Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-09-25
4 For the Standard.
IOG HEAP MEN ~


Nix. HoLpEs: The older inhabitants Of North
Carolina can recolect that about half century ago
man was governed but little by law; every man had
plenty Of time to do any thing or nothing as he
preferred. This indeed time Of plenty; but
little work produced the necessaries of life every
man paid great attention to his orchard, made ms
apple brandy, drank it freely and treated with it
literally. This may be called the period of fun,
frolic and free fights. If single combat was in
tended by two angry men, and one said to the otner
Twill you clear the law Y" if assented to- the bar
gain made, the fight began, and by ISLANDERS did
not interfere until one cried out enough and even
civil officers did not feel called on by duty to inter
fere. IL no muster speaking of candidates or
election brought the people together on that day,
hardly Saturday would pass over without shoot
ing match horse race would take place to do IL
and when once brought together, it would be as
hard to act the play of Othello without the part OF
0thello himself as to get through the day without
the enlivenng influence Of apple brandy. spirited
up the joke, caused the laughter to ring louder,
made all think themselves learned politicians, and
finally in the last act of the day the free fights were
desperate. Indeed, this last thought so indis-
pensible that after these collections, the question
asked by those who did not attend was "who
fought, and how did they make itY'
Well, sir, having lightly portrayed the times,
will say that in certain precinct captains dis
trict which will locate in one of the Eastern conn-
ties Of North Carolina, there lived man by the
name OI lOmHly fOTIlCe lOlulHJ was man vi ehO
world and could change his exterior with the ease
of chameleon: He was ready for a joke, a
hearty laugh, drink free fight, and considered
good leader to initiate it when all hands were pro-
perly warmed up to it which was usually IN the
waning hours of the day. Having introduced my
hero, may say that the muster ground in Tommys
district had been but recently located in the woods
a small log house, with piazza in 'front.' at the enc
of which the bar room, and not far from the
of the house lay large log heap so loosely
rolled together that man could crawl into 1t De-
tween the bottom logs. Near this log heap table
was set, upon which was placed the water and
brandy, around which many heroes played their
parts. 1t the day of election, and Tommy never
missed one He a warm partzan, and usually
took his stand near the table ready to drink with,
laugh WITH and electoneer with ALL But Tommy
thought it now good time to balance long stand
ing political hatred lie got mad because the vot-
ing not as he desired. He thought 1t good
time for free fight, and pulled off his coat, rolled
up his sleeves looked vengeance at his enemy, slap
ped his hands together cursed with fury, and sawed
the air with his arm barred in defiance lie jumped
around this friend then around another, evidently
to entangle the whole into free fight. Tommy
persevered-he succeeded even in drawing IN some
friends who had endeavored to promote peace. The
fight was severe, but Tommy's friends succeeded in
whipping their opponents The battle over all be-
gan to look about Tommy was misSing-he was
not to be seen any where. Inquiry was made-all
Tommy briStling up to the fight in the begin
ning but did not know what had become OF him.
Some concluded that he must have been killed in
the fight and wrapped up in brush heap near by;
this was torn up, but Tommy was not there to he
found. Anxious search made for him,
when one of his friends in passing by the log heap
saw thick pair of double Soled Shoes with the
tack heads we'll worn, turned bottom upwards just
peeping out of the log heap. These being examn-
ed it discovered that they contained pair of
feet, and to these feet legs attached 1t was
determined on to seize these feet and drag what
ever belonged to them-it was done, and to the sur
prise Of all Tommy Strengthened himself up at his
full length wiped and rubbed his eyes, for he had
been asleep. He looked around, calm and serious,
and showed not a scratch bruise. A peal of
laughter now burst forth through the crowd at Tom
my's ridiculous appearance.
"We, Tommy" said one Of his friends, "why
did you creep the log heap, with your sleeves
rolled up when the fight was going on so hercelyy'
"Oh!' said Tommy, :" thought | would keep
them rolled up in case should lie needed but saw
YOU could whip those rascals without me-"
Afler this event. for many years. when man
made clustering pretcnces to fight or any thing else
without moral fOrtitude to go through with ii, he
was called log heap man or 4 Tommy Portice man.
Now Mr.. Editor, have we among us any of this
| class of braUe men who few months ago could fume
and foam with warlike eloquence for secession, and
if necessary to this for fight who not now to be
found at points of dangery Examine the log heaps
| the seat of the moral faculties may not be found
| but seize them by the feet and drag them out to
open view Let them be known as Tommy Portice
mcn-let them be called log heap warriors.
SENIOR.
THE above article has been unavodaby delayed
much longer than we intended. wehope the author
ing US another article as good.-EDIroR-