The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-08-17
IHR ARM GHAIR ROCK,
ALsgsud Of The Revolution

~ WHa WAN nAseh4l NN''SSNNNN -
still wilder scenery, the towering cliffs
being surmounted by gigantic pines and
clustering cedars, and away up on
Washington Heights stood the Jumell
House, from which George Washington
watched the operations Of the Contlnen.
tai troops and the movements OF the
British forces on the Westminster side,
Those were the times that tried mems
hearts and souls, Those were the times
when brave men showed their fealty TO
the country. Nearly directly opposite
One Hundred and seyenty-lourth street,
in the annexed district, on the West
chester side, still stands vast boulder,
resting on the rocky eminence COM
manding view Of the Harlem and the
surrounding country,
As you view 1t, you can see that 1t
bears the appearance OF huge arm
chair,
Many form has surmounted that OBJ.
stacle and rested thereon, but few that
have done SO remembered, or knew, the
legend thereto attached.
II was dark night in August, l776,
during the occupancy Of New York by
Washington's army,
Sombre clouds obscured the moon and
stars. Near where Central Avenue now
runs, q country road and COW path mean.
dered through the swamps, the path
leading up amid the pine covered cliffs
adjoining. 1t was nearly half past nine
O'Clock when tile sharp chatter OF
horses hoois was heard tearing down
the country road.
The rider OF the horse was applying
his spurs vigorously to the steaming
TANKS, as the gallant steed went flying
onward like the wind.
Chatter, Clatter, went tho hoois, while
scarcely half mile behind rode a squad
Of British cavalry, doing their utmost
to overtake the frantic horseman.
II was Just below where the houses oil
Mount Hope now cluster on tho tower.
ing hillside that the wild rider realized
that his gallant steed was giving way,
and could not long survive the active
pursuit.
He could hear by the conyulsive pant.
ing OF the horso's chest that he was near
ly winded.
His Clinging limbs could feel the quiv-
ering muscles, as the brave animal con-
tinued his rapid flight, and his own
heart leaped up into his mouth as he
heard the swift approach Of his pursu.
ers; but, vigorously applying whip and
spur upon reaching the COW path, he
turned the horse up tho steep activity.
On, on they sped, pursuers and pur-
sued.
For brief interval he realized that he
had eluded his vigilant followers; then
by the cracking and crashing Of the
branches behind him, he learned that
they had discovered his ruse, and were
coming rapidly onwOrd. But away he
went.
Momentarily his brave horse grew
weaker and weaker, Us II plunged brave
ly onward amid the darkness, until,
finally, steed and rider reached tho arm
chair shaped rock.
Swiftly, swiftly onward came the Brit
ish cavalry, until they, too reached the
rock, but as they did so they heard
moaning cry, fierce, frantic wall OF a
dying horse, and then they heard the
plunging sound Of the poor animal as,
missing It's footing on The slippery, shelv-
ing rocks, II rolled over the cliff To the
rocky roadway beneath.
AS he heard the ominous sound, the
leader Of the pursuing party uttered q
volley Of man oaths through his clenched
teeth.
"There goes the cursed rebel SPY to
his doonl" he aspirated, as he refined In
his painting steed, land perdition go with
himl I'd given my right arm to have
captured him"
hl,ut holdp continued he the next
instant. Possibly he may have leaped
from Z his horse, and Is hiding in the
vicinity, Look sharp, my lads2 Ten
guineas to the man who finds him II he is
still alivel"
The horsemen dismounted instantly,
and actively began searching among the
thicket and clustring cat briars that sur
rounded the rock. But the search prov
cd futile, and finally they were forced TO
abandon 1t, and, quitting the spot, they
temounted and rode disconsolately
away.
Ten minutes passed after their de.
parture, and then figure lifted itself
cautiously from the summit OF the rock
aud peered eagerly around amid the
gloom.
1t was the SPY, who, as his flying steed
darted swiftly past the rock with the
sounds Of his pursuers ringing in his
ears, had leaped from his saddle 10 the
boulder and cast himself fiat thereon, as
the poor animal made the deadly plunge
over the slippery proclpiCe TO be dashed
to pieces on the rocks beneath.
Realizing, by the retreating clatter OF
tho cavalry, that lie was safe for the
present, at least, the brave lad, for he
was scarcely more than boy, leaped
from the rock to the underbruBh. He
thought that he knew every inch oil the
adjacent ground, for he had been reared
In the neighborhoOd, aud many and
many a hunt had he therein INDUCED.
llBut as he started forward In the dark
ness, he missed his footing, and the next
instant was plunglng tnadly down the
steep CliH, wildly endeavofing 10 stay
his flight by grasping at the vines and
tendrlls that grew from the slippery
sides. n.
But all his efforts were In vain, as,
with a crash, he brought up at the bot
tom, stunned, bleeding and lnsenBible,
How long lie had lain there he had
no means Of knowing, but, when he re.
covered his senses and endeavofed 10
rise, no realized from the helpless con.
dition Of his right arm that II was
broken, and the movement caused him
intense pain. But with an effort he
staggered 10 bis feet, and found that he
was close 70 Harlem river.
He had intended 10 cross tho river at
McComb's Dam, where he knew a picket
post WAS atatloned, but he we'll realized
! that he was now Q mile above II, and, Ia
his ehieebled condition and exciucAllng
agony, feared that he would faint before
hB could reach II, s
But he must make the effort, and,
carefully grasping his wounded limb he
staggered down toward the river. 'is
Just 10 he reached u hO heard The
splash Of oars, and looking eagerly oul
Into the darkness saw q small skid, i'm,
PEELED by q single rover, close " The
! bank, fe. ,i,.,
With o faint ciy hShAiled the innate
The rover drew Ii shore.
"Who are your" was the reply In {
4 WOman's voice, NJ