The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-08-19
Was ''Belle Boyd's' Maid.

AZ lnG WCSGcTu DdSc VI q Hill IL
Berkeley county, W. Va, about :
mile and half back from the river
and directly opposite Williamsport, in
q comfortable farm house, surrounded
by family Of grown children, lives
"Aunt" Mary STRIPPING, an old color
ed woman, who cherishes the memory
of once having been the maid, and il
a manner, the companion in her early
life of Belle Boyd, the famous female
spy of the Confederacy.
Aunt Mary is relic of slavery
days. She was born in Clark county
Virginia, on the plantation Of Johr
Early, father of General Jubal Early
the leader. Her childhood was spent
at the old Virginia home, but when
her young mistress, Miss Susan Early
became the bride of James Glenn
whose plantation bordered many miles
Of the Potomac, about Sandy Ridge
near Shepardstown, she went along tt
continue in the service of her "mis
sus." 1t was then she first met and
became associated with the woman
whose daring wild escapes were rarely
equaled 5y, and often astonished, the
men in gray with whom she mingled
in the days of blood ard strife.
Maria Belle Boyd was born in Mar
tinsburg. She was the daughter Of
Benjamin Boyd, a reputable and veal
thy resident Of that place. Theil
home was bright, inviting, and there
Belle and her sister, who lives in
Charles Town, and brother, were
carefully reared. Her afterlife, how.
ever, threw a black shadow athwart
the threshold of that home and the
training she received there.
James Glenn, the owner and master
of "Aunt" Mary, was the uncle Of
Belle Boyd, who often visited and
spent much of her time on his planta
tion before the war. She was describ
ed to a press representative by the old
colored woman as having been state
ly and prcpossessing young lady with
black hair and eyes, and having many
admirers among the male sex. Hel
associates were classed among the best
families. She always dressed in style
and was a lover of outdoor sport, in
which her high spirited nature was
wont to rcvel. She sat upon horse
like an equestrinne and would ride
like the wind over the country in q
fox hunt with an escort, but frequent.
ly alone. In this respect her manner
often bordcred on recklessness. Al
times she would appear disguised in
male dress and ride horseback with
parties Of her friends. These ele,
ments in her nature at times, how.
ever, were the only indications which
though unforeseen, pointed unerringly
into the future to life of stirring 70.
nance and wild and reckless daring.
James Glenn had two daughters
Florence and Lille, who were her con
slant companions during her visits tc
their home.
When the war broke out Belle
Boyd's nature was reused and her sym
pathies went out freely to the South
ern cause. She never intimated tc
anyone her determination, but after
the first year of carnage passed she
quietly left home and joined Genera.
Ashby's command. Her career ther
began. She gradually overcame hel
womanly timidity and the spirit Of
fearlessness arose in it's stead. AS q
spy she won fame and figured in some
of the most daring adventures on re-
cord. Her service to the Confederate
army was invaluable. The fame Of
the woman spread over the country
and won at once admiration and con,
tempt. Her life has been published
in full and is we'll known. She was
captured by Union soldiers and sent
to Fortress Monroe. Then she was
sent to the old capital prison in Wash
ington, and there married a northern
soldier. There her father found hel
and died of broken heart. Her life
was checkered, full of romance and
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. (W Ta.) Cor,
PHILADELPHIA Times.