The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1915-09-17
James "Highkey" MoseIy-Patriot.

Union county Is rich in Revolution
ary history and many interesting
stories can be told of the brave deeds
of her sons and daughters. However,
none are more entertaining than the
experience of the pioneer, James
Mosely. This brave man was one of
the first settlers of Union county and
lived near Grendal Shoals, on Pacolet
river. He was commonly known as
"Highkey," because he had a very
hlgh-pitched voice and, too, when
ploughing he could be heard calling
to his pony to 'hike-up."
James Mosely's first wife was
Nancy, Jasper, sister of Sergeant Jas
per. After her death he married Pat
ty Pickens.
From Logan's history of South Car
olina, pages 61-62, we have the fol-
lowing account of his experience with
the wolves:
"Of all the wild animals which the
old settlers found in these woods
none proved more troublesome or de-
structive than the wolf.
An old pioneer of the Pacolet, near
Grindal Shoals, James Mosely, who
was famous as a hunter and woods
man, and at later day as an intrepid
Wing scout, was late one evening re-
turning from hunt in which he had
taken small deer, that he carried on
his shoulder. The wolves got a scent
of the game, and were soon bowling
on the trail of the hunter. He heard
them, and knew that an effort must be
made to save both himself and the
deer. Turning a little from the path
he hastily sunk the carcass in the
creek, and running some distance
further, just had time to climb with
his rifle into the branches of a post
oak tree, as the pack came up in full
cry. 1t was now too dark for him to
use his rifle with effect, and he silent
ly watched them as they circled in-
cessantly yelping and barking around
him. They bayed him in this man
ner all night. At the approach of day,
however, their circle began to grow
larger, and as soon as he could see
through his sights he singled out the
leader of the troop and shot him. The
rest instantly ran off to their dens.
Moseley was afterwards asked WHY
he did not fire among them sooner. He
replied that he was perfectly safe in
the tree, but felt sort of pride in
waiting till daylight that he might
pick off the leader and the largest
of the gang.
The vulnerable tree connected with
this story is still living witness of
the occurrence, and known to all the
surrounding. country as Moseley's
oak. No sacriligious hand would dare
approach it with an axe. 1t stands
Immediately on the road leading to
Grindal Shoals and a short distance
from the home of Garland Meng, ESQ.
At the present time there is moth
ing left of this historic landmark but
the stump. However, the late Miss
Addie Sims made a picture of this
famous tree. This picture now hangs
in the Union Carnegie library as a
constant reminder to the youth of
Union of this brave man.
James Moseley was also a skilled
blacksmith and made pair of tooth
pullers. These forceps he used dur
ing the Revolution relieving the suf-
fering soldiers. This crude instru-
ment belongs to Mr.. j. G. Long. Sr.,
and is now preserved in the Union
Carnegie library.
James Moseley was one of Gen
Daniel Morgan's scouts and was in
the battle of Cowpens. He died in
May, 1840, and is buried in the Nose
ley graveyard near >Pacolet river on
the Hames plantation.
Clara Sarratt Drain.