The daily gazette., 1879-08-20
JANE McCREA.
BYr.p.

There are few American women
around whom more interest has center
ed than jams McCrea, her sad fate amid
The complexities Of civil war investing
her career with everything that can
awaken the sympathy Of the human
heart. ul -, - t.-...
Byrn in the parsonage of little Epi:-
copal church 10 New Jersey, over which
her father presided till his death, . few
years before the outbreak Of the Revo-
i1tlon, she had grown up a beautiful
blue-eyed girl. with auburn hair and Q
fresh complexion. Her brother having
resolved TO try his fortunes in Northern
New York, she accompanied him to the
upper Hudson. the old battle-ground be-
tween New York and Canada, now with
boil. .colohies under one rule, promising
to grow IN population and importance
with inconceivable rapidity. Settling
near Fort Edward, the McCreas became
general favorites, and Jane won tn
heart and devotion of young man nam
cd David Jones. 'i..Ir.- ~. .i- -
The fair horizon began to cloud over;
war was again to sweep over the from
tier. The Revolution began, and before
the revolted colonies declared their in
dependence, when their officers scarcely
knew in whose name they c'ed, their
troops were marching, ~ Of old. on the
Canada borders. Families divided,
friends parted forever, TO side with king
or colony. Young Jones FASTENED to
Canada to give his arm to the royal cause
and when Bufgoyne advanced into New
York, Jones was captain in a provincial
regiment. As the British forces approach
ed the scene of his former life, the spot
where she whom he priced above life
for her safety. And Jane, oh her side,
fingered at the house Of Mrs. McNiel, y
widow lady, whose house stood near the
foot Of mill, a short distance north Of
Fort Edward.
ID. Captain Jones at last sent some In
dams with q letter to her, In which he
entreated her to put herself under their
guidance, as he saw no other means by
which she could safely reach him, any
I0us, from the hatred felt for him by his
old associates. She accordingly started
With Mrs. Mcneil, and had proceeded
about q quarter of q mile to the summit
Of the hiH, to 1ne spring near a huge
pine tree. Here her Indian guides
halted, and were suddenly Joined by an
other party, who had attacked neigh
boring picket of American soldiers, kill
lDg the lieutenant and Ave others. These
men. flushed with victory, and heated
by The sight Of bl sod, had, it seems, been
included BY Captain Jones In those to
whom he promised reward for bring
ing in Miss McCrea, whom they sup
posed some prisoner ofimportance whose
rerson he desired to secure, and not ap-
parently conscious of his real wishes.
They began to quarrel about the fair
division of the expected reward, aud
even came to Violence and blows. In the
midst of 1t, chief cOolly drew a pistol,
and fred at Miss -McCrea. Pierced to
The heart, she fell and expired without a
struggle. The Indian then sci lied her
long auburn locks, and In q moment
bounded up with the scalp.cry as he
tossed the bloody trophy In the air. 1,
was all he bore to Captain Jones
prove that he had fulfilled his commits
sion.
The body Of the murdered giil, lef
under the tree, gashed and manglsd, wa,
found by the American party sent out II
pursuit Of the savage assailants. HeI
brother soon FASTENED to the spot, and
bore her remains to a quiet resting place
on the river side. ~
Mystery long hung over the cause of
her death, but the return of Samuel
Standisn, picket taken by one of the
parties, and helpless, wounded spes-
latOr Of the scenes, removed all doubt.
The royalist captain never recovered
from the shock; he lived few years, and
soon died brOken-hearted.