Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-08-12
A WAR TRAGEDY.

III tue NOUN tain regions Oh lellneSSec
more than ut any other point along the
border line between the hostile forces
the tragic clements of the civil war were
brought close to the people. Elsewhere
there were places made vacant by the
struggle, other regions suffered more
from cannon and the devastation of
marching armies, but up in the noun
tains civilized warfare gave place to the
strife of savages. and instead of Il war of
states there ragged battles between neigh
bors and relatives. A well known citi-
zen of this city recently talking over
those times related this story of the pas
sions engendered by guerrilla warfare,
which. except for the use of fictitious
names, he vouches for as being absolute
ly true:
When the war broke out, there lived in
one of the interior counties of the state
a well to do farmer named jackson. HIS
family consisted of his wife, several sons
and daughter 10 years old. He was an
intelligent. upright man, was held in
high esteem by his neighbors. His chill
dren received good education, and his
daughter. Nellie, was a loyable, gentle
girl and the belle of the neighborhood.
She was a strong country girl. of fear
less nature, and an expert shot with both
the rifle and revolver.
About this time there settled in the
country village nearby young physi-
clan from northern state. DR.. Gordon
was an alert, active young man of COM
handing presence. He soon won the re-
spect of those who became his patients
and was meeting with Il fatterins de
gree Of success in his profession. Among
those he attended was Mrs. jackson,
and he Of course became acquainted
with the daughter. The young people
soon manifested Il preference for each
others society, and in a short time
friendship ripened into love- The par
ents readily gave their consent to the
union, which was to take place as soon
as the young physicians practice became
lucrative enough to warrant him in mar
rying Thanks to his increasing success
in his calling, they felt that in few
short months they would start out il.
life together.
The muttcrings Of the great struggle
which had been going on for two years
or more at that time began to grow loud
err as the scene of conflict drew nearer
to this retired part Of the country. The
wilder and rougher element among the
people became members of a guerrilla
band which established reign of ter
ror throughout the surrounding coun-
try. The property of those who We're
suspected of sympathizing with the
Union was destroyed, their cattle and
horses stolen, their buildings burned to
the ground and the men warned to Join
the southern army at once on pain of
death.
DR.. Gordon was known as an outspo-
ken Union man, and he received notice
time and again that his life would be
forfeited if he did not enlist in the cause
of the south, but haven't on his way I'M
daunted. One day while calling upon a
patient who lived some distance beyond
Mr.. Jackson's he was arrested by a
squad of Confederate soldiers in com
mand of lieutenant, who at once start
ed for the camp with their prisoner.
They had to pass the jackson place on
their way and stopped for supper, which
was readily served for them. Mr.. Jack
son called the lieutenant in command to
one side and told him that the prisoner
was soon to become his son-in-law and
asked for his release, promising him that
the doctor would take no part in the
war, but would leave the country with.
in "A hours and would not return until
the conflict had ended.
After little hesitation the officer con-
scented, for he was near neighbor and
knew that Mr. jackson was TO be trusted,
and besides he himself was under deer
obligations to the the prisoner, who had
been his family physician for some time.
I DR.. Gordon was informed that he could
have 81 hours in which to leave the
state. For the sake of his promised
wife, who was present and added her
fearful entreaties to the requests of her
father, he consented to 90. The Confed-
crates departed when they had finished
/ their meal, and after an hour or two
spent in forming his plans for departure
the doctor babe his sweetheart farewell
and went to his boarding place. He al
once began his preparations for depar-
I ture.
He had Just given the last instructions
/ to his host and was about bidding the
family farewell when there came knock
at the door, and in walked three of the
most noted guerrillas of the band that in
! tested the neighborhood. They were
aware of the doctors arrest and parole
on condition of his leaving the place.
They appeared friendly and stated that
their errand was to get some medicine
I from the doctor for the child of one o!
| their number. As the unsuspecting
physician turned to get his medicine
case from the table three revolvers were
drawn, and their reports rang out stimuli
taneously.
Every shot took effect in the doctors
body, but no vital spot was touched.
He wheeled and ran from the room. fol.
lowed by another fusillade from the des-
peradoes. Running around the house
the wounded man made his way eau.
tiously in again at the back door, crept
up stairs to his room and crawled upo1
e & 81 80 z Isl z u Y