The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1903-08-01
AN EPISODE OF TIE
RELIEF OF KNOXVILLE
lOrlginaLl

I fTttu east ltllltTNf't' llplli UNIV a. ~
rule woman living on a farm be-
tween Knoxville and the Cumberland
mountains went TO her door with a
broom In her hand and, looking up the
road. saw two men coming on a quiCk
run. As soon ms they reached a point
opposite the house they turn d in and
the woman recognized in one Of them
her son, Walter Grain, eighteen years
Old.
"Mothcr," cried the boy, I'VE must
hide. The fighting parsons band are
after MS. They want me for shooting
one Of their men last night. They
shoot me sure
Mrs. Grain hurried the boys into the
house and thrust them into n closet
She had scarcely done 50 before a man
with long beard came riding down tie
road, followed by a dozen others None
of them wore uniform, aud most Of
them were dressed In the "buttcrnut''
clothes common among the poor whites
| OF the country. They had organized
ostensibly 10 assist the Confederate
cnusc, but really for terrorizing Union
lists, among whom tie Grain family
were conspicuous. A rabid fire eating
clergyman named Saylcs, called the
fighting parson," was captain Of the
band. when they reached the house
they called:
us this Grains placer
"Yes." replied Mrs Grain.
| Saylcs dsmountcd and with several
of his men proceeded, without asking
| any questions, to search the house. He
argued that the boy would naturally 20
to his home for Il hiding place and re-
solved to spare no pains to find him
| II was not long before the two boys
were dragged from the closet and TAX
on ont into the yard in front of the
| house.
(Which Is Walter CraneT" asked the
captain.
Neither replied. They had been
| sChoolmates and bosom friends. Late
| ~ they had been out cunning for seccS-
slonists. Grain had shot one of their
| men and ilcd, the two boys separating
| During the pursuit a country woman
whom the fugitive passed told the ont
| laws that he was Walter Grain. The
| two boys came together at point Of
rendezvous aud made for the Grain
| plantation.
SayIes was one OF those extreme ma
| lures who are half devil aud half saint
| He was inpatient to learn which Of
the boys had Killed one of his band
L., Ina, shot nt
aud be Off, for he had got wind of the
advance of General BurnSidc's army
across the mountains and knew that
| should he fall into the hands of the
Yankees there were plainly of Gnlouists
about to inform upon his misdeCds and
see that he was punished.
Are you Mrs. Crainf" he asked Of
the woman.
Eyes, aud you're John Sayles. |
knew you In Kentucky when you were
boy, and worse hoy | never knew.
They said when you got religion and
went to preachin you had turned an.
gel, but | didn't believe it,"
Something I'm this speech excited the
evil in the lighting parsons nature.
(which of these boys is your SOM
he asked.
"Ncithcr"
| This was false. but what mother
would havcauswcredd iflyr utly? Say les
| turned away with an angry cxclama.
| ton and taking two guns from his
men placed one In the hands of each Of
| the boys. Then he ordered his men to
! place Mrs. Grain against the side OF
| her house with her face to the wall
Walter Grain OWNED that the out
! law was preparing 10 make a test as
! to which Of the boys was the son by
| ordering them TO tire ON the mother
! He whispered something to his friend
! who nodded assent Both boys were
! pale rs a night mist
"Now, raise your guns" said Saylrs,
"and when order you to fire shoot
this woman. The one who fails dies"
AZ the moment the notes OF huglr
rang out clear and near. and horses
hoofs were heard beating the road
Every eye was turned 10 Src. and
horsemcn were discovered coming at
Cnnter. AZ the samr moment cheer
was heard In the opposite direction
ana concoursc Of citizens who had
heard " the approach of the linton
army were seen coming ny the road
waving inuumcrahlc stars and stripes
suddenly the boys turned together
and Walter Grains voice was heard
above the shouts
Fire"