The farmer and mechanic., 1915-06-01
TRY CARL GOERCH.)

Revolutionary war, there lived in the
vicinity of what is now called South
Creek. in Beaufort county, rich
landowner-Darius Wooten by name,
who owned thousands of acres in that
section of the State and who was one
Of the weaithiest residents of Caro-
lima. Naughty, cruel, unmerclful TO
all who came under his hand, treach-
erous to friend and stranger alike,
Wooten bore "a reputation as unfavor-
able as his wealth was great. He was
hated by all with whom he came In
contact, feared by his family, serv-
ants and neighbors and dreaded by
those who were forced to have bust
ness dealings with him.
On the banks of the creek, WoOten
had erected what was at that time
considered a palatial mansion. Sur
rounded by a large retinue Of slaves,
he lived in the style of a king. His
slightest wish was obeyed and every
act or deed that caused his dlspleas-
ure or anger, was rewarded with the
most severe and cruel punishment.
Many of his slaves were said to have
died as the result of the beatings
which were administered by WOoten'S s
authority. Others endeavored to eS-
cape and when caught, were heart
lessly tortured and mistreated. 1t
was said that the tyrant had a dun
geon fitted out in his handsome home,
which was completely equipped with
implements of torture similar to those
used by the Spanish inquisition.
Beautiful Daughter Sibyl.
Wooten had a daughter-Sibyl-
bea utiful Of face and form, sweet in
disposition, tender hearted and the
idol of all eastern Carolina. She was
loved as her father was hated. Often
times she secreted away some slave
who had been punished for some
slight offense and cared for him,
treating his wounds and restoring him
to health again. The negroes Wor-
shipped the very ground on which she
walked. Sibyl was in love with a
young man, a sailor, Albert Latimer
by name, whose father was a ship
owner of Bath, few miles distant
from the home of Wooten. Young
Iatimer sailed in his fathers vessels
and upon his every arrival at port
visited his sweetheart. Their meet
ings were secret for the young suitor S
father had once crossed the will OF
the lord of South Creek and the lat
ter had sworn vengeance on all Lati-
mers. One time, when he had taken
his daughter to Bath. Wooten had
discovered young Latimer in conver-
sation with her His rage had beer
frightful and for several months aft
erwards. he kept her a close prisoner
in her room. AS a result the two
lovers were forced to plan their meet
ings with the greatest of cunning il
order to escape the wrath of the ty
rant
IIatimcr Shipwrecked.
One trip on which Latimer sailed
took him to South America. The YES
sci was shipwrecked off the northern
coast of the continent. Latimer wa
picked up 10y a ship bound for India
He was forced to proceed with tn
vessel 1t was many months later be
fore he finally managed to reac
home again. His first question, upo
arriving at Bath was to ask for hi
sweetheart. He was told that condi
tions had not changed since his de
parture and that affairs at the Woot
en- homestead went on as ever. Eage
to see and talk to Sibyl, Latimer dc
termined to forego his usual custor
of at first arranging meeting plac
He secured a skiff and roWed
South Creek. A few miles from tn
Wooten home, ne disembarked, CO,
cealed his boat and stole up to With
sight of the house. All that day an
part Of the next he continued his Wig
without being rewarded by a sight
noon Of the second day, he saw h,
proceed from the house and into II
garden, where she began pickiI
flowers. BY means of throwing pc
bles, Latimer managed to attract h
attention. She saw him, uttered
sharp cry and dropping her flower
ran rapidly to him. In a moment th
were clasped in each others arms
Kills His Own Daughter.
Their meeting had not gone u
witnessed. Wootcn, attracted to
window by his daughters cry, So
the lovers embracing. With cry
rage, he seized a shotgun, ran to t
door and taking hasty aim, fired +
daughter sank forward in the arms
her lover. The bullet intended t
him had found it's target in
breast.
For a moment, Latimer stood as
stunned. Then, realizing what h
been wrought, he dropped his lifel,
burden, pulled huge pistol from
solor blouse and fired at Wooten. T
latter dropped his gun, threw
hands wildly in the air and pitch