The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1900-03-03
By J. POLK RACINE.

Uncle John at the terrible battle of An
tietam 80 years ago, and be it known that
he was more than middle aged then, hut to
think that amid the whir of the bullet. the
whirlwiud OF the charge, the awful hurst
ing and screeching OF shells and the terri
BILE thunder Of cannon, whec comrades
were falling across each other wounded,
bleeding, dying, yet he came through
it all to at last die tragic death almost at
the very threshold Of his peaceful home
We recall one other thrilling adventure
which Uncle John had in the rushing
waters OF the Elk, but this tim d was in
the maddened waters OF the Big Elk.
About twenty years ago, Uncle John
came to Elkton from his home at Belle Hill,
the day belonged to sultry August, and
while he was doing his shopping, terrific
thunder storm swept across upper Cecil.
and while the inky black cloud was hover.
ing just above the Big Elk, Jehovah threw
open wide the flood gates, and such a tor
adjacent to the old stream were like.unto
rivers. Mr.. Simpson started for home about
dark, and before he reached the creek, the
black clouds were hanging so near above
that he had to stop and wait until another
vivid flash OF heavens electricity would
illuminate the highway, that he might see
his horse and keep him on the road. At
last he reached the Gilpin bridge, he said
that he heard the roaring OF the rushing
waters, but the awful crashing of heavens
artillery partly drowned the noise of the
mad stream, and the poor old man was
be"ildered by the awiulness of the
elements. On the west side Of the
stream the road is above high water mark,
and our old friend passed safely through
the bridge, but when he started down
the slope from the bridge on the east
side, oh horror of horrors, his horse
lost terra tirma, and was swept against the
meadow II nee, which soon gave way, and
horse and wagon went tearing across the
large meadow in the darkness. Uncle
john had been thrown or swept from his
open buggy, he always said that he didn't
know which, but he clutched panel of
the post fence just above where his horse
crashed through, and though he was ding
ing to the top rail, his body was partly
submerged.
He called hastily for help as any one
would do, and after long time his cries
we're heard at the Gilpin mansion Just
little way up. The mansion was occupied
by farmer John T. Lee. The family had
about finished their evening meal, Mrs.
Lee had gone out to attend her many
young turkies and chickens, but she soon
ran back to the dinng-room, and said some
one is calling for help yonder near the
bridge, and fear that he is in distress.
Mr.. Lee and his four brawny sons ran as
far down the highway as the rushing waters
would permit and listened, and soon Uncle
John called again, "Ho! Jno Lee won't you
help me out OF this place" A forked flash
OF lightning revealed Uncle John frantically
clinging to the swaying fence. Then Mr..
Lee said, ono Simpson, can't do anything
for you now, but call on the Lord, he can
help you, but no human being can" And
the poor old man took Mr. Lees advice
and was soon pleading with the king of
glory. And for the space of nearly two
hours, they listened to the roar of the mad
waters and the crashing OF fences, and at in
tervals when the lightning would illumine
the weird scene, they could see that panel
after panel on each side of the old man had
been swept off across the meadow, until
but two remained, the one that John was
clinging to and the one next to it. But
bark another plunge is heard at the bridge,
a brilliant flash of Lightning followed by
terrific crashings OF thunder; but the
illumination had revealed another awful
scene at the bridge, for a man and horse
were seen struggling in the water at that
point. The flashing of heavens sublime
electricity continued to Tighten the clouds
above and the terrible water scene below.
while the brawny Lees watched, catching
ghmpses at intervals Of an old white. haired
man clinging to the only panel of fence
which had been left, but he was still
feebly pleading with the sinners truest
friend. But from whence came the
mighty power that held that sinvle
panel Of fence throughout the raging
of the elements OF that lurid night, while
the old man chung and prayed to she won
derful Christ, who once before had hidden