The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-08-12
How George m. lessee Fright
eued n NefQhbOT.
[Drennon Springs Corresrondence Cine
natl Commercial

[Drennon Springs Correspondence Cincin-
natl Commercial.
While recalling the war period, i am
reminded that one Of the most familiar
ly known among guerrilla fighters in
Kentucky was Colonel George NJ. Jes.
see, who led troop Of wandering cav
airy. The chief sins laid at the door of
his company himself, however, we're sins
of commission in Union horsehesh, L
believe. His house is about four miles
North Of Newcastle, aud, from photo
graph shown me to-day, he would seem
a kindly, simple hearted man enough,
but he is said to be irresistibly fascinat-
ing among the ladies. He was mcm-
ber of the Kentucky Legislature IN his
youth, by the way-but since the war
has lived quietly on his farm. One OF
his adventures, just after President Lin
coins first election, seems good enough
for recollection, and it is because Of this
that aIlude to him. Late in 1860 there
was iu this part of kentucky deeply
fixed apprehension of an uprising of
slaves against their masters, and one OF
Jesse's friends, his nearest neighbor,
named Tom Force, having a large num-
Der of negroes, was especially fearful.
jesse, knowing his neighboIs weakness,
thought hcwould give him shake with
practical joke. One evening, after
sunset, therefore, be approached Forces
house from behind, disguised in ragged
clothes, his head wrapped in bandanna,
with face and feet properly blacked,
bride upon his arm, and perched himself
on fence between the house aud an ad-
Joining cornfeld. Force seeing him
there was frightened, but ordered him to
go away. The pretended strange negro
answered impudently, and said he was
"gwine when he pleased" but presently
got down, and started of. Force then
took courage and asked him where be
was going. "I's gwine bout my busi-
ness you'd better tend to your,n.
This, in negro, looked ominous. The
next day Force went around among his
neighbors, telling them of the appear
ance Of this strange negro, and prophe-
sying an insurrection. The following
evening Jessee reappeared in the same
disguise, at about the same place on Fo-
ree's fence. The latter, greatly fright
ened, told him if he didn't go away he'd
shoot him. "D-n you, shoot If
YOU want to-" answered the negro,
boldly; "you'll find 1 can shoot, too.
You better member white mans rules
bout over in desc parts. Massa Lincum
and de cullud folks is gwine to take fairs
in deir hans in dis State pretty soon
now" Then, after few minutes, ho
disappeared again into the corntield. Fo-
rec feared to follow him alOnG but get
ting his pistols and horse, set off to
alarm his neighbors, little squad OF
whom started to hunt the threatening
negro. Jessee had been willing to let
them trace him, and somewhat reckless
Iy allowed them to overtake and ap-
proach him. Heowas ordered to stop,
but paid no heed, whereupon be - fired
at by one of the party. He still refused
to stand, aud moved ahead in the dark,
when he was fired upon again. This
time he fell, shot through the neck and
seriously wounded, when, being recog-
nized, he had to be carried home, aud lay
for several weeks in peril Of bis life. OF
course the laugh was on nslgnOOI cVLSS,
but Jessee could hardly enjoy it. By
the way, the member of the party who
shot jesse was a young fellow named
Nutall, nephew of the celebrated Ken
lucky Judge who once adjourned his
court, at frankfort, in oEder that tho
honorable body might see the elephant
ford the Kentucky river.