The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1867-11-06
Selset Amaiua.
THE DEVILS HALF.ABRE.

Somerset runs lateral spur OF rocky
and isolated hills, covered for, the
most part with asparse gowth of ches-
nut, oak, and stunted cedars.
On the very top of one of the larg-
est of these, called "Shannock Noun
tain," is large space covering nearly
three acres, barren ofa tree, or shrub,
the surface of which appears to be
formed of Il single rough stone. IT'S
called the "Devil's Half-Acre." Near
the centre is ragged opening or pit,
about 20 feet in diameter, which APP
pears to penetrate into the very bowels
of the earth. 1t has been sounded to
the depth ofa thousand feet, and no
indication Of bottom found. A stone
thown into "the WELL" as it is called,
can be heard rattling for a long time
against the rugged sides, until, with q
terrible and uncarthly reverberation,
it plunges in the water. A noise like
that ola secthing cauIdron is heard,
and soon there issues from the mouth
of the pit q column of damp vapor,
possessing an uncommon ioetid smell.
The vapor is somewhat inhammable,
and that fact proves the presence OF
carburetted hydrogen gas, or what is
called by minors "frc damp" Al
though at distance of three hundred
feet from the surface, it has been PROV
ed by experiments with quadrupeds
that life can be sustained.
The incident | am about to relate,
occurred some time after the passage OF
General Washington, with his army,
across New Jersey in the spring Of
I1771.
The infamous crucltics Of the ma
raud.ng parties Of British soldiers had
awakened every feeling Of resentment
and aroused inovcry bosom an implaca-
bic hatred, which only the extermina-
tion Of the inhuman monster could
aliay.
Taking the advantage of the alb
sence oftheir natural protectors, par
! ty of dcmi-brutes, under tle command
Of Capt. Smith. had committed out
RACES upon the unprotected females
which would shame the very name of
man.
Every able bodied man, and many
who were scarcely able, had hocked to
the standard of Washington, and had
gone to accompany lin in his victori-
Gus expedition, leaving their wives and
daughters, their homes and property,
to the protection of aged men and
boys.
At length acowardly assaultupon
family, composed of an aged widow,
and her three lovely daughters, who
after being cruelty outraged by the
brutal soldiers, were beaten nearly to
dcath-and the old woman thrown in
to the "Well' of the "Dcvils Half
Acre." so exasperated the young
men, that they resolved upon ven
gcancc.
a secret meeting was held, and they
resolved to meet the next evening at
the foot Of the ridge. to punish the
towards, who were cncamped, in fan
cied security, about quarter ola mile
from the scene of outrage, The great
ter part of the day was spent in moul-
ding bullets, and preparing their
weapons, which being accomplished,
they waited with fevcrish anxiety the
appointed hour.
Twas lovely eve, such one as we
rarely see in our too changeablcclimatc.
The sun, bathed in halo of golden
light, slowly deccnded behind the
towering steep Of Shamrock. The
bright stars looked down from the
pure ether with a seemingly encour-
aging smile upon the band of youthful
heroes, who had silently gathered in a
corps at the base of the mount. Each
moment some brave boy noiselessly
approached, with his rife upon his
shoulder, and, with simple nod of
recognition, take his place and quietly
await the order of the person who was
to be their leader.
The one chosen to command them,
was a sturdy youth Of about IS years
of age, strongly built, and very athlet-
ic; he carried a long rife, and was clad
in plain rustic suit of homespun.
His quick movements and hurriedly
whispered instructions, showed that he
felt the importance and understood the
danger of the attempt they were about
to make; and the fire that flashed from
his dark eye, proved that he was equal
to the emergency.
At length the party, numbering fif-
teen, were all assembled; the ages of
none exceededeighteen, while the ma
jority were still younger. The order
to march was given, and the young
band followed their leadar in profound
silence.
Twas noble sight those brave
young spirits setting out to avenge the
wrongs of their mothers and sisters, at
the risk of their own lives, and against
fearful odds of numbers and experience
but stern resolve sat upon every breast
and firmly beat each heart. Soon they
approached the spot where lay encamp-
ed the objects of their hatred; the
British number twenty, and were all
wrapt in profound slumber. Slowly
and stenlthily they neared the enemy,
their hearts beat violently as they saw
them in their power--but not a word
escaped their lips-thcir calculations
had beenwell made and they continu-