Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-04-03
A DARING Patriot
Feats OF a Little Known Hero OF
Revolutionary Times.
JACK JOWETT'S BRAVE RACE.

| II Saved Jefferson and the Virginia
Assembly From Capture by TarIe-
toms Dragons and Gave General
WASHINGTON Valuable Inform alton.
| Most of the Revolutionary heroes
have been immortalized in song or
story. but there is one whose fame has
never spread. as it should beyond the
region of his birth. His name was
Jack Jowett. In the little city of
Charlottesville. Va, there is tablet
of his old tavern. But that simple
bronze is the only memorial Of his
name ard deeds.
In Revolutionary days young Jack
Jowett kept the Swan tavern in Char
lottesville. He was n patriot at time
when patriotism was dangerous, for
CORVALLIS was in possession of tide
water Virginia. and Tarleton and his
cavalry were sweeping back and forth
over the in. counties.
In June, 1881, the Virginia assembly
abandoned Richmond wi..ch Cornwall
lis threatened. and came to SIT AZ f"nr-
lotteSville. Among its members Were
such men as Patrick Henry, Richard
Henry Lee and Benjamin Harrison,
and the governor was no other than
Thomas jefferson. One bright morn
ing when the state assembly was in
session Jack mounted his thoroughbred
mare and rode out to look over his
farm outside the town. AS he rode
along he caught through the trees Il
glimpse of IA British uniform flashing
down Il crossroad. He put his horse
over the low stone wall and confront
ed the rider. 1t was one of Tarleton's
troopers
With Il big pistol pointed at his head
the En%liShman thought it wise to
obey Jacks command to turn in at the
gate of Il nearby house and change
clothing with him. Under threat Of
death the soldier divuged the fact that
Tarlcton WAS in the vicinity. Jowctt
at once galloped away in search of the
enemy. The day passed without re-
suit, and Jack stopped at an inn to
take few hours rest
In the night he heard the tramp Of
horses and. looking ont of his window.
saw that the yard was full of British
soldiers, ted by Talcton himself. The
troopers entered the tavern and sat
down to drink and talk. quite unc0n-
sciouS that an enemy was on the stair
above listening TO every word From
their conversation .Iowett learned
that Tarleton commanded an advance
guard that was hating to wait for the
rest of the troop. Tuen they planned
to dash on to charlottesville and cap
ture the Virginia assembly.
Jack Jov'ptt set out Mt once in the
cool of the dawn. Once he was chased
by some troopers who trotted in from
the pike that crossed his path. but his
bay mare soon Outpaced theirs. Like
the wind he raced through lanes, over
low stone fences. up the side of the
hill to beautiful Monticello. the home
of Governor jefferson. He warned
jefferson OF the approach of the Brit
ish. and then. with Il fresh horse. he
dashed down the steep mountain road
into Charlottesville. Rushing into tina
hall where the assembly was in SEES
sion. he called to the members to flee
for Tarletons Dragons would soon be
at their heels. In few moments the
hall was empty. and the members
were on their way across the noun
tains to Staunton. where they would
be safe from pursuit.
Jack rode on to his tavern, but found
there a wounded officer of the Cont
mental army-General Stevens. He
dressed the sick man in a suit of his
own clothes. carried him downstairs
and put him on the fresh horse. with