Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-07-29
Gb& Stprg- -Gtller,
REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENT.

In theAmmer of l779, during one ofthe
darkest periods of our revolutionary strug-
gle, in the small village of S, in Penn
sylvania, lived v, one of the finest and
truest patriots within the limits Of the 'old
thirteen, and deepin the confidence of Wash
ington. Like most men of his time and SUBJ
stance, he had furnished himself with arms
and ammunition, sufficient to arm the males
of his household. These consisted of three
sons and about twenty five negroes. The
female part of his house consisted of his wife,
one daughter, and Catherine, about eighteen
years of age, the heroine of our tale, and sew
eral slaves. Inthe second story Of his dwell.
ing house, Immediately over the front door,
was small room called sthe armory,' in
which the arms were deposited, and always
kept ready for immediate use. About the
time we introduce our story, the neighbor-
hood Of our village was much annoyed by the
nocturnal prowling and depredations of nu-
merous Tories.
Itwas on calm, bright Sabbath afternoon
in the aforesaid summer when Judge V. and
his family, with the exception of his daughter
Catherine, and an old dindisposed slave, were
attending services in the village church.
Not breath disturbed the security of the
atmosphere-not a sound profaned the sacred
stiffness Of the day; the times were danger
Gus, and Catherine herself and an old slave
remained in the house until the return of the
family from church. A rap was heard at the
front door. Surely said Catherine to the
slave, 'the family have not yet come home
church can't be dismissed The rap was
repeated. Il will see who it is,' said Cath
crime, as she ran up stairs into the armory.
On opening the windows and looking down
she saw six men standing down at the front
door and on the opposite side of the street,
three of whom she knew were tories, who
formerly resided in the village. Their names
were Van Zant, Finley and Sheldon the
other three were strangers, but she had rea,
son to believe them to be of the same polti
cal stamp, from the company in which she
found them.
Van Zant was a notorious character, and
the number and enormity of his crimes had
rendered his name Infamous in the vicinity
Not murder was committed within miles
Of that he did not get the credit of plan
ming or executing. The characters of Fin
ley and Sheldon were also deeply stained
with crime but Van Zant was master spirit
of iniquity. The appearance of such char
acters, under such circumstances must have
been truly alarmed to any young lady o.
GATHERINGS age, if not to any lady, young
or old. But Catherine V-possessed he1
fathers spirit, 'the spirit of the times Var
Zant was standing on the stoop rapping Al
the door, while his companions were talk
ing in whisper on the opposite side of the
way.
lis Judge v at home?' asked Var
Zaut, when be saw Catherine at the window
above.
sHeis not said she.
sWe have business of pressing importance
with him, and if you will open the door,
said Van Zant swe will walk in until he re
turns
NO. said Catherine, 'when he went II
church he left particular directions not t.
have the door opened until he and his fami
ly returned. You had better call whel
church is dismissed
mo I'll not returned he, I'VE will ente
now or never
Impossible cried she, you cannot ente
until be returns
'Open the door, cried he, 'or we vii
break it down, and burn you and the hous