The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-03-25
Sslett Mtistellanp.
THE FATAL OATH.

Perhaps iii no part OF the Union, not oven
in the boasted "Old Dominion" can men
be found who are in heart more chival-
rous than in Kentucky; that is, as take it,
If chiyalry consists in ever being ready to
defend the weak and wronged to punish
oppressors, to never Intentionally give un.
provoked insult, and in no case submit to one.
And yet there are probably more encoun-
ters, desperate in their nature and always
fatal in result, heard of from that State than
any other-if we except Arkansas and Tex
as in their almost lawless days-my own
State of Tennessee not excepted; famed as
it has been for the trays of Benton and of
jackson ,ltoustin, Carol ,Zolicoifer, Crockett.
Bowie, and Others whom | could name; one,
at least, who is q contributor to your pa.
per, and perhaps more blameless than any
other ] have named.
Why they have had so many desperate
fights i'll Old kentucky is even hard for 4
Western philosopher to account for. Some
may lay it to the spiritual potency of" Old
Bourbon" used there instead of milk to
raise their children on. Others may say
that there is something in the very atmos-
phere where Boon and the old pioneers
fought, bled and conquered, and won the
land for themselves and descendants, sIlg.
gestivc, or rather conplnintivc, OF comba.
tive nature. Yet both may he wide Of the
mark. To hi; centre, suggest the idea
The old families, mostly coming from the
two Carolinas Virginia and Maryland, and
sectional as pioneers. because coming from
different localities, had many bitter fcud
in the past time, when the law was not. and
might alone was right. And those feuds.
rendered traditionary by many tale of
desperate battles fought long, long ago.
have been kept up by the warm bloodcd
habits of the people, by the cherished con
struction Of the ways and means" to re-
dress wrong. But pardon Tor prefacing
my story thus, if you please reader.
1t was only six years ago, that two dis
tinguishcd citizens of Washington county,
Kentucky, whom ! will call Messrs Ror-
land and Harland, both running for high
political place, met at a barbecue to argue
their claims before the people. Between
them as it had been before, a bitter hate ex-
listed, dating back, believe, to quarrel
about the timeof the Revolution or prior to
it, when in Virginia one family claimed and
held attachment to the king, while the other
clung to liberty even while it was nurse
ling in the hands of Patrick Henry, waiting
strength to be placed under the guardian
care of Washington.
At this barbecue, both of these men, gray
haired they were, too-appeared upon the
stump, without arms on their persons, SO
persuaded by their friends, who knew of
their hatred TO each other, nd had no wish
to have the different party candidates cut
of-at least until they knew how the cleo
tion would turn.
But where fresh fuel is heaped upon all
old ember, blaze is sure to rise. And 80
in this case. Tho speech of Mr.. Borland
bore bard upon the party of Mr.. IIarland
but harder upon himself. The latter when
it came his turn to reply, spoke with a
scathing bitterness and personality that
fairly maddened Borland. He bore it,
though chaiing like Gagged tiger, for time,
but finally broke over all restraining bounds;
lie pitched into his opponent with all argu-
ment more sO-phiSticdL than philosophical.
The consequence was free fight, which
though it lasted but few minutes, gave
ground for challenge between the princi-
pals.
1t passed, and meeting with rifles at
twenty PAGES was the result. AT the first
fire Borland fell dead, with ball through
his head Harland alsO fell mortally woun-
ded, but fingered through the night, with
his faculties so retained that lie prepared
his will and other documents, and cOnversed
with the only living one of his family who
was near hiIn-a son who was then twenty
years of age-about his affairs.
William, my will is open aud can be
read as soon as | pass away, But this
package contains private matter, and no
one but you can attend to it, for you are
the last male of my race
I" ! will attend 10 whatever request you
may make, my dear father, replied the UNI
happy son.
4" You mnst swear to me, boy to fulfill
this request. The seal must not be broken
until have laid 10 my grave one week
when you will have regained your com
poseure, and strength for your work
Swear To me to follow my wish !"
Il swear, my father, replied the youth
llarand uttered bitter curse asains;
the Borlands, and then fell npon his pillow
dead.
Young Harland had his fathers remains
carried home. and on the same day two tu.
neral professions entered the grave yard
at Springfield, where both had resided.
The two enemies at the same hour were
buried. Mourning families were there, yet
past hatred seemed to be buried with those
who had fallen; for the mourners were
young and knew not yet the feelings ofha-
tired which had 80 strongly influenced their
parents.
Two were there who unbeknoWn 10 their