Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-07-21
From the New York Ledger.
A Tragic Feud.
BIZ EMERSON BENNETT.

OF the Revolution, there frequently exis-
ted great bitterness between the families
of wings and tories, and that where the
state Of the country was such as to give
neither party more than temporary
ascendancy, these antagonistic feeling:
sometimes vented themselves IN open
hostilities, and the war for subjugation oil
liberty was carried on, in small, local
way, with quite as much spirit as where
the large armies met with the clang and
clash OF arms.
In one of the upper counties of Vir-
ginia, at the period referred to, there
lived two families, respectively named
Belcher and Mason, who, during the pro-
gress of the war, became deadly enemies
the former being staunch wings, and
the latter tories. The family of Belcher
consisted of five persons-fatber, mother,
two sons and a daughter. The senior
Belcher was gray-headed man, verging
on fifty, very lame in one leg; his two
sons we're stout young men, in the prime
and vigor Of life, and his daughter was a
comely lass OF twenty. At the breaking
out of the war, the sons espoused the
cause of freedom, and enlisted in the
American army; and having served out
their time, they were offered commissions,
which they sccepted-the elder captain
cy, and the younger lieutenancy-after
which, for three long years they only
came home once on a short furlough.-
Eleven months had passed since their
last visit, which brings US to the date we
wish to present to notice.
The family Of Mason also consisted Of
five persons-the father, mother and
three sons--the youngest an invalid
The father was hale, stout man of
forty-fve, and his first and second sons
were like him, and the three were much
given to dissipation. They were men
without principle, were generally regards
ed as bad characters, aud several of their
neighbors stood in fear of them. The
distance between the two respective fami-
lies was little over two miles; but their
houses being on two different roads, the
heads of them seldom met, except in the
village, where both went to transact
business.
At the beginning of the events we are
about to relate, Mr.. Belcher being at the
village referred to, was accosted by Ma
son, who had been drinking freely, and
was in a quarrelsome mood. Some harsh
words passed between them, and Mason
struck Belcher a violent blow, knock ing
him down.
"You know am no match for you
physically, and therefore your act is
cowardly !" said Belcher, as be slowly
regained his feet.
81 know You are coward, and that
nothing can make you fight, not even
blow !" sneered Mason. "If you were
a gentleman, and wanted the satisfaction
of one, you could easily find way to
make things equal between us-but what
can be expected of a rebel and traitor ?"
"Richard Mason" returned the other,
solemnly, 81 have never wanted your
blood upon my head but after what has
this day occurred feel myself compelled
to demand satisfaction"
"You can have it as you like p
"The sooner the better ~ said Belcher,
COMPRISING his lips.
"Bravo !" shouted the crowd, that had
by this time collected around the two
mortal enemies.
In less than quarter of an hour, each
man had selected his friend, and the pre-
liminaries o. the duel were settled. The
principals were to fight in little hollow,
just back of the village, with rifles, at
thirty PAGES, to fire any time after the
signal, and to continue an exchange of
shots till either one or both should be
killed or satisfied.
"Either you or have got 10 die this
time p said Mason to Belcher, with a
savage scowl. +.
perhaps bothl' returned the other,
solemnly.
al would just like to bet you an even
hundred, that our good king will have
one rebel and traitor The less in this coun-
try before sundownV' said Mason, with
bantering sneer.
81 never wager on what is in the hands
of an all-wise God p was the reproying
rejoiuder.
A duel, in those days and that section,
was more public affair than in later
times, and large crowd Immediately re-
paired to the ground, to witness the bloody
contest, most of the number being loyal
lists or tories-for, as general thing, the
wings were absent in the army, battling
for the liberties Of their country. In less
than an hour, the principals stood face to
face, rifles in hand The signal was
given, and both fred together. Belcher
remained firm, the ball of his adversary
barely grazing his check; but Mason
fell, shot directly through the brain.-
The angriest tories were for killing Bel I
cher on the spot /; but a few determined
friends quickly closed in around him, and
succeeded in escorting him away in
safety.
The corpse of Mason was borne home
to his family; and no sooner did lis two
sons learn the particulars Of his death,
than they swore to have dark and
bloody revenge. Belcher knew what he |
had to expect, even before being informed
of the threats of the young men, and lost
no time in putting his house in the best
state of defence possible under the cir
cumstances. He had two rifles of his
own, and he borrowed two more, and had
heavy fastenings added to all bis doors