Newspapers / The Journal-Patriot (North Wilkesboro, … / June 27, 1940, edition 1 / Page 30
Part of The Journal-Patriot (North Wilkesboro, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
THB J0tJKNii£4 - A V 'teom Bscn.tiirM).,,^ “Hi Miike wai «y iW W%ii csptare, Hw tttH 4iitf»aw x^ptoiii wen ia suck ltMto for we elMd^ tiio Colwol ia* ple. One/i^d of • fop« «•• futon- pOM|^9TtBj)W BOOB u they 'mre _tber^> - T«8NjtlQt ^ M.to bl» i>^k 'wh«p^ he »m 'mm AlkA •' *•—mi 'e 'tA* Bfi'A 'ttiii nltiair trtto h»d been'toade wM'Mtf'N^' PMeebnife' ; fcc«\it idoet ^ Ihe Odiole party tfriil :jft«|ri*friHi»rB and Ma ser- vudk- awre apaedlly mounted and tnnM'^’Tip Haw Rirer. nkia atnaiiTV apr'^near! Hs aonree, was qotlar .|hMH«,¥and the Toriea tranaM awatty in ita bed to avoid beMlidtosckedi teieaM of pursnit Afkar Riddle and his party had eaSad at Cnibirth’s on their way dofi^ .the river, yoang Daniel Cur- Urflt and a yonth named WaKers, wh»- were abemit at the time re- tarned, and encouraged by Mrs. Carbirth they resolved to take thf^i^ns, seleet a good spot, and Anboseade Riddle on his return, Otrt tf his hands Ills days wbuM bfe necestHty for' haling ^ freiid)l*[ inddnted on i log and the other , . mia tlliin the To# ahd thus, naturally but penman, he puxpoedy re* ' 1^ ' task' as ' much ‘ as jidssihie, hoping to gain time for the expected relief, apologising for htS'Mpnders and renewing his nn* willing" efforts. Reveral of the Tory party were now saddling their horses for an early start, and hi^nn ¥3* T| flagt they fhooM make theirs 'dfsid Harrlsoa 46 the tutthiddgwiied y art cieveiana, wno as pnaens was: , cort^^ wtoslpg S tag enlprit**remeaibertag very'end tied: to a Mmb; then the tog Wet] the'Tough treatmeoft he had rolledi from under him and^ he received at the hands of Wells at' dangled iroih a Mmb in plain view the Perktos place at the Oki of the'prtoon. The other cnlprltt Fields; and firmly convinced that ^ was shown his comrade* swinging the lives of the patriots of the;from the Mmb and he was given B patric Yadkin Valley woiud he safer, and! his choice, to take his piece be^ their ehanber all the more peace*]side him or cut off both*his o'^ ful, when their suffering country eare and leave the country for* Cleveland was receiving threats'if was rid of all such vQe deepen* ever. The ^ry knew it would not he did not hurry up the Isst pass* does. Wells soon dangled from a do to meddle with old Round A* port. convenimit tree and his remains bout, so he called for a knife. He Just at this moment the relief were buried in the sand on the was handed a caee knife, and aft* party wag silently creeping up; bank of the river. and the next moment several guns were fired and the Whigs rnshed up, uttering their loudest yells. Colonel Cleveland, comprehending the situation, tumbled off behind the log, lest his friends might ac* cidently shoot him, and exclaiming and ftatmpa rescue whatever pris* ‘ at the .top of his thundering voice, oners he might have. But on the 1 “Hurrah for Brother Bob! That’s return of the Tory party the next day, they made so much noise and gave so many military commands, that led the youthful arabuscaders to conclude that the Tories had re ceived reinforcements, and that it 'would be rashpess for two single- handed youths to undertake to cojie with numbers so unequal. So Riddle and his party reached Cur- birth’s undisturbed and ordered dinner for himself, men, and pris oners. Riddle abused and even locked one of the Curbirth’a girls who did not 'willfully aid in pre paring the dinner. After dinner they proceeded up New River, mostly along its bed, until they came to the moUth of £3k creek, up 'which they made their way in the same manner, Colonel Cleve land managed to break off over hanging twigs and drop them in the water to float down as a guide to his friends, who he knew would make early pursuit. Prom the head of the south fork of Elk they ascended up the mountain to what has since been kno-wn as Riddle Knob, in what is now Watauga and about 14 miles from Old Fields where he 'was captured; here they camped for the nights. fhirly on the morning of Cleve land’s capture Joseph Calloway and his brother-in-law, Berry Toney, wanting to see Cleveland on business, called at Duncan’s and leameiT of the missing horses and the search for them; and at that moment they heard the report of the firing at the upper end of the plantation, and hastened in that direction, soon meeting Duncan and Shirley in rapid flight, who could only tell that Richard Calla way had fallen and that Cleveland was either killed or taken. It was at once agn’ced that Duncan, Shir ley and Toney should notify the people