Smyrna times., 1857-01-28
A Frontier Scene,


About seven miles north of Hopkinsville,
Kentucky, is a very remarkable spot soli-
tary post oak stands in the barrens, in the
forks OF the roads, and has obtained, universal
ly, the name of the " Lonesome Post Oak" In
the early settlement of the country-more than
half a century ago-this was the only tree to
be seen for many miles round. and hence OBJ
tained its name. 1t was then 1all green and
lourishing; it is now, however, if it yet stands,
leafess, branchless, thunder-riVen, shattered
trunk, sending mp its shafts as straight as the
manmast of a ship of war. Superstition has
long guarded the spot. The tree is looked
upon with something like the ame veneration
with which the Egy ptian regards his pyramids
those grim sentinels oF antiquity.
The place is remarkable for a very severe
battle, fought by Harpe and Davis. The Big
Harpe, and little Iarpe, his brother, were the
terror of the surrounding country in those
early times Two more execrable monsters
never discharged humanity. They lived with
two woman bad as themselves, in cave
about twenty miles from this tree. Blood and
massacre were their delight. 1t was their
custom 10 sally forth, and without any reason,
to murder, without distinction, all the men,
woman and children they could find. AS the
country filled up, the people could no longer
dogs collected, and took the pursuit. They
came on the two Harpes in narrow valley,
at about two miles from this tree. They i'm
mediatey mounted their horses, dashed off in
the direction of their cave. In going about
five miles, Davis, whose horse was very fleet
had left his companions, and caught up with
Big Harpe, he having previously separated
from his brother, the Little Harpe.
Here were two powerful men, armed with
rifles butcher knives and tomahawks, by them
selves, far from help and bent on death. Da-
Wis well knew that i overpowered he would
certainly be killed; and 1arpe had determined
to die rather than be taken alive. They passed
and re-passed each other, frequently making
blows without effect, each dreading 20 fire for
fear of missing, and thereby placing himself at
the mercy of his antagonist. Finally, the horse
of Big Harpe fell and threw his rider, then
rose and galloped off: IIarpe sprang to his
feet, and fired at Davis horse, which reared and
fell. They were now not more than ten yards
apart. Harpe, whose sagacity was equal to
his courage and villainy, kept lodging and
spriuging from side to side, approaching Davis,
however, by imperceptible degrees. Davis,
discovering he would soon lose the benefit of
his gun, now fired in his turn, but without eff
feet. Each man now drew his knife, and they
| S'OSSu Au hiOl Cul 'CI1 SOOH IiCy lSll
side by side ; but, at this juncture a large wolf
dog of Davis came to his masters assistance,
and seized Harpe by the throat This produced
a diversion in favor of Davis, who Immediately
recovered himself and stabbed Harpe to the
heart. The hideous yell which the wretch
sent up is said sill to be heard on dard nights,
ringing widely along the heath. Some OF
Davis friends soon joined him they dug hole
and buried Harpe at the foot of the Lonesome
Post Oak.
Little Harpe escaped, went down the Misss-
sippi, and joined the celebrated Mason and his
gang, at Stack Island. Soon after Harpe
joined him, Mason attacked fiat boat from
Cincinnati, and killed all the hands. For
this a large reward was offered for Mason
to obtain which little Harpe was docoyed to
| Natohez, and there informed against him and
betrayed his friend. On Masons trial, Harpe
himself was recognized, was tried and found
guilty; and on the same day that Mason was
hung, he also expiated his crimes on the gal.
lows. Mason was a very remarkable and ex
traordinary man He was distinguished by
a strong double row of under and upper teeth
that clenchcd together with the energy anC
tenacity of a steel trap.