Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-05-14
AN AMERICAN SAMSON.

AN AMERICAN SAMSON.
As late as the year 1885, there lived in
Western Virginia man whose strength was
so remarkable as to win him the title of "The
Western Samson" He knew nothing of his
birth or parentage, but supposed he was born
in Portugal, whence he was stolen when a
child and carried to Ireland. His earliest
recollections were those of his boyhood in
the latter country. While yet lad he ap-
prenticed himself to a sea-captain for seven
years in pay for passage to this country
On his arrival his time and service were sold
to a Mr.. Winston of Virginia, in whose
service he remained until the breaking out
of the revolution. Being of an adventu-
rous turn of mind, he sought and obtained
permission of his master to join the army,
and was engaged in active service during the
whole contest. Such was 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 one who came
in contact with him paid the forfeit of his
life. At Stony Point he was one of the
"forlorn hope" which was advanced to cut
away the abattis, and next to Major Gibson,
was the first man to enter the works. At
Brandywine and Monmouth he exhibited the
most fearless bravery; and nothing but his
inability to write prevented his promotion
to o commission. Transferred to the South
he took part in most of the engagements in
that section, and toward the close of the war
he was engaged in contest which exhibited
in more striking manner his selfcon6dence
and courage.
One day while accommodating he stopped
at the house of man by the name of W
-, to refresh himself. While he was 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 outuumbered, he pretended
to surrender and the dragons seeing that
he was apparently peacefully inclined, after
disarming him allowed him considerable
freedom, while they sat down to partake of
the food which he had left when disturbed.
Wandering out in 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 the case of refusal. 81
have nothing to give" said Francisco, $50
use your pleasure" "GiVe up those mas
sive silver buckles in your shoes" said the
dragoon. "They were the gift of friend"
replied Francisco; "aud give them to you
never shall take them if you will; you
have the power, but l will never give them
to any one."
Putting his sabre under his arm, the SOL
dier stopped down to take them. Francisco
seeing the opportunity was too good to be
lost, seized the sword, and drawing it with
force from under the arm of the soldier, dealt
him severe blow across the skull. AL
though severely wounded, yet brave man,
the dragoon drew pistol and aimed at his
antagonist, who was too quick for him, how
ever and as he pulled the trigger, q blow
from the sword nearly severed his wrist, and
placed him hors de combat. The report of
the pistol drew the other dragons into the
yard, as we'll as W, who very ungener-
ously brought out musket which he handed
to one of the soldiers and told him to use it.
Mounting the only horse they could get, he
presented the muzzle at the breast of Fran
cisco, and pulled the trigger. Fortunately
it missed FIRE. A short struggle ensued,
which ended in his disarming and wounding
the soldier. Tarleton's troop of four hun
dred men were now in sight, and the other
dragons were about to attack him. Seeing
his case was desperate, turned towards an
adjoining thicket, and, as if cheering on a
party of men, cried out, Come on my brave
boys now's your time; We will soon dis
patch these few, and then attack the main
bodyp
They did not wait to engage him, but fled
precipitately to the troop, panic-struck and
dismayed. Selling upon the traitorous vii
liam W, Francisco was about to dispatch
him; but he begged and plead so hard for
his life, that he forgave him and told him to
secrete for him the eight horses which the
soldiers had left behind them. Perceiving
that Tarleton had dispatched two other dra-
goons in search of him, he made off into the
adjoining wood, and while they stopped at
the house, he like an old fox, doubled upon
their rear and successfully evaded their Wig
ilance. The next day he went to W
for his horses, who demanded two of them
for his service and generous Intentions