Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-27
a PREDEcESyoR OF JESSE JAMES.
The Pursuit. and Murder 0r MASON, che
Famons Desperate of Long Ago.


frum Harpcrss Magazine. December. 1855.
One of the most noted despeTadoes OF early
times was a man named Mason He hrst es-
tabIisi,ed himself ut the Cave in Rock"-a re-
markable limestone formation about 100 miles
above the mouth OF the Ohio-where. under the
guise Of keeping a store for the accommodation
ofSSoatmen and emigrants, he enticed taem into
his power After numbering these victims OF
treaehery, he would, by the hands Of his con-
federaies 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 Mis-
eiSsippi and Tennessee by the fatboatnen aud
traders while returning by land from New Or
leans to their homes In the west Mason in
creased in power aud, with his organized band,
became so celebrated for his robberies and muir
ders that he was dreaded from the,banks Of the
Mississippi to the high lands of Tennessee.
Over aIi3this vast extent Of country II the buzz
yards were seen high i'm air. circling over any
particular spot, the remark was made, Another
mur1er has been committed by Mason and his
GAM"
Numerous attempts were made to arrest him.
but he always managed TO escape party of
gentlemen. mostly wealthy planters from the
vicinity of Natehez once organized themselves
into party and went I'm pursuit of tie bold
robber. Coming to the banks OF Pearl river
s'signs were manifest that his gang were i'm the
posed seizure, ii was determined to rest the
horses and partake OF refreshments. These
things having been accomplished. 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
bank, and found themselves in the hands of
Mason. The outlaw. aware that he was pur-
sued. determined to effect by stratagem what
he did not deem policy 10 effect by force II
was therefore that he rushed down and seized
Tf3a Ptv fha i'm
ehore saw the maneuyre aad instantly seized
their arms. Mason, who had a commanding
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 captves. 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 beng ne 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. bat
that upon any violence offered to his mes
senger. or any visible hesitation TO obey. he
should destroy his prisoners: if otherwise. they
were to be set at iiherty-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. cut Of a number who had arrived dashed
into the stream to take possession Of them, the
prisoners meanwhile standing i'm full sight with
rifles pointing at their heads. The desired
property was finally placed in the outlaws pos
session, whereupon he released his prisoners
and waving q good-hUm0red farewell he disap-
peared in the deep shadows of the surrounding
wilderness
freacheiy. however. at last effected what
courage and enterprise could not accomplish.
A citizen OF great responsibility. passing with
his two sons through the forest, was pundered
by the bandits. The public was aroused. Gov.
Claiborne of the Mississippi territory. offered a
large reward for the outlaw. dead or alive.
The proclamation was widely distributed; a
OF intense mefriment. Two of his band, how
ever. were determined to obtain the reward
and while they Were engaged with Mason in
counting some money one of them drove
fOmahawk into his braiu. His head was sew
cred from the body. and. placed in sack borne
In triumph to Washington, then the seat of the
TerritOri3l government
The head of the rObbcr was recognized BY
many eli the citizens who saw il. Large crowds
from the surrounding country assembled to as
sure themselves that their enemy was really
dead, and curious to the individuals whose
daring prowess had relieved the country of @
scouTre- Among the spectators We're the two
y0un2 men, who. unfortunately for the hero
traitors recognized them as the robbers of their
father and themselves The wretches We're
seized. tried for their crimes and hung And
thus ended the last and most noted gang of rob
bers-that Infested the ',NatcheZ and Nashville
trace