The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1894-09-01
ROMANCE OF THE WAR.
Story Of a Woman Who Led Band of
Guerillas In Kentucky.

n Dui hSoNiis, NY. correspondent
of the Atlanta Constitution writes:
THE preparations for the trial of
land suit which is to come up at the
approaching term of the Circuit
Court in this town have revealed
singular story. Throughout the civ.
il war this backwoods region
Burkesyille is forty miles from the
nearest railroad-was debatable
ground. 1t was harried alike by
federals and confederates, and, worse
than all, by the guerillas, who claim
ed either flag, as it suited their con
venienee, and robbed the friends of
both alike.
In the early days Of the war par
ty of gnerillas, who were mainly of
confederate sympathy, made their
headquarters in Bennett township,
in this county. From that vicinity
they made many raids throughout
the surrounding country, and often
attacked attachments of federal
troops.
One of the holdest and most dash
ing of the guerillas was a young fell
low named Jack Mason, who said he
was from Tennessee. But of his
family and antecedents be told his
companions nothing He was slen-
der in form and effeminate in face and
manner. But these circumstances
were attributed to his extreme
youth. His enterprise and bravery
in battle prevented bis companions
from commenting upon his girlish
appearance.
One day "smart" skirmish be
tween the guerillas and federal
troops was fought. Jack Mason was
wounded in the shoulder and fell
from his horse. His companions
picked him up and carried him off
with them. But he was so severely
wounded that the rude surgery of
the camp was not sufficient A
friendly farmer named John Orth
took the wounded youth into his
house and Mrs. Orth nursed him.
Mason had not been in the house
of the Orths long before they dis
covered that their wounded guest
was girl in disguise. The girls
wound, though not serious, was pain
full aud slow in healing. She was in
bed several months. and at that
time baby girl was born
when the mother became strong
and well she suddenly disappeared |
from the home of the Orths, leaving
her baby. She left also a consider
able sum of money and some jewels
and note directing that they be
used for the benefit of the baby.
The Orths adopted the little girl,
and she grew to womanhood, mar
ried prosperous young farmer
named Mayhem, and is now the
mother of two children. Mayhem
owned some land in this county,
which he sold. Later question of |
title came up, and his wife was sum
moned as witness. In the course of
her testimony she told the strange
story of her Amendment by her moth
er, the disguised soldier. Local
newspapers printed the facts, and
they were reprinted in newspaper
at Knoxville, Tenn.
Recently middle aged but good
looking woman arrived here. She
said she was Mrs. John Mason, who
lived near Knoxville, Tenn, and |
that Mrs. Mayhem was her daugh-
ter. Then she told her story She
said she was the disguised soldier,
Jack Mason. She had run away
from her home in Tennessee and |
had married young man against
the will Of her parents. Afterward |
she became jealous of her husband
and deserted him. Ashamed to re-
turn home, she had put ON mems
clothes and Joined the guerillas.
When she left the house of the
Orths, she said, she intended to re
turn and claim her baby, but when
she reached East Tennessee she fell |
into fever and was never afterward |
able to locate the place where the
Orths resided. She and her hus-
band were united, and they adver-
tised extensively for the child, but
heard nothing
Mrs. Mason was overjoyed at fiud
ing her daughter Mrs. Mayhem,
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