Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-01-20
[Original.l
DAVID TANNING.

fiction, and always more instructive. During
the Revolutionary war, the Wings were often
engaged in daring adventures and made mar
row escapes from being hanged. In Chatham
county, North Carolina, there lived, during
the war, man by the name of David Fan
ming, or Fannen. He was born in Wake
county, but moved, in ITS, when he was
twenty-four years old, into Chatham. He was
loom-maker by trade, but cruel villain at
heart. So soon as the British took possession
of Wilmington, Tanning concluded that he
stood far better chance to rise in the world
by turning tory and plundering his neighbors,
than by making looms. Col. Craig, who COM
manded the post at Wilmington, at once per-
ceived that Tanning might be made very use
full to his Majesty's cause. In order that
Fanning might promote the interests Of the
British, he was made Colonel of the royal
militia, and presented with a fine uniform. A
generous hearted old tory by the name Of
Lindsay, gave him a fine horse, and Craig
gave him spair of pistols and holsters. Thus
fitted up, David Tanning showed himself to
be dangerous enemy to the cause Of the
Wings. At one time he dashed into Hillsbor-
ough and succeeded in capturing Thomas
Burke, the Governor of North Carolina.
Tanning became the terror Of the whole coun-
try, and frequent efforts were made to cap
ture him.
On one occasion, when he and his party
were in the neighborhood of Drowning creek,
a man by the name of Andrew Hunter deter
mined to dash in upon the dreaded loyalist
and free his countrymen from the many cru
elites to which they were subjected by him and
This party. Hunter was as reckless as Fan
ming. He was ready to undertake anything
that had the appearance Of being beneficial
to the cause of the Wings. The attempt to
capture flaming was made, but it failed.
Tanning had more men than Hunter thought
he had, and the result was that the Whig
party was routed. They were forced to re-
treat; not in order it would seem, but every
man for himself. They were pursued with
great spirit by the tories. 1t so turned out
that Hunter was pursued by Tanning himself.
Hunter was riding fleet mare that he called
the Red Doe. He thought that he was safe,
believing that Red Doe could not be caught
by any animal in the tory camp. He was
mistaken and to his disappointment, he and
Red Doe fell into the hands of Tanning.
Soon after the personal encounter in which
Hunter was overcome, number Of Fanning's
men rode up. They dismounted and sat down
to rest and to give their horses time to rest
also. The unfortunate Hunter knew that he
must either escape or die. The tories were
| full of fun, and all at Hunters expense.
Tanning left his horse short distance, and
was sitting carelessly, feeling certain that
Hunter was securely in his hand. Hunter
watched his chance, and knowing that Fan
ning's horse was the swiftest one in the COM
pany, he sprang upon his back and put spur
to him and dashed off for his life. Fanning's
men quickly seized their guns but Tanning,
thinking, no doubt, that Hunter could be
again captured, and prizing his horse very
highly, ordered the men to "aim high" that
the horse might not be hit Hunter was hit
in the shoulder, but made good his escape
with Fanning's horse and pistols.
Hunter named the horse Red Buck. He
kept him until after the war, and rode him, at
one time, down to Charleston, where he met
Tanning. 1t is said that Tanning demanded
Red Buck, but that Hunter refused to give
him up. Tanning then challenged Hunter to
fight him. The challenge was accepted, and
it was agreed that they should meet the next
morning on the green near the city and fight
with swords on horseback. The next morn
ing came, and the thing having been general
ly known, large concourse of people assem-
bled to see the fight. Hunter, at the appoint
ed time, appeared upon the field riding Red
Buck; but David Tanning had changed his
mind during the night, and concluded that
Andrew Hunter might keep Red Buck.
After the war, some time, David Tanning
left the country and went to Nova Scotia.
Andrew Hunter lived in Darlington county,
South Carolina, and was, at one time, chosen
member of the legislature from that county.
David Tanning did not take Red Doe with
him to Nova Scotia. Perhaps he lost her
when he was wounded at Lindley's Mill, on
Cane Creek. Be that as it may, Red Doe
remained in North Carolina, and became the
mother of highly priced family. Z