Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-09-08

no hand in it, but TO stay ut home, ii they
would let me. soon saw that was not
to be let alone, lor was published rs n
! rebel sympathiser. and that was enough
TO get one into hot water, those times. l
had been accused ui harboring bush
whackers; but | resolved not Ia harbor
any, and TO tell the truth whenever my
conduct was Investigated.
"Well, one night. n party ot about u
dozen men rode up Ia the house and dis
mounted, claiming to be bushwhnckers.
Now you must bear in mind. thai although
was IN favor Of the Union. | could not
help sympathizing with the south. All
my relatives auI my wife's kin we've in
the south. and how could amy man help
his sympathics going out toward those he
loved?
well. didu't 20 cut whom them fcl.
lcrs rode up, but soruc of the family did.
and after awhile they went away. Now
YOU see this WAS ruse. They thought
TO come here aud get me 10 commit my
self, aud then come back and shoot me,
ns they had done others. Now. these in
dependent ielers-Red Heads rs they
we're sometimes called--wcre grcat Tel
lers to lix up their heads with ribbons.
Why. youngster. they used togo into the
houses and take the gals ibOon hxins
aud curtain taSsels. tie 'em on their hat,
and take red saddle gir.s Tor sword sash
es. Great lellrrs Tor red. sure.
"Well. The old lady had gone. one
Sunday evening, To my brothers., to see
his sick child. aud my two boys were
gone TO neighbor Bonney's. The old
lady got back in the evening and as she
got oil the little black horse one OF the
girls rode it around TO the big gate. !
went to the gate 10 open it. when | saw
about forty men coming up the road.
My God" | says. ''arc those bush
wbackers coming here? They'll be the
ruin of me sure But while was con
ieciuring what 10 do, saw the ribbons
GA their hats. and knew them to be Red
Heads" though / had never seen them
before.
We'll, | led The little black to the other
/ side Of the lot and unsaddled it. had
started back to The gate, when one OF the
/ patty rode up to II and tried TO kick II
open,
Now, was going TO open the gate
/ lot him. but hu ~as 80 unnanuur.N about
it that just let hm do it bimso'i. lie
ppArd IL open with hls gun, aud leaned
back against itco 10 wait his coming.
The others pretended 10 ride on by. but
went beyond the house aud stopped
I This lclicr Who came through ,he gate
Mas the worst IunA'us ui.sn ! ever saw.
/ | could read murdar IA h,s eye rs lao carnc
/ gaIlopiug towards ne, and pulled his
horse up within an inch Oi my Lace, with
hi, cooked c.IrOiuu pointed ut my breast.
/ never il.nchcd.
"'lluye You seen any Lushwhackers.
/ you d - ho roared.
YES SAID in very loud tone, Il
have
"'Where did they CO. he demanded
fereey.
The ether day squad came here.
i 4 -, | -utI v,srN
loud. in utdur thnl The Others might
hear. and pointed in the direction thu
lolmer party took.
IL expected 10 he shot the next mo
meat. but just then the rest came galiop
iug into the yard. and pulled my would
be.murderer away. lie was furious; but
they kept him at disLs nce. II appeared
afterwards that this cusS had been sent
ahead Of the rest. TO see If | would deny
the presencs Of the other party. IL
did deny having seen them. that was 10
10 evidence lhat harDored bushwhack'
ers, and he was 10 shcOl me on the spot.
AT last they got him pacIied. and he
commenced 10 question me. They want
ed to know i! had norUr fed bush
whackers. and gave them TO understand
that was not Ia that business. Then
they demanded something To cal. toid
them that my wife was mol in good health,
that had no niggers, and that my boys
were not here to help her.
"'Where are your boys? Out teedin
bushwhackers | suppose
IL told them that the boys were gone
10 neighbor Bunuey'S, and | WAS looking
for them bacS soon. Then they went 10
the stable aud horse lot, to help them
selves 10 what they wanted.
IL tell you. youngster. l felt queer WIN
them iullors swarming in my yard and
buildings, cussiu' and sweariu' who might
st any moment take il into their heads TO
shoot mo. At last they grew clamorous
Tor something 10 cut, and my old lady d.d
her best TO get sonelhn' Tor em.
"I noticed one oi the officers kept
mighty close to me, aud what it all meant
could not tell. A1cr while they got
ready TO start, when the officer rides up
10 me and says in u low tone,
81 advise you as ,riend TO get out oil
here rs soon rs you eau; these parts Is
yettin' too warm Tor you.
IL knew too we'll his meaning. When
they were gone went TO the stable "
ace whnl had lett. Alter much search