Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-11-18

: A correspondent of the New Y York Obser
er gives the following "reminiscences of j Oh
: Brown q farmer;
1t was about ten years ago that Brow
made his appearance as a farmer or catt
breeder in North EIba, one of the interior an
most secluded towns in Essex county an
Tereiag upon the vast wilderness of norther
4 New York. The ulnble farm of Brown
situated on an elevated and broad platea, en-
bosoned in the giant arms of the AdirondacS
No district of the State is more impressive b
the grandeur of its physical features, or ia
exquisite natural beauties The town is sep
arated from the outer world by barrier @
dark and lofty mountains. Although einb1ac
! ing territory equal TO that OF some countie!
its population does not exceed four hundrea
! souls
! North Elba was the scene of Gerrit Smith
abortive attempts at negro colonization.
| At the Agricultural Fair of Essex county
I for 1850, a great sensation was created by the
unlooked-for appearance on the grounds of a
beautiful herd of Devon cattle. They were
! the frst that had been exhibited at the county
| festival, and every one was surprised and de
lighted by the incident. The inquiry Was uni
versal, whose are these cattle and from whence
do they come? The surprise and excitement
was not diminished. when it was understood
that a certain John Brown was the owner, and
that he resided in the t1wn of North EIba-
The Report of the Society for that year con
tains the following reference to that event
1.-The appearance upon the grounds Of Il
number of very choice and beautiful Deyons.
r,,,,, IL, .fA Al IL.
one of our most remote and secluded towns. at
tracted great attention, and added much TO the
interest of the Fair. The interest and admi-
ration they excited have attracted public at
tention to the subject, and has already resulted
in the Introduction of several choice animals
into this region We have no doubt but that
this influence upon the character of the stock
of our county will be permanent and decisive
Trans. 1880, page 229.)
The writer of this article soon after opened
a correspondence with Brown in relation to
these cattle His reply is now before me. The
letter is written in d strong and vigorous hand
and by its orthography accurate punctuation,
and careful arrangement Of paragraphs, eyin
ces far more than ordinary taste and scholar
ship. | consider it remarkable not only for
the force and precision of the language, for
bushes letter, and for the distinctness Of its
statements, but equally for its sound sense and
honesty of representation. L think am not
wrong in the impression that an extract will
interest your readers, as illustrating the former
habits and pursuits Of IA man who has impress
sed an i'll onlened episode upon our national
history:
Your favor of the 30th Of September came I
on seasonably; but it vas during my absence |
in Ohio, 50 that could not reply sooner. In |
the first place, none Of my cattle are pure De
vons but mixture Of that and particu |
lar favorite stock from Connecticut, cross of
which I much sprefer TO English cattle, after
many years experience OF different breeds OF !
imported stock [ was several |
months in England last season, and saw no
one stock on any farm that would average bet |!
ter than my own, and would like TO have you
see them all together
Brown was at North E,lba during large
part of last summer. The small RENT ant OF /
his family still remain on the farm at thai |
place, ciusterinv aroune the hearth that has |
become SO fearfuiy bereaved and desolated.