The Portland daily press., 1894-07-07
A ROMANCE OF THE WAR.
A Woman Who Led Band of GuerrilIas
in Kentucky.

A huntsville, KY, correspon dent 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 a singular story. Through
out the civil war this Lakewood region
huntsville is forty miles from the near
est railroad--wa debatable ground. 1t
was harried alike by federals and con-
federates, and, worse than all, by the
guerillas, who claimed either flag, az
it suited their convenience, and robbed
the friends of both alike.
In the early days of the war party of
guerillas 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 antecedents
he told his companions nothing. He
was slender IN form and effeminate in
face and manner. But these circum-
stances were attri buted to his extreme
youth. His enterprise and bravery in
battle prevented his companions from
commenting upon his girlish appearance.
One day "smartn skirmish between
he guerillas and federal troops was
fought. Jack Mason was wounded in
the shoulder and fell from his horse.
His companions picked him up and car
ried 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 pounded youth into his house, aud
Mrs. Orth nursed him.
Mason had not been in the house of the
Orths long before they discovered that
their wounded guest was girl in dis
guise. The girls wound, though not
serious, 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
we'll she suddenly disappeared from the
home of the Orths leaving the baby. She
left also a 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 MAYHEM,
and is now the mother of two children
Mayhem owned some land in this coun-
try, which he sold. Later a question of
title came up and his wife was sum-
moned as witness. In the course of her
testimony size told the strange story
OF her abandonment by her mother, the
disguised soldier. Local newspapers
printed the facts, and they were'reported
in newspaper 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 EMrs. 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 Ten
nessee and had married young man
against the will of her parents After
ward she became jealous of her husband
and deserted him. Ashamed to return
home she had put on mems clothes and
joined the guerillas.
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 afterward able to locate the
place where the Orths resided. She and
her.husband were reunited, and they ad-
vertised extensively for the child. but
heard nothing. Mrs. Mason was over
loyed at finding her daughter, Mrs.
Mayhew