The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1900-08-23

of the famous three into WHICH '"e
old county of Fincastle, which repre-
sented all the Western frontier, was
divided in 1776, thus being itself ex-
tinguished. :, :.
We now come to a memorable IN
cideat in tie early history OF tins
mart of Virginia. This was the con-
spiracy of Arthur Campbell and SIX
teen others representing various DIS,
tricts to establish new state west OF
the Allegheny mountains, and the
petitioning of Congress to that effect
in January, 1888.
Col. Campbell was at this time
probably forty-three years OF age OF
a commanding personal appearance
tall and straight as an Indian ch'ei'
with the same dignity and tacIturnlty
in his manner. "He was man OF
extensive reading and fine conver'a-
tional talents" says one biographer'
"but with the mass Of society he was
unpopular, altho' respected, owing
mainly to his not relaxing IN his
mamie, to snit it," Ills great fault,
saws the same writer, was hasty and
oyerbearing temper which occasioned
violent quarrel, and made HIM many
bitter enemies.
stronr case was made ont
against Campbell in the matter OF
the new state. Dispositions were
taken time after time during the next
two years in support of tie various
charges OF ma conduct brought
against him, but finally, IN the
records of one court we find that on
February IA, 1877, it was ordered.
That it be earnestly recommended
to his Excellency, the Governor and
to the Honorable, the Council of
State, that Arthur Campbell be and
remain Justice of the Peace in the
County of Washington"
! After his acquital, Campbell con-
timed 10 coSimaad The regiment
guarding the frontier (the 7Oth), and
held his Office Of County-Lieutenant
or Colonel.Commandent for nearly
thirty years.
In number Of reports along in
l7S5 the State of FRANKLIN, Franklin
or Frankland is often mentioned.
The following explanation of affairs
was sent to Gov. Henry by Col
Joseph Martin:
"The people over the mountains III
North Carolina have declared themselves
INDEPENDENT Of that state: have chose
Governor and Council Of their own; also
/ have elected delegates, and are now scum
| in General Assembly. Ting eau me"
state Fraaliut.
Martin was Lientenant-Colonel II
the Second Battalion of Washington
County militia and a younger mar
: than Campbell under whom he served
1t is not necessary to 80 INTO tn
history and troubles Of the little stat
of Farmland. Suffice it to say tina
alter various yicissitudes and wrang
ling among mselyes, It's aaherent
finally went back to then aIle9ianc
to the mother state, then North Car
; olips but afterwards Tennessee.
4 Tie aearncss Of its boundaries /
|; those Of our own frontier, and th
disaiiectiou caused among our ow
4 people by its sympathiserS, is tn
only connection which its short-ige
1 history has with our own.
! Havwood's Civil and PoHtici
| History of Tennessee gives a III
and accurate account OF the hit
I commonwealth, the fact Of who's
Z former. actual existence is probabl
I unknown to many of our readers, an
1 to students Of history generally.
i Going back to the history OF II
J Southwestern frontier. we find that
I January, 1855, certain Major |
N Brun lost his life in Clinch river.
4 One report says he was browne
i another, that he was murdered i
| his money by two men, VIM. Bak
| and Peter Taffe, who had lodged vii
} him one night. On the strength
| the latter suspicion the two mi
i were arrested, after some difficult
j and confined in Jail.
I In support of the theory that t
! unfortunate Frenchman was drown
I accidently, was the fact that about
I week after the supposed murder b
| saddIebags were found by one Du
| can about two miles below the foi
] where the Major was lost, lodged
\ some driftwood at the point of
island.
II The saddlebags contained the de
< mans clothes, nearly $500 in go
4 some bonds and several Bills Of /
Z change.
Il This was accepted by many
ri proof Of Bakers and Taiie's inn
4 cence. though others claimed Il
I the saddIebags were lost in the Dies
u struggle with his two sssassins
III the river. or that they had been pl
Il ed there by third person after
-
n condemnation Of Taife