The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-10-21
Western Robbers Sixty Years Ago.

gives III luUcicStiuS dCCOuuV VI hiBuWdy
robbers and murderers who were cele-
brated half a century ago in what was
then the Far West. In those times West
ern men brought their produce down the
river in fatboats, and when they sold
out their cargoes they would return in
large companies together by land. l
once noticed, says the writer, that three
men made their appearance, one of
whom was remarkable for his very fero-
cious countenance. He had a scar of a
deep saber cut across his brow. They
were dressed like backwoOds farmers, and
mingled freely with the boatmen. They
"chaffed a good deal about the price of
a good many articles, but nothing seemed
to satisfy them. Having made them
selves acquainted with all the boatmen,
they at last disappeared.
About two months after these ruffians
had disappeared, the whole country was
startled by the news that q large COM
pany of Kentuckians had been robbed by
band of robbers upon the Nashville
trace. Shorty after, three gentlemen
father and his two sons-started for
Kentucky, and when they had got pretty
we'll into the wilderness, they, too, were
met and robbed of everything they had
This excited the community to the high
est pitch of indignation. They besought
Governor ClaybO to bring the power
of the Government to bear. and arrest
the robbers. He accordingly offered a
large reward for them, dead or alive.
Great was the merriment made by
Mason-that was the bandits name
and his men when they read the Govern
or's proclamation. They laughed and
ridiculed it. How long he could have de-
fed the authorities no one knows, if
there had not been treachery in the
band. The old adage that there is honor
among thieves did not hold good in this
case. One night they were sitting
around their blazing camp-fres. They
had mace a successful raid upon the
settlement, and Mason was distributing
the booty. Little Harp crept up behind
him, and buried tomahawk in his
head. Mason fell dead. The conspira-
tors then chopped off his head, and
brought it to Washington, the seat of
government, and claimed the reward.
When it was noised around that the
great robber, Mason, was killed, and that
his head was in Washington for identifi-
cation, all the people in the settlement,
far and near, fOcked to see it. Many of
them recognized it at once, and swore to
it. The men who had done the deed
were hailed as public benefactors.
Now, although the Governor had
promised large reward, yet, unfOrtun-
ately, when he called for the money, it
was found that the treasury was empty.
OF course the captors of Mason were de-
layed in getting their pay. This led to
a dc lection of the conspirators, for it so
happened that the old gentleman and
his two sons who had been robbed, were
among the number who came to look at
the robbers head. The moment they
laid their eyes on Little Harp they ex-
changed glances. The father slipped
out, and, in lite while, appeared with
an officer. Raising his voice, and point
ing his finger at Little Harp, he said:
81 charge you, sir, as being one OF
Mascn's gang of robbers" Little Harp
was seized, and his accomplice also. This
was almost as startling to the crowd as
was the sight of Mason's head.
At that time there was little town in
Jefferson county, near Charbley's Fork OF
Coles Greek, named Greenville, in honor
of General Nathaniel Green. This lit
tie village was then the county seat
thither Little Harp was taken, regularly
tried, and convicted. He was hung, and
the band of Mason, being deprived OF
its most skillful lieutenant, dispersed.
and was never heard of afterward.
The story of "Little Harp" has al.
ready been written in a little volume
called "HalPs Legends of the West" II
appears that there were two brothers O
that name, who were the most daring
robbers that ever infested Kentucky
They were called, by way of distinction
Big Harp and Little Harp, on account o.
the difference in their size. The people
of Kentucky had become exasperated al
their outrag, s, and determined to hunt
them to the death. The pursuit wal
carried OH with the patience of tht
sleuth hound, until, at last, they were
overtaken. Big Harp was pursued by {
gigantic Kentuckian. They haC run
ming fight on horseback for hours, until
at last, Harp's horse fell. Then came {
hand. to. hand fight. It was tremendou
struggle between these two Western
giants, but, at last, Harp fell, moitall,
wounded. He died-his head was sew
cred from his body, and was stuck on
pole at the crossroads in Kentucky, ant
the spot was, for long time, called tn
"Harp's Head"
While the bigger brother was beinl
thus hotly pursued, Little Harp escaped
and joined Mason's band.