of the scattered settlements to meet .that aftmoon at Old Fields, while Joseph Callaway should go to his father’s close by, mount his horse and hasten to Captain Robert Cleveland's on Lewis Fork; a dozen miles distance. His brother, (William Callaway, starred up the river and soon came across Samuel McQueen and Ben jamin Greer, who readily joined him; and all being good woodsmen, they followed the Tory trail as best they could, till night overtook them some distance above the mouth of Elk creek and about ten miles from Old Fields. William Callaway suggested that he and McQueen would remain there while Greer should return to pilot up whatever men may have gathered to engage in the pursuit of the Tories. By night-fall Captain Robert Cleveland and twenty or thirty others, good and tried men, who had served under Colonel Cleve land, had gathered at Old Fields, determined to rescue their old commander at every hazzard, even, though th€5rhad to follow the Tory party to the gates of Ninety-Six. Greer made his appearance in good time and at once they were on the trail of the enemy. They reached William Callaway and McQueen a while before day; and as soon as light began to appear John Baker joined Callaway and McQueen to lead the advance as spies. A little after sunrise, ha-ving proceeded four miles, they discovered indi cations of the enemy’s camp on the nvnintain. But little arrangement 'Was made for the attack; nine man only were in readiness—^^the othars seem to have been some distance behind. Only four or five or these were ordered to fire on the enemy the others reserving their shots for a secoiid volley, or any emergency that might happen—of these 'was William Callaway. Part of the Tories had already breakfast, while others were en gaged preparing their morning meal. Cleveland was seated on a large log while Riddle had Cleve land’s own pistol at him, also Zachariah Wells had his pistol pointed at Cleveland, forcing him to write out passes for the several members of Riddle’s party certify ing that etch was a good 'Whig— to be used when in tight places, to help ont of difficulty by asserting tiwiy were patriots of the tru est Cleveland’s commenda* nniaeationed along iSifSfSai oi Vkginia and the Oe|M|teik''Jhrt the Colooel lied a: '"ilHt, ■ sM'kie' right, give ’em hell.” Wells alone was shot as he was scampering away by William Callaway in hot pursuit, and supposed to be mor tally wounded; he was left to his fate. “The rest fled with the aid of their fresh horses, or such as they could secure at the moment, Riddle and his wife among the number. Cleveland’s servant, a pack-horse for Tory plunder, 'was overjoyed at his sudden libera tion. Cleveland and Ross 'were thus fortunately rescued; and hav ing gained their purpose the hap py whigs retained to their several homes. William Callaway was es pecially elated that he had shot V/ells who had so badly wounded his brother, Richard C^laway, at the skirmish at Old Fields the morning before. Riddle Captured and Hung A short time after this occur- lence. Captain Riddle ventured to make a night raid into the Yadkin Yalley, where, on King’s Creek, several miles above Wilkesboro, they surounded the house where two of Cleveland's noted soldiers, David and John Witherspooon, re sided 'with their parents. The two were taken prisoners and carried to the Tory camp on Wataug^a riv er, where both were sentenced to be shot—blindfolded, and men de tailed to do the fatal work. It was then proposed, if they would take the oath of allegiance to the King, return to their home and speedily return with a certain noble animal belonging to David Witherspoon, known as the O’Neal mare, and join the Tory band, their lives would be spared. They gladly ac cepted the proposition—-with such hesitation as they thought best to make. As soon as they reached home David Witherspoon mounted his fleet-footed mare and hasten ed to Col. Ben Herndon’s several miles down the river, who quickly raised a party ,and piloted by the Witherspoons, they soon reached the Tory camp, taking it by sur prise, capturing three and killing and dispersing others. The young Witherspoons fulfilled their prom ise of speedily returning to the Tory camp ’oringiitg the O'Neal; mare, but under somewhat differ ent circumstances from what the Tories expected. 'The prisoners were Captain Riddle and two of his associates named Reeves and Goss. They were brought to Wilkesboro and tried j by court martial and sentenced to^ be hung. But in order to gain favor with the Whigs or get them in a condition so that they might escape Riddle treated them free ly to whiskey. Colonel Cleveland informed him that it was useless to be wasting his whiskey as he would be hung directly altar' breakfast. The three Tories were' accordingly hung on the notorious oak that is yet st.