True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-03-11
A Frontier Scene

About seven miles north Of Hopkins.
vile. Kentucky, 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
settlement of the country-more than
half century ago-this was the only
tree to be seen for many miles round,
and hence obtained its name. 1t was
then tall, green and Aourishing i is
now, however, ifit yet stands, leaaess
branchless, thunder-riven, shattered trunk,
sending up its shafts as straight as the
main mast of ship Of war. Supersi-
tion has long guarded the spot The
tree is looked upon with something like
the same veneration with which the
Egyptian 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 Harpe, his
brother, were the terror Of the surEoun-
ding country in ;nose 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 was their delight. II was their
custom to sally forth, and without any
reason, to murder, without distinction,
all the men. women and children they
could find. AS the country filed up,
the people could no longer submit 10 their
horrid depredations. Men and dogs col
lected, and took the pursuit. They came
on the two Harpes in narrow valley,
at about two miles from this tree. They
Immediately mounted their horses, and
dashed off in the direction of the cave.
In going abont five miles; Davis, whose
horse was very fleet, had left his COM
panions, and caught up with Big Harpe,
he having previously separated from his
brother, the Little Harpe. --iaie
Here were two powerful men, armed
with rifles, butcher knives and tomahawks
by themselves, far from help, and bent
on death. Davis we'll knew that if over
powered he would certainly be killed; |;
and Harpe had determined TO die rather
than be taken alive. They passed and
repassed each other, frequently making
blows without effect, each dreading to
fire for fear of missing, and thereby pla-
cling himself at the mercy of his antago.
mist. Finally, the horse of Big Harpe
fell, and threw his rider, then rose and
galloped off f; Harpe sprang TO his feet,
and fired at Davis's horse, which reared
and fell. They were not more than ten
yards apart. IIarpe, whose sagacity
was equal to his courage and villiany,
kept lodging and springing from side to
side, approaching Davis, however, by
imperceptible degrees. Davis, discover.
ing he would soon loose the benefit ol
his gun, now fred in his turn, but with.
: out effect. Each man now drew his
knife, and they closed in mort9 strug.
gle. Very soon they fell, side by side
but, at.this juncture, a large wolf dog o.
, Davis's came 10 his masters assistance
and seized Harpe by the throat. This
) produced diversion in favor Of Davis
] who immed lately recovered himself ant
I stabbed Harpe to the heart.
r The hdeous yell which the wretch sen
+, up, is said still 10 be heard on dark night
r ringing wildly along the heath. SOM
0 of Davis's friends soon joined him; the.
n dug hole and buried Harpe at the foo
e of the Lonesome Post Oak.
# Little Harpe escaped, went down tn
It Mississippi, and joined the celebrate,
= Mason and his gang at Stack Island
S Soon after Harpe joined him, Mason al
y tackled flat boat from Cincinnati, an,
n killed all the hands. For this larg
# reward was offered for Mason; 10 obtai
j. which little Harpe was decoyed TO Nat
+ chez and there informed against him an,
is betrayed his friend. On Mason's trial
J Harpe himself was recognized, tried, an
l. found guilty; and, on the same day ths
Mason was hung, lie also expiated hi
crimes on the gallows. Mason was
70 very remarkable and extraordinary mar
a. He was distinguished by strong doubl
es row of under andupper teeth, that clenct
n; ed together with the energy and tenacit
10 Of steel trap. va