From Bent Twigs in Jefferson County, by the inestimable late County Historian, Jean Patterson Bible. Transcribed by the incomparable Doris Kinser Fountain.

Jasper Christy and the Saddle Trees

(p. 92)

Jasper Christy was the local blacksmith. He served as a Confederate soldier during the war and was always a jolly and entertaining person.

Once, when he was about to be captured, he ran around a long string of box cars loaded with munitions. He climbed into one which was loaded with saddle trees and worked himself so deep into a pile, he was hidden and his pursuers couldn't find him. Even a company of guards searching the train failed.

He stayed hidden all day, and that night the cars were picked up by the rail road and transferred down the line. The next day, Christy crawled out of the saddle trees into a strange land.

He finally found his way home, but was always careful about where he hid after that.