Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-11-05
STAY OF EXECUTION.
A TALE or THE REVOLUTION.


In the year 1880, after the British
had taken Charleston, South Carroll.
na, that unfortunate State was over.
run by British and Tories, who CON-
mitted horrid outrages on the defense.
less inhabitants; the Tories being the
most cruel and brutal.
The only force the Americans had
at this time to contend with these
blood thirsty tends, was some small
bands Of patriots, led by Marion,
Sumpter and Winn. These fearless
sons Of liberty lived in the woods and
swamps, and oftimes had to subsist
on roots and berries; but they gave
the enemy, both British and Tories, o
great deal Of trouble.
At the time Of which write Gen.
Sumpter, with small band OF fear
less men, each Of whom was a sharp.
shooter and could split the bulls eye
at one hundred yards every shot,
(their superior skill in shooting made
them dangerous foes was encamped
in q retired place on the great Pedee.
A young sergeant named Horatio
Pickens was well-to-do- planter, own
ing a fine estate, with good buildings.
He was married man; his wifes
maiden name was Rutledge--a niece
of Governor Rutledge. Mrs. Pickens
was a lady Of refinement, of brave
turn, and, like her husband, was a
staunch Wing. They had two small
children. Mr.. Pickens owned doz.
en- slaves, who worked his plantation.
His overseer, an African, named Dick,
was a very stout, active man, and be-
ing good hand his master valued him
highly and had therefore made him
overseer, and boss in general when he
was about. When this narrative
opens Sergeant Pickens had Joined
Sumpter's little hand OF patriots, and
leaving his lovely wife and tender
children under charge Of Dick, who
promised "marst dat he was gwine to
defend dc mistis and de children while
he hab ono drap oh beed in his
wanes."
The gallant Sumpter and his brave
little band committed fearful ravages
on tho enemy, the Tories in partiou.
lar. The Tories became desperate,
and as Sergeant Pickens was one Of
the most daring men 10 the band they
determined to have him, cost what Il
might. They visited Dick, and after
questioning the treacherous villain,
they found that be was the very dom
on they wanted. Dick promised them
"dat when dc boss KUN home be
would let dem no, and help dem to
ketch him" They promised the trai-
tor in return, that if he would betray
his master they would make him q
present of Pickens' plantation, and
give him his freedom. The prelimi.
naries being settled, the fiend incar-
nate set his wits to work to betray
his master TO the enemy, where he
we'll knew certain death awaited him.
Mr.. Pickens had always been kind to
this negro, and had treated him more
like brother than q slave, and Dick |
in return was now going to repay him |
IS Monteith did Sir William Wallace.
In the month of June, 1850, Gen.
Sumpter and his brave band were en-
camped as above stated tho rendez-
vous being entirely unknown to the
enemy, and no one even suspected that
Sumpter was in the neighborhood -
The encampment was about four miles
rom the loms Of ~. Pickens, and he
obtained furlough from his General
or two days TO enable him to pay
lying visit TO bis family. He there
ore left tho encampment after dark
Ind sought bis loved ones. On the
next morning when Dick found dat
le marst was to home, be appeared to
10 overjoyed. He wished to know II
10 boss would stay homo the succeed
ng night, and the master told him he
suspecting the negro's
reachery. The willy savage now
lsked "where dc rest OBJ de boys am"
N. Mr.. Pickens did not tell him. Il
About noon Dick came in apparently
,reatly agitated. He was weeping
RELY, and told bis master dat his
mother was dying, and be wished to
lnow IL he could hab,A boss and. lib
rty TO 60 and zee her. His master
old him to take the best horse and
70 and see her by all means. II
The traitor. left, but instead Of going
o see his mother, (who was not even
ick, he went at speed to Tory rem
ezvous about ten miles distant, and ,
old the captain of this band Of cut '
hroats that his master was at home !
nd alone; that he was going to stay ,
yer night, and strongly urged the 6
rutal Tories TO come and take him, c
nd that he would be on hand to help
hem. or course they joyfully ac-
epted tho invitation, telling the be- Q
rayer that they would be At the man. 9
ion before twelve o'clock that eve- '
ing. Dick returned homo and re- '
ortcd hia unothev botfar nurtno ~ tha I,