The farmer and mechanic., 1913-01-14

claimed, Governor Eden died In an
old field a short distance from the !
mansion. is a deep depression filed |
with broken bricks, which was the
governors wine cellar. Nearly on a !
line with this at the waters edge is
shown the opening OF a brick tunnel.
through which the Pirate Teach is
said to have conveyed his stolen goods
into the governors wine cellar for
safe keeping. For that Governor
Eden, for reasons best known to him
self, winked at the pirates freeboot-
ing expeditions, and that there was
undoubtedly some collusion between
Black Beard and the chief magistrate
of the State was matter more Of fact
than Of fiction.
To the latter class of narrative the
following thrilling tale which COM
bines very ingeniously the various
points OF historic interest in Bath.
must, it Is to be feared. belong The
story goes that Black Beard, with the
consent Of her father, was suing for
the hand Of Governor Eden's daugh-
! ter. The young lady, for the excellent
reason that she preferred another and
better man. declined absolutely to be-
come the pirates bride.
Finally, In a desperate attempt to
elude his pursuit Miss Eden bribed
| ,
across the creek in the dead OF the
night to Bath. Here she took refuge
in the "Old Marsh House with her
friend, Mrs. Palmer, whose memorial
tablet is now in st. Thomas church at
Bath, the Oldest house OF worship in
the State.
Teach, infuriated at the ladys con-
tinued rejection Of his suit, put out to
sea on one of his piratical excursions.
The prize he captured on this occa-
sion was Miss Eden's lover, his hated
rival. The story goes that Black
Beard cut off one Of the hands Of the
unfortunate captive, threw his body
into the sea and enclosing the grue-
some relic in a silver casket as if it
were some costly gift. sent 1t with
many compliments to his lady love
When the unfortunate maiden opened
the casket and saw the CHASTITY object
she uttered terrible shrek and
sWOoned from horror; then, as was
the fashion in the old romances, pined
slowly away and died of = broker
heart.
Now, at first blush. # seems thai
? this interesting tale has enough cor.
roborating evidences Of its veracity
to pass down to the coming ages a.
true history. A visitor to Bath car
see for himself every one OF the place.
4 mentioned in the story. The tablet il
q old st. Thomas church testifies il
Q many a high-sounding phrase th'
4 many virtues Of Miss Edens friend
4 Mrs. Margaret Palmer. and the "Ol<
Il Marsh House" is still standing, a vel
q preserved and fascinating relic Of th'
n past, where the above lady is said t,
n have sheltered her friend.
: But, we speak Of facts as hard an,
q stubborn things. out dates are as tn
t neither milestone for hardness An,
;. here are the rocks on which our lovel
s story skaters: Teach was capture
It and beheaded in 171s; Mrs. Palmer
$ tablet reports her to have been bor
l. in 1921, and the Marsh House was NO
=. built until 1744. The story is beau
g tiful instance of the way in whic
3 legends are made.
It After so much that is traditions
Y, brief sketch Of the pirates life ma
W not be amiss. According to Xavier
le Martins History OF North Carolins
e Edward Teach was born in BristO
te England. While quite young he too
< service on a prfvateer and fouEf
Id many years for king and country wit
ID great boldness. IN 1885 he joined on
t, Horngold, one OF a band Of pirate
10 who had their rendezvous in the Be
Is hamas, taking refuge when pursue'
AZ in the sounds and rivers Of North Cal
III o}ina.
ly On his first cruise with tf
h, pirates Teach captured a sloop,
le which HOrngold gave him the con
1e mand. He put forty guns on boar
~ named the vessel Queen Anne's r,
As venge'' and started on voyage
y. South America. Here Teach receive
MS news OF the kings proclamation
IN pardon for all pirates who would su
tx render themselves SO. having co
IN lected much plunder, and wishing
st secure it. he came to North Carolin
Id With twenty of his men he proceedt
s. to Governor Eden's house. surrende
lis ed himself and received the king
ad pardon.
Of Soon after. Black Beard married
r. young girl his thirteenth wife, ar
to settled down near Bath with the il
tention. apparently. Of becoming
in kpeaceable citizen. But his good res
lntiOnc vyoro soon hYoEen 'hpiY