Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-04-28
AN AMAZON'S RECEPTION.
AN INCIDENT OF 1779.

"TRYoN is comingl Tryon is comingr'
was the cry that blanched many a cheek
in Connecticut in the month of July,
1873.
This news that spread like wildfre
about the towns of Fairfield and Norwalk
was well calculated to excite alarm in pat.
uiOtic breasts, for Tyron was merciless
invader and wherever he went the torch
completed his work of destruction. In
the month of February of the year Just
written he had ravaged Kingsbridge and
Horse Neck, and now, for the second
time, had entered the State.
His soldiers committed, under his very
eye, atrocities of the most shocking de-
scription; they plundcrcd without dis.
tinction; old and young, rich and poor,
telt alike the merciless hands of the Kings
man. East Haven, Fairfield and Nor.
walk were reduced to ashes, and thou
sand acts of barbarOus cruelty were per
petrated on the homeless patriots. A force
sufficient TO check the advance of the in
vader could not be raised in the State.
Connecticuts able bodied patriots were
absent in the army, and their homes
were us defenseless as the lions whclps
when the parents are away in search of
food.
Coz. Tryon knew that he would find
Connecticut completely at his mercy, and
congratulated himself ON the easy CON
quest that invited him 10 her shores. He
succeeded in his errand of devastation,
and returned to his superiors with victory
in his hand. But he made his name
odious throughout North America, and
his memory eXccrable to every patriot in
the land.
Not far from Norwalk stood the plain
home OF Barbara Bidlack, whose husband
was an artlllerist doing duty under Knox
She was large, muscular woman whose
strength was prodigiOus it has gained
Tor her the s0brtguet of Mrs Hercules, :"
title of which she was rather proud
than otherwise. Her features were rath-
er inclined 10 coarseness, and close
physiognomist would have concluded
that there was Celtic blood in her veins.
As she had no children, she was the sole
occupant of her house, and her nearest
nelghbor was young woman named Ha-
ven, who had lost her husband at the bat
tie of Brier Creek.
Mis-. Bidlack. who seldom exchanged
visits with the young widow, was not
aware of Tryon's second invasion until he
began to approach Norwalk. The terror
OF the Inhabitants, many of whom were
abandoning their homes, acquainted her
with the disastrous state of affairs, and her
eyes flashed fire when she exclaimed to
the fugitiy yes:
You may go if you wish; but two
hundred such rascals as Gov. Tryon can
not irighten Barbara Bidack one inch from
her home! If the relocated scoundrel
enters my house he'll meet with n recep.
tion he'll never lorgetr
More than once she was urged TO fly,
but disdained with proud and defiant
curl of the lip, and awaited with eagerness
the arrival of the invaders
She was soon treated to a sight of Nor
walk in flames, and saw the torch applied
to her neighbors houses. But the specta-
Gle moved her not; she did not even bar
ricade ncr door, nor suspend for mo-
ment the performance of her household
duties. But all the time there was an in
dignant gleam in her eyes, and more than
once she glanced at the old musket which
occupied one corner OF her kitchen.
1t was near the hour of noon one sultry
day in July when Barbara Bidlack, about
to discuss the frugal meal she had pre-
pared, was startled by heavy footstep.
Lifting her eyes from the steaming meat
that graced the little table, she beheld a
British officer standing in the door. His
aspect did not frighten her in the least,
though she knew from his uniform that
he was soldier of lofty rank.
Another plate, Mrs. Herculesl' he
commanded, in naughty tone, striding
forward, and at the same time putting his
hand on the hilt of his sword, as If to
trighten her.
She smiled derisively as she slowly rose
to her feet.
Who are you, sir?"
am a man mighty we'll known
hereabouts, and dare say that the rebels
wiz not soon forget me! My name is
TryonrP
GoverneQr TFyon, the British rascal
the man who nurns houses over widows
heads, and rObs ithe babe of its cradleP If
y0u are GovcrnOk TryOn know you for
the meanest villain that ever trod New
soil"
TyOn's face 81 Few crimson, but smoth-
ering his rage, hf burst forth into cruel
laugh.
4" You are justt the vixen l heard you
werel" he excl,timed. They call you
Mr.. Hercules throughout this region,
and must say you resemble the stable.
god in build, Where is your
7"
4" Under the flag that wouldn't own YOU
as DEFENDER was tse reply.
He's rebel, thenl said Tryon, with
a sneer.
Like his wifel He's soldier, too,
and not a house burner"
Mrs. Hercules, | discover that nv
clemency is not recognized by the people |
OF this State, and that my Kings heart is |
supposed to contain no good. Why, my
dear woman, the existence of a Single |
house on the coast is a monument of |
King Georges mercy, and mine! But |
we will discuss this subject at the table. | |
have ridden several miles TO enjoy tete. |
d-tete. with a woman of whom / have |
heard much, and besides, l am hungry.
That meat looks palatable."
" 1t wasn't cooked for q British Cen
eral J" exclaimed the fearless woman, with
flashing eyes, and the next minute she re- |
moved the meat and thrust il into her rude
cupboard, TO the CONSERVATION of the Gov.
ernor.
Come, comel" he said; 81 do not
want TO sit down 10 a cold dinner.u
Then 60 somewhere else and get your
dinner! There are sneaking tories about
Norwalk who would rejoice 10 tickle your
tongue with the best they have in the
house."
The BritOn's anger rose again.
command that meat 10 be renlaced
upon the tablel' he said, drawing his
sword. Your accursed insolence Is moi
becoming 70 one Of your sex; and will
bear II no longerl can assure you now
that to-morrow's sun will shine upon
heap Of ashes instead OF this hot-bed of re-
bellioa. Now hustle about and get the
last dinner you will ever set before a
guest beneath this roof"
" You prefer a warm dinner?" Mrs.