Mariposa Democrat., 1857-05-27
A Frontier Scene.

About miles north Of Hopkinsville, KY,
is very remarkable spot. A solitary post-oak
stands in the barrens, in the forks of the roads,
and has obtained, universally, the name of the
Lonesome Post.Oak." In the early settle
of the country, more than half a century ago,
this was the only tree to be seen for many
miles around, and hence the name 1t was
then tall, green, and hourishing; it is now,
however, if it yet stands, a leafless, branch
less, thunder-riven, shattered trunk, sending
up its shaft as straight as the mainmast Of a
ship-of.war. Superstition has long guarded
the spot The tree is looked upon with some
thing like the same veneration with which the
Egyptian regards the pyramids, those grim
sentinels of antiquity. The place is remarka
BILE for a very severe battle, fought by Big
Harpie and Davis.
The Big Harpie and Little Harpie, his bro
ther, were the terror of the surrounding coun
try in those early times. Two more execrable
monsters never disgraced humanity. They
lived with two women as bad as themselves, in
cave about twenty miles from this tree
Blood and massacre were their delight 1t was
their custom to sally forth, and, without rea.
son, to murder, without disticntion, all the
men, women and children they could fnd.-
As the country filed up, the people could nc
longer submit to their horrid depredations-
Men and dogs collected and took up the pur.
suit They came on the Harpies in narrow
valley, about two miles from this tree. They
Immediately mounted their horses and 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 Harpie, he having previously separa'
ted from his brother, Little Harpe.
Here were two powerful men, armed with
rifles, butcher-knives and tomahawks by them
selves, far from help, and bent on DEATH
Davis well knew that if overpowered, he would
certainly be killed, and Harpie had determined
to die rather than be taken alive. They pass
ed repassed each other, frequently making
blows without effect, each dreading to fire for
fear of missing, and thereby placing himself
at the mercy of his antagonists. Finally, the
horse of Big Harpie fell, threw his rider, then
rose and galloped off. Harpie 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
from side to side, approaching Davis, however,
by imperceptible degrees. Davis discovered
that he would soon lose the benefit of his gun,
and now fired in turn, but without effect
Each man now drew his knife, and they closed
in mortal combat Very soon they fell side
by side; but at this juncture large wolf-dog
of Davis came to his masters assistance. and
seized Harpie Ny the throat This produced a
depression in favor of Davis, who Immediately
recovered himself and stabbed Harpie to the
heart. The hideous yell that the wretch sent
up is said to be heard on dark nights, ringing
wildly along the heath. Some Of Davis friends
soon joined him, they dug a hole and buried
Harpe at the foot of the lonesome post-oak.-
Little Harpie escaped, went down the Missis-
sippi and joined the celebrated Mason and his
gang, at Sack Island. Soon after Harpie join.
ed him, Mason attacked a hat-boat from Gin