The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-04-30
Fifty-three Years Ago.

F1fty.tlree ears n SOs
We will now relate q mournful TRACE |
dy. In Greenbrier county, West vlr-
ginia, there lived, in an early day, wor-
thy and highly esteemed gentleman, whom
we shall call Mr. johnson. He had a
large estate, and a numerous family of
sons and daughters. One of his girls
Jane-was, at the time1817--a very
beautiful and charming woman, Is years
of age. A young man of their acquain-
tance, whose name was James Thompson,
paid his addresses to Miss Jane, and a
mutual love dwelt in their hearts. Mr.
Thompson was of good parontage, was
quite wealthy, and highly accomplished. !
He asked her parents consent to their
marriage, and received cordial assent.
! In that day and time, bans of marriage
were published by the preacher, on three
different days, to as many congregations,
not less than three weeks ensuing, then
the parties were Joined together in we'd
lock, without licence from the Clerk Of
the Court of that county. The bans had
been published twice, and the day set
for their marriage, two weeks ahead, when
Miss Jane came on a visit to our settle
ment. There was log rolling and
quilting at brothers of the writer, and
Jane was there. At night there was a
dance, as there were many youngsters
present. There was a young mau Of the
company, by the name of Fleshman-a
captain of our militia. He was a lady's
4 man--nearly all the girls round about
were in love with him. From spirit of
coquetry aud a desire to rival the other
girls in the attentions of the gay and
charming young Captain, Miss Jane'made
advances towards him, which were soon
appreciated. They seemed to only live
for each other. They danced together
often, but with none others, and a regu-
lar courtship cnsued About o'clock A.
NJ. they stealthily retired to a room, and
drawing aside the curtains of bed, re-
tired in it. But jealous eyes we're turned
towards them. All the crowd soon knew
about it, and the tongue of SANDER was
busy. Before Miss Jane returned home,
the report of her conduct had reached
the neighborhood, in dark form. After
she arrived at home, Mr.. Thompson came
there, and in mild, yet grieved manner,
told her and her parents what he had
heard, Jane did not deny it, but asked
his forgiveness. He stated that he con-
sidered her virtually as his wife, from the
time he had asked her parents for her,
and had paid attentions to no lady after
:, wards And if she would so conduct
herself then, he could have no confidence
) in her, after they should be married. He
|, therefore declined ell engagements with
! her, and returned home. Her mother
} from that day forward for six months
hardly ceased to unbraid her, and expose
: her to all who came to her house. Ever
J. the colored women-slaves of her fatho
; uttered towards her bitter reproaches
. Poor Jane discovered that one falls,
{ step had worked out for her disgrac,
and sorrow. Matters were thus whci
! hay harvest began on her fathers farm
}, OF blacks and hired men there were
u about dozen moving in the field
There were some half dozen whit,
ladies at her fathers that day (Jul,
1Sth) assisting her mother at quilt
The conversation turned on the easiest
e mode of DEATH Some said drowning
Q and some said hanging; but the major
u death About five o'clock p. NJ. Jan
left the quilt, passed out along tn
porch, and took under her apron q small
q rope left there by some one. She passe,
;, along the field fence where the me
WSIG hO"ibSj anu OuiJ OhS VI eHOhA 90
~ :, her, and he did not know that it VIC
Jane. At supper she was missing. Th
A. night passed, and no tidings of he
They supposed that she must have gon
to neighbor's in that vicinity, and
person started thither. About ha
y mile from the field was the body of th
once beautiful Jane johnson, suspcnde
ot from the limb of tree, cold and iifeless
Q; and much blackened and swollen. Sh
az would have become mother in a fe
months more. I knew her we'll l wi
then a small boy. Never shall I forg'
g, the shock upon the feelings of tt
numerous friends and acquaintances
'A her fathers family. Fifty-three yeal
!, have passed away since that sad TRACED
~ but my heart bleeds afrcsh in pennih
eu this short notice of her mournful en-,
n April, 1870. PACIFIC
no TURNING THE DEVIL TO GRASS