The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-31

vt seems almost incredible that one OF
the most thrilling adventures of
the War of tho American Revolution
mas up to the present time remained
almost unknown cNcep, IN the immcdi-
ate locality whcre The hero OF the nd
venture. gallant Jack JouAtt lived anu
died
But for his daring and dcscrmtra-
ton, II is certain That Major Tarlcton,
of the British army aud his frec-boot-
ers would have captured the members
OF the General Assembly OF Virgins
and Governor Thomas jefferson in June
OF lTSi when Tarleton, eager to tako
them prisoners, made forced Inarcn
from tho Headquarters of CORVALLIS. on
chs lower James, to CharlottesVille,
where the Legislature had adjourned
in May. when CORVALLIS first invaded
Virginia,
To understand the vital Importance
Of tho service rendered by lack Iouctt
10 his STATE and country, Il brief refer
enco TO military operations within The
limits OF the Old Dominion 1T the time
OF its occurrence seems necessary. OPP
POSED in the interior OF Tire state TO
the regulars of Cornwaliiss army was
Tho Maruuis dc Lafayette with force
OF several thousand men. three tourths
OF whom were mllitiH, ana lilly calculat-
ed to cope with British soldiers OF
thorough eNpericnc. and training. Gen
eral Wayne, dispatched by Washington
to virginia from the Northern army
Win 900 men. had not yet arrived
on the scene of action. At Point
Of Fork. formed by the junction
Of the Rivnnna and fluvanna XIV
ers Lieutenant, Colonel Simcoc, who
had successfully executed the purpose
for which he had been sent, that OF
driving back Baron Steuben's detach-
ment OF Nirgiuians and destroying
stores at that point. had been Joined
By CORVALLIS, and both were busy Il,
the work OF pillaging and devastation,
which seemed TO ibc prime objects
throughout the whole campaign of Nir-
Stnia invasion. begun by Arnold III
January Of 1851.
Tarfston moved upon Charlottesville
with $50 cavalry. and seventy mounted
infantry. He was ordered to surprise
the General Assembly. seize Goveanor
Jefferson at Monticello. do any other
mischief possible, end then unite his
force with that OF CORVALLIS and Gin
coe at Point of Fork, In Fluvanna
county.
Everything promised the success for
which the soul Of ambitious Tarlston
Searned. But he had not included Jack
uouett and Jack Jouctt's fleet horse in
his calculations. THIS worthy patriot,
then living In Charlottesville, had rid,
den down into Louisa county TO look
Hllcr me promise Oh crops on his farm,
worked under an ovcrseer and situated
some miles from tho county seat.
Jack was practical. II is not to be
supposed as he passed through his
fields and noted with satisfaction evil
dcnces OF abundant promise that he
said TO himself What is so rare s
a day In June?" Not he, for though
nature wore smiling face there was
q feeling Of uneasness and unrest. even
in community hitherto free. through
actual experience. from the rude
alarms of war.
Jouett was an carly riser like most
Virginia mon of his class and occu-
patton. His conference with his over
seer was finished before the hour OF
noon. Then his thoughts reverted to
friend he desired 10 visit In this
neishhorhood whore Jouetts torbcars
had been pioneer planters carly In the
eighteenth century. decade of years
previous he himself had sold notable
piece OF property, waysidc tavern
fronting on tho public thoroughfare
ana known as Kings Ordinary TO an
'nn keeper called Sackville King. The
tavern property WIS but n short way
from Jouetts farm. Its shaded porch
and appetizins table called an invita-
zion which sounded pleasantly enough
10 induce Jack to turn his horses
head toward the ordinary when bust
ness had been finished satisfactorily
The old tavern OF that day was
wooden building. plain. but comfortable
and spacious. It was pulled down in
1915 by Henry Pendleton. into whose
hands II passed. lie built brick man
sion on tho site of Kings Ordinary
Because within Its walls was tho first
cuckoo clock in It's special community.
the name of the place had been previ-
ouhly changed TO Cuckoo. Its carly
memories are stil associated with
Jack Jouett; however. who must hayG
heen az Individual OF a most magne7
tic personality: for the key to the barn
of his anciont nearby plantation ID
stl preserved az a relic by the Nc
Donald family, who succeeded Mr.. Jou-
EFT in ownership. Cuckoo is now tho