ANOTHER WITNESS TO THE DARK DAY.
By J. M. Gallemore
The following item will most likely be of interest to the numerous readers of the Review:— In this county, and four or five miles from this place, lives a colored man, Joseph Gunn, who claims to have reached the ripe old age of 110 years—his age, as he says, being on record in the Bible of his old master who died long since. From the incidents that he is able to recollect, we presume he is not mistaken. He was born a slave to Thos. Foster, in Maryland Co., Va. He was taken from Va. to North Carolina, and brought from North Carolina to Missouri by Thos. Gunn, deceased, about fifty-four years ago. He says he has seen Gen. Washington often, and recollects many of the incidents of the Revolutionary war, being a good-sized boy at that time, large enough to carry water to the soldiers, as he claims to have done. He says he remembers the dark day very distinctly, being engaged in hauling wood from a clearing at the time, when it became so dark that he could not see his oxen. His impression was that the great day had come, and he hastened to the house where he found all the family of the same impression. He says it remained dark until late in the evening. He says he was also a witness to the falling stars, being at the time camped out on the way from North Carolina to Missouri. His master hearing a noise where the horses were fastened waked him up to go and see what caused it. He returned and told his master that the stars were all falling, and that the Judgment must be at hand. This old man claims that his physical powers are good with the exception of his eyesight, which is poor. He says he can walk several miles without tiring, and is able to work about the premises. He says he is a Methodist and was converted early in life. He seems to be of a very religious turn, and sensible in his conversation. Who knows but this old man may live to see the Saviour come? How earnest ought we to be in the work of giving the last warning message!