The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-16
A ROMANCE OF THE WAR.
Brave Mrs. Jack Mason Led a Band
of Guerillas in Kentucky.
From the New York World.

huntsville, KY, June 1.-THE prepar-
ations for the trial of a land suit which is
to come up at the approaching term of
the circuit court in this town has re-
vealed singular story. Throughout the
civil war this backwoods region-Burks-
vile is forty miles from the nearest rail
road-was debatable ground. 1t was har-
ried alike by federals and confederates,
and, worse than all, by the guerillas, who
claimed either flag. as it suited their con-
venience, and robbed the friends of both
alike.
In the early days of the war party of
guerilas who were mainly of confederate
sympathies made their Headquarters in
Bennett township, in this county. From
that vicinity they made many raids
through the surrounding country, and
often attacked detachments of federal
troops.
One of the boldest and most dashing of
the guerillas was young fellow named
Jack Mason, who said he was from Ten
nessee. But of his family and anteced-
ents he told his companions nothing He
was slender in form and efeminate in
face and manner. But these circum-
stances were attributed to his extreme
youth. His enterprise and bravery in
battle prevented his companions from
commenting upon his girlish appearance
One day smart" skirmish between
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 of 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 discovered that
their wounded guest wasa girl in dis
guise. The girls wound though not Sc
rious, was painful and slow in healing
She was in bed several months, and in
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 considerable sum of money
and some jewels and a note directing that
they be used for the benefit of the baby
The Orths adopted the little girl, and
she grew TO womanhood, married pros
porous young farmer named Mayhew and
is now the mother of two children. May
hew owned some land in this county,
which he sold. Later question of title
came up and his wife was summoned as a
witness. In the course of her testimony
she told the strange story of her aban-
dOnment by her mother, the disguised
facts, and they were reprinted in a news
paper at Knoxville, Tenn.
Recently middle-aged but good look
ing woman arrived here. She said she
was Mrs John Mason. who lived near
Knoxville, Tenn, and that Mrs. Mayhem
was her daughter. 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 a young man against the will of
her parents Afterward she became
Jealous of her husband and deserted him.
Ashamed to return home, she had put on
mems clothes and joined the guerilias.
When she left the house of the Orths.
she said she intended to return and claim
her baby, but when she reached East
Tennessee she fell into fever and was
never afterwards able to locate the place
where the Orths resided. She and her
husband were reunited, and they ad-
yertised extensively for the child, bur
heard nothing
Mrs. Mason was oyerjoyed at finding
her daughter, Mrs. Mayhem.