Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-06-17
MIscELLANY.
From tina Cheshire Gazette

History is the grand spy-glass, which
enables US 20 take view Of variety
of interesting objects of antiquity at
once, and generally the more distant
the object, the more wonderful and in
teres'ing they appear, when brought
within the field view Of intelligence. -
Hence is, that while the ingenuity
Of historians has been employed in'pry-
ing into the most rare foreign produc-
tons, on the catalogue Of human ex-
ploits, many equally worthy the atten-
ton Of the patriot and philanthropist,
in our own neiehbourhood, slnmher in
the tomb of oblivion unnotced and w
known. Some of our forefathers, whose
bones quietly repose beneath the sods
ofour own vallies, and whose achieve
ments live only in the memories ol
their children, can boast Of deeds that
will be the theme Of admiration, to his
torians, some thousand years since
Their hardships, their snfierings, their
preservation, and prosperity in a viii
derness of enemies, their heroick de-
fence against surrounding mGIti;udes OF
hostile savages, are subjects which ex-
cite very little attention among those
who are now enjoying the F" milk and
honey," Of the land, but which de-
serve to be enrolled among the deeds
of the Theban and spartan valor.
The following sketch, describes one
of the most chivalrick exploits which
the annals Of our country Can pro-
duce.
In the year l74o, John KiIburn, the
hero of the following story, came to
WaIpole, New.Hampshire. The large
and fertile meadows at the south
of Cold River. slightly covered with
bu,ternut and elm, presents an inviting
prospect to the new settlers. and an ea-
sv har, est to the hand Of cutivation,--
Here he built log hut. and for two
wears lived N the solitude OF the forest,
without any intercourse with friend or
foe. He often sought opportunities to
cultivate the friendship of the Indians,
,but on every occasion they stndiously
avoided him. During this time his life
was one continual scene of danger and
hardship constantly exposed to the IN
;oclemencics Of the weather, and the
;nsidious attacks OF secret foe. And
what rendered his situation still more
comfortable, he was obliged to en-
camp ont at different places each night
,he cold earth his bed, with bear skin
for his covering and cartrldse-boS
for his pillow, in order to avoid the
midnight prowlng of the savages, who
,.ore watching ia concealment for ar
nnnortunity to strike the deadly blow
ard who often paid their nocturnal Wis
;,s at his dwelling, and took from hin
smoh articles as might contribute tc
ths;r conv enience, &. the qualification
nf,hcir wanton disposition. Very diff
foront is the situation Of those, who
now cultivate the same SOIL planting
At their leisure the luyur'ant cora, anc
reapinc in ease and afllaence the fruits
or their labonrs.
In l75l, Colonel Benjamin Bellows
,A,,;ned the charter of Walpo!c, %lt
began sett'eihehto o'' '"", "o''' "''''
sonth of Kilburn's. the site now occu
MED by the out buildings of I. Bellows
E.q. There was 9 Fort Also a
Charlcstownthen called Number Four
This addition to the strength of tho
white settlers, induced the Indians tC
treat them with more respect. Abou
his time, a company came down tbs
river, landed their boats above the fall'
and invited Kilburn to trade with them
Un visited their boats; ; bought some
skins. and made some presents of iiiots
aonr and fi,h.hcoks From this time
u,a Ind;ans contained to hunt and EN-.
camp can about ,he neishoqurhhOod' rho land and I'll. h,
rsp,e, of their guns, and the smoke OF
,Seir wicwams, were mingled with tbs
familiar occurrences Of lie.