^di]^ in Wilkes- Ijoro. Mrs. — Riddle7 wife of the Tory leader, was present, and 'wit- nesesd the execution of her hus band and his comrades. How The Tories Hated Him | Colonel Cleveland was the Tor ies’ worst enemy in this section. He was determined to break up the Tory bands that infested the frontier. Cleveland and his regi ment were known far and near for their courage. They were kno'wn among the (Whigs as Cleveland’s Heroes, or Cleveland’s Bull Dogfs, while the Tories denominated them “Cleveland’s Devils.” Cleveland himself rated each of his well tried followers as equal to five soldiers. , It was not long until one of ; Cleveland’s men captured Zacha riah Wells, who had not yet recov ered from the wounds received at Riddle Knob. He was .taken to High’s bottom about a mile below Cleveland’s Round About resi dence. Here James Gwyn, a youth of thirteen, with a colored boy, was at work in the field, when Cleve land, who had joined those having the prisoner in charge, took the plow-lines from the horse with which te hang Wells, to a tree on the river bank. Young Gwyn, who knew nothing of the stem reali ties of war, was shocked at the thought of so summary an execu tion. Being well acquainted ■with Colonel Cleveland he begged him not to hang the poor fellow, who looked so pitiful and ■was suffering from hia former wound. dted the Ool(i^*a nnnpatbe^ iM said, “Jknais; iBir'lieB,'ke other Tories See '^roable • Many other Tories fell Into the hands o t Celeveland’s brave troopers and summary punish ment was meted out to them In Cleveland’s i^anal way. Once a Tory leader named Tate and eight others were captured and Cleve land and his men had them near old Richmond, in Surry county. ■When Cleveland was about to execute the leader. Colonel Wil liam Shepherd protested against such summary justice. ’’’Why,’’ said Cleveland, "Tate confessed that he has frequently laid in wait to kill you.” "Is that so?” inquired Shepherd, turning to the Tory captain. Tate confesaed, and Shepherd yielded to Cleveland’s er whetting H on. e brick M grit ted his teeth and’ sawed off both earsi He was then liberated and he left with the blood streaming down both cheeks and was never heard of afterwards. “I’ll Show Yon Perpetual Morton” John Dose was the Faithful oveyseer of Colonel Cleveland’s plantation while the Colonel was absent from home during the Tory troubles in 1780-81. Bill Harrison, a noted leader In this region, with the aid of his follow ers, not only stole Cleveland’s stock and destroyed his property, but arrested his overseer, took him to a bill-side, placed him on a log, fastened one end of a grape vine around his neck and the other end was fastened to the plan and soon Tate dangled from prong of a stooping dogwood, a limb. Tate’s associates suffered .then one of the party went up the only imprisonment as other pris- Ihlll so as to gain sufficient propel- oners of war. jlins power, then rushed down On another occasion Colonel headlong, butting Doss Cleveland visited Colonel Shep herd at Richmond, where he had two notorious horse-thieves in prison. Cleveland insisted on swinging them to the nearest tree off the log into eternity. It was not long until Harrison was caught and brought to Cleveland’s home. Accompanied by his servant Bill and one or two others Cleveland hw4 ms, mnttared- tit* trsmbUng wretelt. "Wliy tiMt” «Be«MUW^, fstd-llta Tom- ino# I mi 'ft ttssMl tils nstaMmi’kooii—tM K tiutnfe—^ksts foP^yott' ln psacsfnl toys, imd eknast-wsll bs spared; bssldse l-lu^ invCBtSd psrpStnal mbtikiif and U I am.now suddenly sat off, ths world 'wiU loosd ths bsnsfit of my ,discor- -srr. I, too, have hoard yon enrse Fanning and othsr Loyalist load ers for putting prlsonsrs to dsath "—whore are' your principles— where year consclencof’’ ’‘tyhere Is my consdsBce,” retorted Cleve land: “where are my horses and cattle you have stolen; my bam fences yon have -wantonly burned —and where is poor Jack Dose?” ‘Fore God I will do this deed and justify myself before high Heaven and my country! Run up the hill. Bill, and but him off the log— I’ll show him perpetual motion!’’ Tbe Boys Haag A Tory On one occasion when Colonel Cleveland was away from home, a Tory horse-thlrf was captured and brought and turned over to Cleveland’s sons, to await their father's return. The Colonel, not returning aa soon as expected, and fearing if they should undertake to keep the prisoner over night he might escape or give them trouble, they appealed to . their mother what was best to do under the circumstances. Mrs. Cleveland said to the boirs, "'What would your father do in such a case?’’ The boys promptly replied, "Hang him.’’ "Well then,” said the old lady, "You must hang him,” and the thief was accordingly hung at the gate. Cleveland’s Generosity :m«nkJJbt jn» g kpBB-^jMgS'Oftkomawmu tug, ^jiMk lost ito ’OptnititiUtyc’Bor^ no M A rdtdtmiAt thgsg who WMtit ToIbrab Onto Mi *: py*ty Hard ^ ^ totf of his wjtii, "waste a»'tinnS;"swtag'bint (Off gUek,” sald^OI«velaiMi.^ow be In sack a ibs-id' hurry ataiut It,’' eoMIy rstoitad the^con- demned - mas. > 4*ievaUnd, who wag toddlfhg' alenr- (MMnd, was so pieasetL witS tM eod retort that he told the boys' to let him go. The.^Toi7, touched with sud den generoeity, turned to Cleve land and taito “Well, old fellow, you've ctoqnered me; I’ll ever fight on yopr ^de,” and proved it and'fiin^lf one of Cleveland’s sturdy followers. ' On another occasion he met an old whig who had been led astray by the' Tories and addressed him in this rtylei “Well Bob, I reckon you are returning from a Tory trip, are you not?” “Yes, Colonel, I am.” “Weil,” continued the Colonel; “I expect when you be come rested you will take another Jaunt with them, eh?” “No, Col onel, If I ever go with them again I’ll give you leave to make a but ton of my head for a halter.” “Well, Bob, that shall be the bar gain.’’ So he gave Bob a stiff drink of grog, in accordance with the fashion of the times, and a hearty diaher, and started him off home rejoicing on his way and declaring that, after all, old Round About had a warmer heart and a kindlier way with him than any Tory leader he had ever met, and evm after .Boh proved him self as true a Whig almost as the Colonel himself. Besides trying to put down , itaM iiko tried to-skirft fsi^idi^btlRlto ii th»-wsr,' 4k' pUrtottata Pf clniriibtor. ’At'henrt M ,iiiwihtoi»i’’to"bb * Tdry. gfl **5^ I TOnSi'i^di^nd observed 'aegVeet; presdntod eg.* Very "sonry ap^nnto. Hk esilsd ont end asked'It he’kfd ^ tn^ 'atck. He said that bs hntt -” ^ not. “Have yon been fighting for" youy conntry then?” "No,” s*ld' '*'!5 the ‘nettti^,'"! have not been fighting on either aide.” “In tlmM Mks these,’’ remarked Cleveland, “men .who are not fighting,-and..-_ Are al^to work, mnat not be aW'. ! ^ lowed'wh»ve their crops as 77 as yonfs.’’ The indolent man had p to “Thumb the Notch” and re- ' ceire.the lashes aa a penalty for ^ his negligence. It is not necessary to say that Bishop’s corn was, from that time on, in as good con dition as any man’s in the conn- try. ■ . His La« sHUfary Service *; Cleveland was “all things to . all people.” His love for the A- tnerican cause was unhoanded. His numerous friends -loved and 'r admired him for his bold and fearless simplicity, while hlg ene mies hated him for the same rea son that his friends loved hiss. But the war was now rapidly jjw *■ drawing to a close. In the au-'-||y tumn of 1781, Colonel Cleve land performed his last military ■ service—a three months’ tour of duty on the waters of the Little Pedee, in the south-eastern part '' of the State, under General Ruth erford. At this time the British Colonel Craig was confined to (Continued on page five) TWO Big EVENTS PLANNED FOR YOUR Entertainment and Profit c E L E B R AT 10 N ATTRACTIONS YOU CANT AFFCMID TO MISS! JUNE30 JULY 1-4 Suite is -walnut; similar but not like illustration shoMm. It’s a rare value! Here^s a Value 4-poster bed, vanity, bench, and chest of drawers ANNIVERSARY PRICED! Sow of Bedroom Groups! Four-piece Walnut Suite $39.50 Good Bed Springs 4.50 Splendid Mattress 7.00 9x12 Linoleum Rug 4.95 Two Good Pillows 1.50 REGULAR SALE PRICE $57.45 ANNIVERSARY SALE PRICE. $48.75 IF SUMMER FURNITURE SUBSTANTIAUY REDUCED! Get in on these Summer Furniture reductions and save real money. Gliders, swings, porch and lawn chairs, beach *airs, and many other items being closed out at money-saving prices. A rare op portunity to buy summer furniture while attending the Celebration, for there will be plenty need for it for some time yet. Come In and Select What You Need BIG RADIO VALUES BOTH NEW AND USED! ' We’re, celebrating our 13th Anniversary in the furniture business by offering sensational values in new and used Radios of popular makes, including Zenith, Majestic, etc., in tabJe and cabinet mod els, in a price range from $3.00 up. If you ever intend to own a Radio, surely you will not let this opportunity pass by. Number Is Limited^ So Don’t Put It Off NINTH STREET “ALWAYS OUTSTANDING FURNITURE VALUES”
The Journal-Patriot (North Wilkesboro, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
June 27, 1940, edition 1
30
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75