Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-10
tiayernOUse.
lBy +. B,, Chicago.

One Of the favoritc and beautiful subur-
ban retreats around Dundee /, the Den Of
the Mains. where bOtanists loved TO linger
and aesidc winch cluster the runs OF Cla.
VcThouSe, mansion that wa, erected in
The middle OF the sixteenth century.
When a EOv, the Urge bctch-trce near the
castle tower found me admiring its great
grih. and with Outstretched arms cndel-
Voring in certain number of spans TO
measure It's II feet. That tree lived it, life
aud is a wonder no longer. The castles
cTumblng walls were refuge for owls and
The bats that fly by night, aud they looked a.
though there was a purpose in allowing 80
ariStocratic place 10 decay and disappear
through age and storm.
The Bluidy ClaVtr.e" WAS a name in
the locality rs eXecrated u the name Of
Nonteilh was dishOnored throughout SCOT
fish soil.
At the end OF 1873, while spending a
few weeks in Dundee, my attention was
drawn to a small volume, by Miss Clemen-
tina Stirling Graham, the laStOi the Claver-
houses. entitled INVESTIGATIONS" and
getting an introduction TO a photographer
who was favored with the patronage
Of the old lady, he CONSIDERABLY gave
me the hest and only likeness OF her he had
on hand, which was inserted in the front OF
the book, and, as a S0aUeRir, Is now In En-
glewoOd, near Chicago. This lady passed
away year or two after that date. The
race is thus run out, and the poet who sung
OF "Claverse" requesting the gates TO be
opened that he might go free, exercised bis
imagination too highly to be appreciate.
II Claverse had beer within Dundee's shut
gates, and provoked quarrel he never
would have appeared at KilIiecrankie.
The record OF the poets story connects
Edinburgh with the transaction when Ga
verse was outyO.ed st the meeting OF the
Lords In convention. lie was afraid Of his
safety and took refuge In hight, leaving the
city by the west part. The Lords them
selves were In quandary what 10 make OF
BIN, and on learning OF his speedy de.
parture they were glad that they had got
rid OF the "Deil o. Dundee"
AT the time referred TO In the paragraph
IN the ScOstiSh-Amtrican lately royalty was
hard up and In need OF money, and
Claverse, to increase his power and in
nuence, paid 10 James VII. G., 900 for the
privilege OF beng constable OF the town,
with a residence at Dudbope Castle. now
used as a military barracks. There hap.
pened to be provost OF Dundee, who
questioned his authority In acting as a
Judge, which the man OF the sword would
not brook; and TO chastise the coyenanting
bughers he gave an order for his forces 10
assemble in the Glen OF Ogilyy, north side
OF the sidaws, near CLAIMS, and from
then march upon Dundee, aud there
hurrah for loot and beauty. But the L,dy
OF Teaiing observed his men descending
the south side Of the hills, and OWNED
their object, and, although they were not
far OF, she got man.servant TO walk into
town and warn the authorities OF what
they might expect from a visit OF
Clayerse and his followers. With little
stratagem be succeeded, aud thus was
Clayerse baked OF his scheme. In re-
veDge he set fire to the houses OF unoffend. |
ing inhabitants outside OF the walls, which |
made bonfire that would put to shame |
those OF Chicago on election night.
There was nothing gallant IN rapine, aud
L Clayerse got killed with n silver six
pence by Ringan Gllbazle, the would-be
iuiteap Of bis time. II might be said that