Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-03-28
THE HERALD.
An incident ii the Isevolution.


an attempt to poison General Washing
tol.--a;scovery and confusion Of the
Criminal.
A surgeon in the American army relates
this story:
A simple girl wae instrumental in saving
the life Of Washington. / can speak Of it
now, as it can do no harm. 1t was about
the middle Of June, 1916, and while the
General was at New York, waiting the ap-
proach OF the British troops, that the girl
cane to Francis her present husband whom
she considered in the light Of a royalist,
and informed him as a secret she had over
beard, that there was plan in operation
among the government men to destroy the
rebel leader-as she termed the command
or in chiefly poison, which was TO be
plentifulIy mingled with green peas, q fa-
yorite vegetable Of his, Oh the following dav,
at Richmond Hill, the headquarters, where
he was to dine. Francis went Immediate
" to Washington, andacquainted him with
the danger that threatened him. The Gen
eral, having listened with careful attention
said:
my friend. | thank you. your flelit y
has saved my life-to what reserve the Al
mighty only knows. But now, for your
own safety, | chcrge you to return to your
house, and not lei a word Of what YOU have
related 10 me pass your lips; it would in
volye you in certain ruin, and Heaven for
bid that your life should be forfeited or en-
dangered by your faith to me. ! will take
the necessary steps to prevent, and at the
same time diaeQyer the instrument Of this
wicked device
The next day, about two hours before
dinner, he sent for his guard, told him OF
the plot, and requested that he would dis
guse himself as female, and 60 to the
kitchen--there to keep strict watch on the
peas until they should be served for table.
The young man carefully observed the
directions he had received and had not long
been upon bis post tefore the unfortunate
Il. H., another Of the Generals guards,
came to his dcor, locked anxiously in and
then went away.
In few minutes after he returned, and
approached the hearth where the peas stood
and was about to mingle the deadly sub
stance, when he suddenly shrunk back rs
though from the sting of the fork tongued
adder, his color changing to the pale hue
Of death, and his limbs quiyerine apparent
~ with fear, evidently horror stricken with
his own purposc-but soon however, the
operation Of the more powerful Indictment
urged forward his hand. that, trembling,
strewed the odous bane, and he left the
kitchen overwhelmed with conflicting pas
sions, reinorse and confusion.
"Harold sleeps no more--the cry hath
reached his heart ere the deed be accom-
plished," said the youth on duty, in voice
not devoid Of pity as he looked after the
wretch.
"What! T. n" said the General, sor-
rowfully, upon receiving the information.
SCAN it be possible--so young, so fair, so
gentlel He would have been the last up
on whom suspicion of that nature could
have faller by right of countenance. You
have done WELL" said he to the youth be-
fore him. $50 join your comrades, and
be secret"
The young man went accordingly, and
Washington returned TO the piazza, where
several general officers were assembled,
among whom was the hero Of Saratoga,
who was waiting for further instructions
from Congress before he depasted for Can
ada.
In few minutes dinner was announced,
and the party was ushered into a hand
some room, where a sunptuous board was
spread, covered with all the delicaces of the
season.
Washington took his seat, and placed
General Gates on lis right hand and GEN
eral Wooster on his left. When the re-
mainder Of the officers and company were
seated and eager to commence the duties Of
the table, the General said very impress
lively:
"GenIlemen, l must request you to sus-
pend your meal moment. Let the guard
attend to me-"
All was silence and amazement. The
guard entered and formed line toward the
upper end of the apartment.
Washington having put upon his plate
spoonful Of peas, fixed his eyes upon T. II.
.ShSll ext this Vegetables" he asked.
The youth turned pale, and became
dreadtully agitaied, While he family ut
terel:
8 Il don't know
Here II. raise,l his hand, a II by an IN
voluntary impulse, 70 prevent their being
tasted. 4 chicken was then brought in,
that a conclusive experiment might be made
il the presence Of all those witnesses.
The chicken eat OF the peas, and immc-
diately died. aad the wretch T. H. over
come with horror aud remorse, fell fa.nting
aaa was borne from the apartment.