Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-05-19
a GREAT FRIGHT.
The Famous scare of the Patriots in Rev
dictionary Times.

pulmonary Times.
Every SchoOlbov knows of what event
of the revolution the 10Th of April is
the anniversary. The anniversary of an
incident less imDC rtant and less credita-
bic to the courage of the patriots. but
certainly of interest. occurs two days
later. 1t Is called in local histories ''Ie
create friGhte." and has given rise to
many curious tales and traditions.
though in none of them is its origin eX-
planned.
This famous fright began. nobody
knows how. at Ipswich. Mass. and ex-
tended rapidly northward through Row
ley. Newbury. Salisbury. Hampton and
other towns. Some one in Ipswich raised
Il cry that the British were upon the
town-the regulars were coming-they
were ncar-they were killing and cut
ting down ali before thcrn-there was
no hope bat in flight.
Fly. fly. the cry was passed from
lip to lip. Fly for your lives. Fly
Seized with unreasoninr panic. the
citizens fed in all directions. and 4
messenger riding pOst-haste to New
bury burst into a church where the
minister was about to begin services
and shouted the alarm. then rode on to
carry it to the next town. which in turn
sent word to the town beyond.
Terror reigned all that afternoon. and
through the night and into the next
day. when at length. no regulars hav-
ing come and no one having been slain.
other messengers We're sent forth bear
ing news that the danger was over. or
ia her that it had never existed: bat in
the meantime things had beer done
along the line of panic which gave the
good people of that region reason for
both pride and shame. and for more of
laughter than of either.
Housewives hid their silver in holes
in trees. thrust it up chimney. tumbled
it hastily into the rag-bag. Or dropped
it down the we'll Whole families spent
the night in the field, or crouching in
bitches by the roadside. while the 9TH
ers loaded up their covered wagons. or
even the oX-team. with themselves and
their treasures. and made such haste as
they could toward more distant villages
or secluded farms.
Acts of courage were not lacking. A
little girl of nine years remained all
night in lonely farm house caring for
an asthma tic old aunt who could not be
moved. although neighbors. flashing
their horses. cried to her as they passed
the door that she would be killed if she
stayed. and more than one offered her
place in his wagon if she choose to es-
cape
But she stuck 70 her post and when
Ter ncighbors struggled shamefacedly
back to their homes late the next day.
they found the steadfast little maiden
still tending the invalid. while the neat
kitchen and orderly chambers showed
that She had not forgotten the duties of
n housekecper even in the fear OF piliage
and massacre.
Very different was the conduct of n
youth who. first taking the precaution
to seize upon basket Of provisions, fled
to distant pasture and climbed into Il
tree.
knowing nothing of what was pass
ing in he village, and not daring to de-
scend and investigate. he remained on
his perch until nightfall of the second
day. when he was discovered by 4
search-party organized by his anxious
relatives to see what had become of
him. They restored him to his home.
and for some weeks afterward he found
the story of his adventure much more
popular than gratifying to him.
Eo,tb's Comy,arion