The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-05-06
MONROE, LOUISIANA, SATURDAY.. MAY 6, 1882.
PREDECESSORS OF JESSE JAMES.

PREDECESSOR OF JESSE JAMES.
The Murder Of Mason, the Famous Des-
PeradO of Long Ago.
lHarper's Magazine.1
One of the most noted desperadoes Of
early times was man named Mason.
He first established himself at the
stCave in Rock'-a remarkable lime
stone formation about 100 miles above
the mouth of the Ohio-where, under
the guise of keeping store tor the &C
comodation of boatmen and emigrants,
he enticed them into his power. After
numbering these victims Of treachery,
he would, by the hands of his confedcr-
ates, send their boats to New Orleans
for sale. He finally disappeared from
his old quarters and established himself
on the great sstrace'' made through the
wilderness of Mississippi and Tennessee
by the flatboatmen and traders while
returning, by land, from New Orleans
to their homes in the West. Mason
increased in power, and, with his Or
ganized band, became SO celebrated for
his robberies aud murders that he was
dreaded from the banks of the Mfssis-
sippi to the high lands of Tennessee.
Over all this vast extent of country if
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 made to ar
rest him, but he always managed to
escape. A party of gentlemen, mostly
wealthy planters from the vicinity
of Natchez, once organized themselves
into party and went in pursuit of the
bold robber. Coming to the banks of
Pearl River, ssigns'' were manifest
that his gang were in the vicinity.
Before attempting to make the pro-
posed seizure, it was determined 10 rest
the horses and partake of refreshments.
These things having been accomplished,
two of the party, seduced by the beauty
and coolness of the stream, went in to
bathe. In the course of their recreation
they crossed to the opposite bank, and
found themselves in the hands of
Mason. The outlaw, aware that he was
pursued, determined to effect by strata
gem what he did not deem policy to ef-
feet by force. It was therefore that he
rushed down and seized the two priso-
ners. The party on the opposite shore
saw the maneuvre and instantly seized
their arms. Mason, who had a COM
manding figure, admirably set off by
a hunters dress, presented a bold
front, and announced that any further
hostile demonstrations would result in
the instant death of his helpless cap
tives. F.- t*.t.
He then ordered his pursuers, if 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 for 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 up
on any violence offered to his messen-
yer, OE duy V4SlOlc AeSlldllOu ~ OOcy3
he should destroy his prisoners; if
otherwise, they were to be sent 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 a number
who had arrived, dashed into the stream
to take possession ofthem, the priso-
ners meanwhile standing in full sight
with rifles pointing at their heads. The
desired property was finally placed in
the outlaws possession, whereupon he
released his prisoners, and waving
good-bumored farewell, he disappeared
in the deep shadows of the surrounding
wilderness.
Treachery, however, at last effected
what courage and enterprise conld not
A citizen ofgreat respect
ability, passing with his two sons
through the forest, was plundered by