip any man in all them
diggings. So, as heard tell o! fellow down
hereabouts who could whip all creation, thought
Id saddle Blossom, and just ride over and see
what stuff he's made OF. and here | am And
now, stranger. I'm most starved for fight, and I'm
bound 10 see who's the best man before go home.
It's all in good feeling. you know, and II you lick
me- why I'm satisfied, but
Stop minute, stranger, said Francisco, you've
mistaken the man entirely; I'm no fighting man
a, all, and if was. I've nothing against you TO
fight about
Well, | don't know is there any other Peter
Francisco in these parts
No, no; that ] know Of
We'll then you're the man, and you must
fight: I've come all The way from old keniBck,
and | an't going back without knowing which is
the best man.