El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-07-15
Woman Defies Soldiers
Hannah TffreaI Saves Husba nd's
Cattle, DCficS British Soldiers
And Is Fired IpOu-
BY MADISOr- c. PETERS.
Copyright 1916 by Madison c.
Peters)
MAnIcOr c. PETERS.

z SRAEL ISRAEL, husband Of Hann9 =
Erwin Israel. was a native OF
- Philadelphia He left America at Il
for the Barbados. and after 10 years
gathered considerable fortune and re
turned 10 America In few months
after his marriage the war broke out,
during which his fortune was either
lost or sacrificed by his agents
Israel was a Quaker. though his name
is decidedly Jewish. During the revolIc
tion he resided on the Delaware. near
Wilmington With his brother he had
determined TO take up arms for free
, dom. But it was decided that lots be
home to protect the women The lot OF
soldier fell 20 the younger brother.
The mother. with her family. had
moved ITO Philadelphia, as her home ar
Newcastle. Delaware, was exposed too
much TO the viccissitudes OF war. Dur
ing the occupancy Of Philadelphia by
the British the Israel family, endured
| severe hardships and Israel watched
over them with incessant anxiety
Knowing that his mother and those uE -
der her roof were in want he deter
mined to reach them One Of his Tory
neighbOrs procured for him the counter
sign and eludinr the vigilance OF the
sentinel. ne made his way 10 his moth
er's house which he found in posses
sion Of the British soldiers who had
quartered themselves upon the family
His brother was there, too, on secret
visit
Israel and Brother Seized.
The loyalist VINO had given the sis,n.
! betrayed the secret Of Israels expedf-
ton He and his brother were seized
and carried on board the frigate. Roe
! buck" lying in the Delaware. a few
miles from V-Tfrnfurrfru nnnnSfra his
/ home there 10 b tried as a spy Being
one of the committee OF safety" his
position was peculiarly perilous- His
] fate was decided before trial The tes-
timOny Of his Tory neighbors was over
] Whelmingly against him Several we're
! ready TO swear that while the loyal
population Of the county had willingly
/ furnished their share Of provisions
needed BY the ships OF war. he had been
! heard to say repeatedly that he would
sooner drive his cattle as a present to
Gen Washington, than receive thou
| sands Of dollars in British gold for
them
Young Wife Defies Soldiers.
The British commander upon receiv-
/ ing this informs lion ordered a detach-
! ment Of soldiers TO so TO IsraePs mead
ows. in full view Of the frigate. a kd
seize and slaughter his cattle then feed
! Ing there His 70 year old wife. saw her
husband and brother taken to the
| frigate. and watched the movements Of
she made for the meadows in hot hss<sf
and with an eight year old boy began
10 drive out the cattle. The soldiers
threatened to shoot her II she did not
get out The heroic woman cried: Fire
away" The towards fired several
shots. and one hit her. She drove her
cattle TO safety and won the admiration
of the men for her heroic daring
Masonic sign saves Him
The trial OF her husband took place
Asked by sympathetic soldier II he
was a Free Mason. Israel so declaring
himself. was informed that the officers
were MasOns and that communicatiop
, was TO be held on board the vessel tnsts
night He made manly defence and at
the opportune time gave the Masonic
sign Of distress Not only did the
naughty bearing of the officers change.
but the Tory witnesses were repri-
manded for seeking to injure an up
right man Presents were given TO his
heroic Hannah. while he himself and
his brother were set at liberty
But for the talismanic power OF Ma
sorry in al probability both brothers
would have been shot
Israel Israel was at one time CRANK
master of the grand lodge Of Masons Of
Pennsylvsnia- He was also sheriff Of
Philadelphia
Hannah Erwin became the mother Of
Mrs Ellet. whose three volumes OF the
Women OF the Revolution" are among
the most informing books ever penned
on American history.