Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-07-12
Original 4tltstrIlaup,
Historical "reminiscences.

Historical "Reminiscences.
George P. Marsh, in his admirable historical
address, delivered before the Literary Societies
of Union College, in 1847, in treating of the
great errors into which our modern historians
have generally fallen, in neglecting the relation
of fact for general speculation, very Justly re-
marks:---
"Our knowledge can only be complete by ex-
haustIng those obscure and neglected sources of
information to which have alluded; and it will
often turn out that the very facts which the hisro,
rian has scorned to record, as beneath the digni.
ty of his Office, do in reality shed more light on
the true history of man than the annals of ages
of warfare, or the alternate rise and fall of dy-
nasties."
With the sentiments of Mr.. Marsh on this
subject, we heartily accord. We have often
waded through the histories of our own State, in
vain, for some true idea of the state of things at
given period: for although they all may be
correct and particular enough, in describing i'm
portant events, and the political action of public
bodies, yet, in their general remarks and de-
scrptions, we could gather but little idea of the
actual condition of the people at home, or the
state of society, which was wanting to account
satisfactorily for many Of the events and occur
rences they described. At length we bethought
us to search among the manuscript files of our
State archieves. Here we found much to supply
the deficiency in question. but not where we ex-
pected to find it; for the State papers, and all
others which seem to be looked upon as of any
Importance, were as general as our histories; but
in the preambles of private petitions to the Leg
lslasaTe eg TIE .Cq9c 9 beoe 26ss BSaie
or their committees, we obtained much Of what
we were in quest. For instance, we now recall
an account presented by Ethan Allen for the ex-
penses of one of our first election days. in which,
among others, the following item occurred, all
in the hand writing Of the old hero himself
Item, for Grog for Clargy-17 shill. 6 PENCE
Many significant fact have we also gained
from our old men, whom we were early induced
for this purpose, to visit Or correspond with by
letter.
From one of the latter class, who has before
laid us under obligations of this kind, and whc
is now one Of the best depositaries of the know
ledge of the olden time, in the State, we have
recently received the following communication
which, though probably not expected by him, w
cannot forbear giving to our readers in his OWL
words, and without any alteration whatever:
HUNTINGTON, June 10, 1849.
Well, Friend Thompson:-I avail myself o
an opportunity of private conveyance, to dro
you a few lines, 10 let you know am yet in tn
land of the living, and chiefly for the purpose {
communicating sundry unconnected circumstar
ces in the traditionary history Of the earlier time
of our country, although do not know that the
are such as would be pertinent to weave into tn
tale of romance. shall only give them as
have heard them related by my father, in his life
time, and Others The first shall give, occur
red late in the autumn of 1885, on my father
farm, and near his house, and during the fir
year of commencing the settlement of the tow
At the time Of its occurrence, he had kept
couple of cows, and yoke of oxen, which ru
in the woods, and picked up such living as thes
fields of nature afforded. The oxen were onl
hired for use. Well, it CHANGED as my mothC
had Just finished milking the only one of Il
cows that then gave milk, and which had bee
yarded for the purpose, and was getting over Il
fence towards the house, she was startled by
| unusual commotion and believing among Il
f other cattle, which had now come up, and loo
ing to ascertain the cause, espied the black le
4 of an animal, which was all that was visible
. the huddle the cattle were making, which s.
=. knew must be bear. 1t was found that lar
r bear had seized upon one of the oxen by the t
Of the neck and the OK unable to shake him
e for the bear to master him, had dragg
i the bear some distance, to the enclosure near
is house. 1t had now got to be dusk, and my fat
l. or having returned from work, and ascertain
l. the stale of things, Immediately made prepal
. tons to shoot him. though it was some time I
lie fore the position of the enemy, surrounded as
was by the other cattle, tho other OK endeavc
in ing to beat him off would permit his doing
lr with safety 10 the OK. Meanwhile, the attack
s. and the grisly foe, had worked their way up
lis fore the very door Of the house, where the III
of the fire shining through the interstices of
lts logs, caused the bear to relnquish his hold,
k retire short distance, when father avaied h
- self of the opportunity thus afforded him to
Ids at him; but owing to its being dnsky, mis-
,u- him. Finally, Bruin finding himself foiled
his endeavor to make prey Of the OK, addet
on the finding new opponent onhand, retired f
at the field; and as my father aScertained, eros
i'm the river which runs a short distance from
re. house, and crouched OH the opposite banI
re Here it was resolved to watch for, and if pc
S Il BILE, dispatch him, lest he should return and
Mt. new his attack. The moon presently rising,
ex- abled one 10 distinguish the animal sufficie
me to venture to fire upon him, which was done
as which be was wounded, and bounding forw