Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-10-15
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the TezeweIi News. !
SCRAP OF OLD TIMES,
Tragedy of the Moore Family--A Tale
of Horror,

There will be found below a thrilling rep
reseDtatIon Of the tragedy ofthe '.Moore Fam
ily'-one Of the most stirring and romantic
legends in the annals of this country The
sketch referred to, written on the occa-
sion of visit to the Natural Bridge in Rock
bridge county, Va, where one of the captives
resided With view to rescue from decay
this fragment memorial of the past. we have
thought proper to insert it in the Netrs Sew
eral descendants of those ilIustrious pioneers
and victims OF Indian barbarity, portrayed in
the narrative, reside in this county Conspic-
uous among these is William T. Moore. ESQ.
owner of the original homestead of the Moore
Family and whose mansion is distant only
few PAGES from the site Of that memorable
tragedy.
ght miles this side of Staun,on. on the
right Of the road, my attention was arrested
by the venerable appearance of large stone
church, denseiy surrounded by forest trees
on whuse 'sere and yellow leaves the setting
sun she'd his most gorgeous rays. The Pres
byteriau congregation first wurshippiug here
was organized in l74U: the house was origi.
nAlly built Of logs the present edIfce was
begun in l747, at which time there was net
one wheel carriage in rhe settlement; the
stone was Eauled on sledges-the sand trans
ported on pack horses. aud the glass and nails
brought from Williamsburg. At the time of
BraddUck's defeat this part of the Valley was
in j state of universal alarm: some of the
people wished to fly beyond the H!!ua R:d.e
into the present county of AlbenmrIe but the
pastor, the Rev. Mr.. Craigh, vehemeutly op.
posed it, aud on his suggestion the people
built u stone stockade around their church.
the lines Of which are still visible. Here on
each Sabbath they wOrShipped-the preacher
ts,EI rTH Hn inf IUit IL,
hearer being armed in the same manner
They acted on the direction of Oliver Crom-
WELL who always charged his soldier to trust
in God and keep their powder dry 1t is
most remarkable that the present incumbent
Is only the fourth minister in the space Of l43
years. Among these was Conrad Speece
man of extraordinary learning and elodueuce.
who, had he fourished during the reforma-
ton, would have been among the ablest co
adjutors ofthe iIlustrious and intrepid Luther.
The clergyman who now serves this people,
is a son OF the Rev. Samuel Brown and Mary
his wife, lady known to fame alike for her
unparalleled sufferiugs in early life, and her
ardent Tiety during her pilgrimage on earth.
She was the daughter OF james aud Mary
Moore, who resided in BOrctourt county until
1895, when they removed to Abb's Valley,
on Blue Stone creek, in the Uew county Of
Tazewell.
"a wild and lonely region, where retired
From iitte scenes Of art great Nature dwelt
In awful solitude"
Here, retired from all the world, he built
his cabin, and worShiped the God Of his ia
thers. with his household, ,conte uted and happy.
lD 1871 he was summoned from this secluded
spot to the American camp and fought in
the well contested field of GuilfUrd Who
remains to protect his tarnily, while he was
absent in the array is unknown; but it is
certain, that at this time, and for inany years
prior and subsequent 10 this period, numerous
hostile tribes of Indians. extending from the
Northern lakes and the Western rivers. down
to the Valley OF Virginia were committing
frequent and wantou murders on the helpless
inhabitants, and carrying terror to every
bosom. Still he remained in his periloGs
location On the 7;h of September. 1874
his second son was captured by the savaees
within a few miles Of his fathers house. and
carried away to the cfGrests of the West
How many anxious days and nights the dis
tressed parents spent on account of lust son
none can tell. There we're then no telegraphs
railroads. or public stages, and not single
post Office beyond the Allegheny by which
intelligence OF his fate could be obtaiued :;
and to have gone in search of the unfortunate
boy. would have been TO court certain death
Notwithstanding this premUnitory event,
Mr. Moore still continued in this dreary and