The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-06-21

49, ~'NJ - 0AAO 40 $3.50 0AO AAoAAVNo
her horse, rode to the village of the chief, and
boldly taxed him with the theft, which he vehe-
mently denied. She told him that he might ex-
plain his innocence to Colonel Sewer, but the
willy old savage wisely chose to return the negroes
that very afternoon, and with them sent many
apologies and promises of punishment for "the
thoughtless young men who had borrowed them
to carry the game on a hunting trip"
Yet Indian and Tory alike knew this stern, i'm
perious woman was in the hour of anothers dis
tress, all gentleness and kindness, ministering to
friend and foe.
When peace was restored, she entered what was.
perhaps, the happiest period of her life, but John
Sewer was too great a man to be allowed to dwell
in a sylvan paradise, and his wife loved him toe
well to allow her own wishes to cause him to neg
lect the interest of the people. "The Free State
of Franklin is ~remembered only with a smile, but
in 1884 it was quite a serious matter. With a
population of about 10000, and not claimed by
North Carolina or the General Government, it
was practically without law save that of outlaw
ny. Well, Colonel Sewer was chosen as Governor
of this Gree State of Franklin" No father ever
felt more tenderly for his children than did this
big-souled man for his fellows, and since danger
must come, he cast his lot with them, and this act
was heartily seconded by his brave wife. His
| SdldFy was only P1,UUO d year, duU pdydDl0 IL
"coon skin and flax thread money" which the
Legislature decreed to be the currency of the
realm. Still their own farm supplied them and
all that came, and from report we think very
nearly all came-but never too many. The in
genious wife fed all, and when the house was fuhnh,,
would improvise beds in the, outhouses until each
one was accommodated.
It is probable that Catherine Sewer was nearer
the Governor of one portion of North Carolina
than any other woman who has yet lived, and the
affairs of the little State went smoothly. But to
North Carolina it was high treason, and conse-
quently for Colonel Sewer, the arch traitor, a war
rant was issued, but an army would have been
required to execute it, so they hit upon a more
expedient plan of ~spiriting him away near the
end of his term of office. The Franks rose as one
man and went to Greenville, the then capital.
Mrs. Sewer was there with her plan for her hus-
bands liberation. DR.. Jim Crosby, his most
trusted friend, chose six men, sent the rest home
and they left Immediately for Morganton,' the
place of his incarceration. A week later Colonel
Sewer was telling his wife in their Plum Grove
home how well her plan had succeeded.
Failing to punish him, they next tried to de-
stroy his property. Upton was sent to take pos
session. Twice he stole the records and twice
did young Sewer, the Governors son, retake
them. This game of hide and seek lasted some
weeks, when he succeeded in entering the house
while Mrs. Sewer was away and stole almost
every movable thing on the premises. The old
Governor was chasing Indians on the French
Broad and would not return, but Catherine Sc
vier was clever enough to regain their slaves.
horses, and household furniture How she ac-
complished this feat will ever remain a mystery
as the particulars have long passed into the silent
shadows.
Events followed close upon one another-Ten-
nessee coded to the general government; the
| peaceful dissolution of that stormy period; the
charge of treason withdrawn; Colonel Sewer ap-
pointed a General; and Catherine Sewers last
| farewell to her old home. the scene of her strug-