The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-30
EARLY WESTERN SKETCHES.
John and Patsy-An Old-Time Elopement
in the Burnt District"


times acquaintance were readily made through
out the entire settlement. 1t was not long be-
fore John was favorite at the corn-huskings.
apple-cutting, cuttings and woolplckings, and
what would naturally follow, he was soon des-
perately in love, the object of his devotion being
the daughter of one of his neighbors, Mr.. Lamb,
whose residence was on Green's fork, between
where the towns of Washington and Williams
burg, Wayne county, now located. But
''the course of true love never did run smooth
ly" and in this CASE although John was favored
with Patsy's love and esteemed by the best men
In the community, he met with stern and pos
tive refusal on the part of the parents
He was called away to his old home in Ken
lucky, a journey which in those days required
considerable time. AS star routes" like rail
roads, were then unknown in this State, he
could have no word from Patsy during his alb
sonce,
with many and locked embrace
Their parting was flu tender"
John was detained at his old homo in Ken
lucky much beyond the tir,e appointed for his
return, and when he arrived again at the home
in the forests of Wayne county, he learned that
Patsy had promised to become the wife of an
other, and that the day appointed for the mar
riage was week from that time, the license
having been already procured. If 'love laughs
at locks and keys" what would it do in country
where locks and keys were all unknown2
john was determined to see once more the OBJ
jeet Of his affection, regardless of fathers frown
or mothers anger Accordingly, on Sunday
evening he went to the home of her whom he
feared had proved forever faithess. There he
met the happy man who had, as he supposed
supplanted him in the affections of the young
Hoosier lass. There was but one room in the
house. and John had opportunity to speak
with Patsy. Unwilling to abandon so good a
cause, however, without one moro desperate
effort TO effect his purpose, he remained over
night.
While the family slept, he lay with one eye
open. In the stiffness Of the night Patsy
slipped quietly to his bedside, and whispered to
him the story of her thra!ldom. She was to be
an unwilling bride in four days from that time.
Johns courage did not fail him, but he said
inject me at Billy WIS tomorrow" She
promised but alas when the girl came her
father accompanied her, and refused to allow
her to see John The situation was be-
coming desperate: but John proved equal to the
emergency, and arranged with a mutual friend
to notify Patsy that he would be at Il place
agreed upon near her fathers house on Tuesday
before the day arranged for her marriage to his
rival He had brought with him from Ken
lucky splendid horse, full of spirit, and of
great power ofendurance.
At the appointed time John appeared at the
place designated, mounted upon his good horse,
Ball Patsy, saw him, and picked up bucket
and started to the spring, as all supposed for a
bucket of water. She had not gone half way to
the spring however, until in her haste and
excitement she dropped the bucket and started
to run. 1t was midwinter and heavy snow
covered the ground She lost her bonnet before
she reached the fence where Ball stood ready to
receive his precious load. But, all unconscious
of her loss, with her hair streaming in the win
ter wind like flag at half mast, she continued
the fight,
Her mother discovered tho fugitive at this
time, and started in hot pursuit John always
declared that Patsy never, before nor since,
mounted Ball so nimby as on that OCCASION and
that Ball never walked up to the fence so
readily. The nearest settlement to which they
could fly was seven miles distant, and through
an almost unbroken wilderness.
When Patsy was fairly mounted behind John
the race began in earnest, Ball appearing to
take In the situation at glance. He laid back
his hneiyformed ears and turned his splendid
eyes upon them, as much as to say:
Hold on to me and I will carry you
safely through the perils of the journey.
And they did hold on to him, and most
nobly did he do his duty. Over hills and through
ha ia NfC ofri1.
drinking in the breath of their own swiftness.
With every jump he appeared to laugh defiance
at his pursuers who soon abandoned the chase
Before nightfall they stopped and borrowed such
articles of clothing as were necessary for the
journey, They then pursued their way through
the forest for several miles, stopping over night
with the father of the late Jehu r. Elliott,
Judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana and at
an early hour the next morning they again
mounted old Ball and resumed their way to
Salisbury, then the county seat of Wayne
county, but now well cultivated cornfeld,
there not being one stone left upon
another where once fourished that town
By 9 o'clock the next morning they
had procured the necessary license,
and we're married by local preacher then living
In the place In the course of week they re-
turned to the vicinity of the home of the young
wife's parents where they hailed with
greater delight than hero of hundred battles
would now be greeted with.
John and Patsy lived in that community for
more than sixty years, bringing up a large family
of honest and intelligent sons and daughters, all
of whom are married. Their children, grand
children and great grandchildren are scattered
over many counties of Indiana, and are known
as among the good people of the State.
K. B. II.
CAMBRIDGE CITY, Ind, May l. 1884
Travels in Europe.