Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-01-25
EARLY DAYS IN TEXAS.
Regulators and MOderatOrs who
Wsged a Feudal War.


Cor. New Orleans Picayune.
The years Al, ~ and '43 were notsC
for the domination of factions in GER
tain parts of Texas. Jefferson anC
Shelby were the counties in which
disorder reigned supreme. In Shelby
society had resolved itself into two
factions, the regulators and
the moderators, and such was
the general infection of lawless.
ness that it vas not safe to assume a
neutral position. Such an attempt
was pretty sure to render one inimical
to both parties aud double his chances
of shutting off this mortal coil at the
end of rope or the muzzle of gun.
In the last named county Potter and
Rose were neighbors and leading
spirits in the opposite factions, the
former regulator; the latter mod
orator.
One morning at break of day Rose
had walked QUO to where his negroes
were clearing land. 1t happened to
be on the road from his house to Pot
ters. The keen eyes of darky dis
cerned in the misty distance on
the road toward .Potter's a
squad of men approaching. He
lost no time in giving notice of the
fact to his master, who at once sus-
pected they were in quest of himself.
He threw himself fiat on the ground
and ordered the men to cover him
with brush. This was hastily done
and not moment too soon, for just as
Roses body was well hidden by q
respectable brush heap, up rode Pot.
ter and dozen men, armed to the
teeth. They inquired of the negroes
for their master. 1t may we'll be fancied
that the heart Of the man under the
brush quaked when he found himself
at the mercy of his slaves. He knew
that a nod Of the head, or a point of a
finger by one of them, would inevitably
seal his doom suddenly and forever.
But the men we're true to their trust
and informed Potter that their master
was still in bed at the house. The
posse hurried on, fully expecting to
secure their prey. They made thor
ough search Of the house and prem
Uses 1t was, of course, fruitess; the
bird had flown and was safely en-
sconced in the dense thickets Of the
neighb0lhood. Before leaving the
brush heap, however, Rose directed a
trusty negro to mount his best horse
as soon as the regulators left, and give
certain friends he named, notice of the
state of affairs.
At shutdown that evening fifty men
were at Roses house, armed and
thirsting for Potter's blood Near
sunrise next morning Potters friends
seven braves, whom he kept about
his person, as sort of body guard
rose from their beds in Polters house,
looked out, and seeing the coast clear,
proceeded, unarmed and unsuspicious,
to the stables to look after their
horses. There they were suddenly
confronted by a score of presented
guns. They were prisoners in the
hands of Rose.
They were thrust in a log stable
and informed that the least attempt al
escape or a signal to Potter would be
death.
Silence prevailed. They were natur.
ally expecting Potter, their main OBJ
ject, to show himself. He did not
His wife called to the men to come to
breakfast. There was no response.
Rose, feeling that he was master Of
the situation, now informed Potter
that his men were prisoners, aud
ordered him to surrender, or he would
burn his house down over his head
There was no reply.
Shakespeare says: "By divine in.
stinct mems minds forbode ensuing
danger" Potter had been wakeful
and uneasy in mind throughout the
night. He had only gone to sleep al
daylight and was walked by his wife tC
be told of the strange disappearance o.
the men. He instantly suspected the
fact of their capture and told his wife
his fate was sealed.
A hasty consultation was held as tt
the best course to adopt under thu
circumstances. Mrs. p, brave to thu
last, insisted on fighting it out. They
had, besides plenty of small arms, I
swivel or small cannonade, loaded Il
the muzzle with powder and rifle balls
She proposed that Potter should fir,
on the besiegers through the crack
in the wall, and if they made an at
tempt to storm the house by batterinI
down the door, she would fire tn
swivel into them, and in the confusion
he might have a chance to escape
Potter would not agree to this. Bot
courage and judgment seemed to de
sert him. He determined on attempt
ing to escape. His house stood on tn
bank of lake, and within thirt
yards of the brink. For convenience
an inclined path had been cut froI
the back door TO the waters edge.
His plan was to run down the path
way, dive into the lake, and, as he wa
an expert swimmer and diver, h
thought he could dive out Of gunsho