Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1882-06-29
Selected Storu.
Mason. the Bandit.

the "Cave in the Rock, a remarkable
limestone formation about one hun.
dred miles above the mouth of the
IOhio. where, under the gnise Of keep.
ing store for the accommodation OF
boatmen and emigrant4, he entlced
them into his power. After murder
iEg these victims Of treache!y he would
by the hands Of his cGntederatps send
their boats to New Orleans for sale
He finally disappeared from his old
Quarters and established himself on
the great "trace" made through the
wilderness Of Mississippi and Tenesse.
by the flat boatmen and traders while
returning, by land, from New Orleans
to their homes in the west Mason
Increased in power, and with biz or
ganiz41 band, became so celebrated q
for his robberes and murders that he
was dreaded from the banks o. the
Mississippi TO the highest lands OF
Tennessee. Over this vast extent Of
country, if the brzzards were seen
high in the air clrcllng over any par
ticular spot, IL e remark was made
"Another murder has been commltte |
by Mason and his gang"
Numerous attempts were made tc
arrest him, bat lie a ways managed &c
escape. y party of gentIomen, most
" wealthy planters from the vicinity
OF NatcheA, once organized IL emSeIve'
into a party and Went IN pursuit OF
the bold lobher. Coming to the
banks Of Peall river, signs We're mani
fest that his gang was in the vlclnltV
Before attemptlug to make the pro
posed seizure 1t Was detsrinlnei tC
rest the horees and psrtake of re
freshments. These things having
been accomplished, two OF the party
seluced by the beauty and GOODNESS o
the stream, went in TO bathe. In tn
eourse Of their recreation they crosse d
to the opposite bank and found them
selye. in the hands Of Mason. The
outlaw, aware that Ae was pursued
determined TO effect 10y stlatAgeu
hat he did not deem policy to effect
Ibv force. 1t was therefore that be
rushed down and -elL,d the two prls
oners. The party on the opposite
shore perceived the maneuvre aud in
,tant.v seized their arms. Mason
who la commanding figure ad,
mirab,y set off by hunters dress
pre.entel A bold front, and announced
that any further hostile delnonstra'
tjons would result in the instant deatt
Of hIs helpless captives He then or
derel his pursuerS, II they desired tt
save the lives Of their friends to obey
him implicitly and at once-that lol
the time being be WAS wiling to nego
tate for Il he safety of himself and men
He then ordered the party to stack
their arms and deposit their amunI'
ton Oh the beach, stating that he
would send for them, but that upor
any violence offered to his messenger
or any visible hesitation to obey lie
| should destroy his prisoners; 1t other
wise, they We're tn be set at LIBERTY
Mason pledging his honor that he
would not ia Ike advantage OF hls VIC
tory.
There was no choice. The weapons
were duly deposited as directed, ano
two of Masons gang, out OF number
who Lad arrived, dashed into the
stream to axe possession OF them, th'
prisoners meanwhile standing i'll full
sight with rifles pointed at tnel'
heads. The desired property was IL
nally placed in the outlaws possession
whereupon lie released his prisoners
and waving good humored farewell
he Disappeared in the deep shadows
Of the surrounding wilderness. Treach
cry, however at last effected wha
courage and enterprise could not as
comphsh. A citizen of great reSpon
sibillty, passing with hls two son
through the forest, was plundered b.
the bandits. The public was aroused
j Governor Claiborne Of tue Mississippi
territory offered d large reward to
the outlaw, dead Of alive. The yrov