Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-13
An Ancient Jesse James.


One of the most noted desperadoes pl
early times was man named mason.
He first established himself at the "Cave
in Rock"-a remarkable limestone for-
nation about one hundred miles above
the mouth of the Ohio-where, under
the guise of keeping store for the ac-
commodation of boatmen and emil
grants, he enticed them into his power.
After numbering his victims of treach-
cry, he would, by the hands of his COM
federates, send there boats to New Or
leans for sale. He finally disappeared
from b S old quarters, and estaollshed
himself on the trace" made through
the wilderness Of Mississippi and Ten
nessee by the fiat-boatmen and traders
while returning by land from New Or
leans to heffhomes in the west. Mason
increased in power, and, with his organ
lied band, became so celebrated for MS
robberies and murders that he was
dreaded from the banks of the Missls-
sippi to the highlands of Tennessee.
Over all this vast extent of country, II
the buzzards were seen high in air,
circling over any particular spot, the
remark was made, "Another murder
has been committed by Mason and his
gang"
Numerous attempts were madeto ar
rest him. but ne always managed to es-
cape. A party of gentlemen, mostly
wealthy planters from the vicinity OF
Natchez, once organized themselves
into party and went in pursuit OF the
told robber. Coming to the banks OF
Pearl river, "signs" were manifest that
his gang were in the vicinity. Before
attempting to make the proposed seizure,
il was determined to rest the
hoises and partake of refreshments.
These things having been accomplish
ed, two of the party, seduced by the
beauty and GOODNESS of the stream,
went in to battle. In the course OF their
recreation they crossed to the opposite
hank. and found themselves in the
hands of Mason. The outlaw, aware
that he was pursued, determined 70 effect
by stratagem what hed did not deem poll
cy to effect by force. 1t was therefore that
he rushed down and seized the two
prisoners. The party on the opposite
Shore saw the manpuvre and instantly
seized their arms. Mason who had
commanding figure, admirably set OIL
by hunters dress, presented bold
front, and announced that any further
hostile demonstration would result In
the instant death of his helpless cap
tiyes. He then ordered his pursuers, II
they desired to save the lives Of their
friends, to obey him implicitly and at
once-that for the time being he was
willing to negotiate for the safety OF
himself and men. He then.ordered the
party to stack their arms and deposit
their ammunition on the beach, stating
that he would send for them, but that
upon any violence offered to his
messenger, or any visible hesitation to
obey, ne should destroy his prisoners;
if otherwise, they were to be set at liber-
ty--Mason pledging his honor that he
would not take any advantage OF his
victory.
There was no choice. The weapons
were duly deposited as directed, and
two of MasOn's gang, out OF number
who had arrived, dashed into the stream
to take possession of them, the prisoners
meanwhile standing in full sight with
rifles pointing to their heads. The de-
sired property was finally placed in the
outlaws possession, whereupOn he re-
leased his prisoners, and, waving good
humored farewell, he disappeared in the
deep shadows of the surrounding wilder
ness.
Treachery, however, at last effected
what courage and enterprise could not
accomplish. \ citizen of great respec-
liability, passing with his two sons
through the forest, was plundered by
bandits. The public was aroused. Gov.
Claiborne of the Mississippi territory Of
fered large reward for the outlaw, dead
or alive. The proclamation was widely
distributed; copy reached Mason, and
was to him source of intense merrl-
ment. Two Ofhis band, however, were
determined to obtain the reward; and
while they We're engaged with Mason III
counting some money one OF them
drove tOmahawk into his brain. His
head was severed from his body, and,
placed in a sack, borne in triumph to
Washington, then the seat of the terri
tOrial government.
The head of the rObber was recOg-
nized by many of the citizens who saw
it. Large crowds from the surrounding
country assembled to assure themselves
that their enemy was really dead, and
curious to see the individuals whose dar-
ing proves had relieved the country of
a scOurge. Among the spectators were
the two young men, who, unfortunate
ly for the hero traitors, recognized them
as the robbers of their father and them
selves. The wretcheS were seized, tried
for their crimes, and hung. And this
ended the last and most noted gang of
robbers that infested the "Natchez and
Nashville trace"