Evening star., 1932-01-10


tants OF the mountain section of Virginia,
where she followed her strange and daring
career
And yet. Mad Anne was one of the most
colorful figures of her time From such bits
of her history as can be pieced together. she
has left TO the womanhood of America,
heritage of courage, resourcefulness and sacri-
flee surpassed by few men In the periious
pioneer days of our country.
Motoring over the highway between beauti-
ful Hot Springs in Bath County, to Covington,
in Allegheny County, and just before the ascent
of the serpentine drive winding over the Coy-
ington Mountain, one sees glistenng in the sun,
on a huge boulder beside the road bronze
tablet placed there recently in memory of
Mad Anne" Bailey by the Rainbow Ridge
Chapter of Allegheny County, Daughters of
the American Revolution.
The inscription thereon but vets ones ap-
petite for more facts concerning this
ma1kable woman!
1t is hard for the motorist rolling over the
smooth highways, through country dotted with
prosperous farms and busy villages, to picture
the wildnesS of the mountainous region over
$50 years ago. swnen the first white settlers
pushed their hazardous way here seeking new
homes The going was difficult. There were
no roads of any sort and only here and there
uncertain paths worn by the roaming buffalo
and deer. 1t was impossible to use wagons ON
this virgin Western journey and SO the home
seekers must pac. their precious household
goods on their horses and lead them the many
weary miles over the steep ascents and descents
Of the mountains, ford swift mountain streams,
and finally, when they met the night, lie down
under skies bright with stars dripping with
rain, as the gods willed.
But the greatest peril to the pioneer was the
Indian, who fercely resented the invasion Of
the white man into mis- heretofore undis-
puted domain. And it is in this connection
&l1-4 -. .,1o.s~ 49,,
been handed down with pardonable pride by
generations Of inhabitants in this section.
THE year 1742 marked the beginning of the
life of this spirited woman, who to
make such an indelible mark on American bor-
der history Born in Liverpool of WEIGH par
ents Anne Dennis, which her maiden
name, emigrated to this country when she was
but Is years of age and settled at Staunton, In
Augusta County. Va.
In those days Augusta County embraced
what Is now Allegheny, Bath and other coun-
ties and is therefore the mother county of all
Western Virginia. Throughout the county
forts were built safeguarding the settlers
against the fierce attacks of the red men. Two
Of these were Fort Young. near Covington,
built ia I756 by Peter Hogg, of Staunton,
captain la George Washingtons regiment. and
in after years lawyer of note In the valley;
and Fort Dinwfddle, on jackson River. which
Washington visited a tour of inspection In
17ss, coming from Fort Cumberland, and
though there was road between the two
points, the trail he is said to have pursued is
still pointed out. ..
" In 1765, when she was % years of age Anne
Dennis married James Trotter, frontiersman,
and two years later a son, whom they chris
tened William, was born to them.
In i774, the then Governor Of Virginia Lord
Dmsmore. aroused by the increasing attacks
Of the Indians, who were ruthlessy burning
settlements and killing the settlers, prepared a
concerted defense against the savages With
Andrew Lewis as brigadier general, a force OF
1,10o men was raised, chiefly from the coun-
ties OF Augusta, Botetourt, Cuipeper and Bed
ford. Bold and brave men were these who
went out to defend their homes and loved ones
against the atrocities of the Indians. As one
old volume describes them: They wore fringed
hunting shirts dyed yellow, white, brown and
even red. Quantity carved shot-bags and
powder horns hung from their broad belts.
They had fur caps, or soft hats, moccasins
and coarse woolen leggins reaching half way
up to the thigh. Each carried his fintlock,
his tomahawk and scalping knife" 1t is also
said that from marks made on a bar room,
where these hardy men met to commune
their grog, they stood almost to man over
feet inches tall and that none among them
was under feet IN his stockings.
In this stalwart company James Trot-
ter husband of Anne, and 1t at the en-
suing encounter known the Battle of Point
Pleasant, that he, together with many of his
brave comrades -in-arms, lost his life. And it
was this event that decided the strange destiny
of his young wife.
For, although the Indians, too, lost heavily,
and were never again able to meet the Vir-
ginians on the east side Of the Ohio in open
battle they continued their raids and devasta-
tion from time to time for many years to
come. Every pioneer barred his door at night
and kept his gun by his side he worked in
the fields never knowing when an attack might
come.
When after several days of anxious waiting
the news Of the Battle reached Stau 1ton, bring
ing stories of horror and seh-sacrifce that
brought terror and sorrow to many hearts,
eeod ifcalf In, r1,cl,