Our Singing Country

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	Our Singing Country
	THE VANCE SONG g. No. 1592. Unck Branch Higgins, 85 years old, Salyersville, Ky., 1937. Note from Cox, p. 207. See Co, p. 189. "Some hundred years ago, Abner Vance} a Baptist preacher} was hanged at Abingdony Virginiay for the killing of Lewis Norton, who had abused Vanceys family in his absence. Horton tried to escapey jumped on his horse, and attempted to swim across a river near Vance*s house. Vance got his gun and shot him while he was fording the river. After conviction, Vance lay in prison for some time} during which he made a ballad about himself. From the prison window he looked out and saw them erect the scaffold and make the coffin upon which he stood on the day of his execution and preached his own funeral sermon. His son-in-law, Frank Brownings was present, and Vance asked him to turn his back when the trap should fall. A reprieve had been granted the doomed man, but the men who had him in charge hanged him a jew minutes before it arrived."