The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-08-09

blood until it took root in the soil which cher
ished it, and has grown and spread until its !
branches extend from Maine to California, !
its blessings enrich continent, and its infu- |
ence is felt among the nations Of Europe. It |
had mighty struggle for existence, when Old |
King George had thought to reduce the people |
who gathered under it, to bondage; bat an
eight years wrestle demonstrated our right to |
Independence, and taught kings and rulers of |
the earth, that the descendants of those hardy |
puritans who had sought the wilderness of the |
earth that they might be free, were worthy |
scions of their noble sires, and able to protect
themselves; and King George, however ad-
verse he may have been to 90 doing, was oblig- !
ed to recognize our nationality. The Tree of
Liberty hourished, although at times encroach-
ed upon in q manner that made our blood boil |
and prepared us for another conflict Eng
land impressed our seamen and invaded the |
sanctuary of our flag, and our merchant mar
inc became a field as it were for spoils. We
demonstrated, but it did no good, and smart |
ing under the ineignity we flung to the breeze
the banner Of "Free Trade and Sailors
Rights" and the war Of 1872 resulted. Eng
land, disregarding the claims of civilized war
fare, descended to the meanness of employing |
savage foes, to scalp ond burn, upon our from |
tier, and add to the horrors of war by all the |
cruelties which their inhumanity could sug-
gest. In the course of their depredations |
these fair lands became the fields of their op-
erations. Yonder upon that hillside, stood |
little fort designed for the protection of the
settlers in this locality, and as check upon |
the inroads of the savages. It was garrisoned |
by 65 men, under the command of George |
Croghan. Rumors had reached their ears of
the advance of heavy force of British regu-
lars and Indians, under the notorious Proctor,
but the devoted band maintained their ground,
until on the morning Of the second of August,
ffty-nine years ago, when 500 British regulars
and 1900 Indians were massed against them.
Did they quail and heeS No! There they
stood as an sdamantine wall, and by their gal
lantry and devotion checked the onward
march of the murderous foe, and drove them
back to their Iairs, and the country was SPAR
ed from desolation by their bravery. 1t is fit
ting we should remember Fort Stevenson, and
Croghan's Victory, and it is fitting we should
meet here, year after year, and celebrate the
event which more than any other served to rid
this portion Of our country of wars horrors and
alarms. I was but boy when these things
occurred, but 1 can remember hearing my IA
ther read the accounts of the sufferings infict-
ed upon our borderers, and the thrill of pleas
ure it occasioned to know that the gallantry Of
Col. Croghan, had saved so many and so much
from desolation. And SO long as live hope
to see the people Of the county celebrating the
event in manner which will show their ap-
probation of the courage and devotion of that
little band.
The 4th of July is a national day of rejoicing
1t was the day upon which, may say, the Tree
of Liberty which the pilgrims of Plymouth
Rock planted blossomed out and gave promis-
of the fruit we now enjoy, and the whole ma
ton may well rejoice in it, and celebrate its
inception and perpetuity. But the victory of
Croghan was local success, whose fruits are
shared, it is true, by the whole nation, but to
US alone is its grandeur so apparent and well
appreciated. 1t is our local 4th of July, and
long may its memory remain heritage to our
children and their posterity, to be ftIy cele-
brated on each recurring second OF August.
The speaker closed by thanking the audience
for their kind attention
J. L. Carver, Esq, was next called for and
made some welI-tined remarks. After which
| 4l,s cvo,yd disDa-aad ,,DEjI aFto- 5;o,,a.
HOOK AND LADDER CONTEST.
The time fixed for the contest between the
Hook and Ladder Companies for the slOG
prize, was set down for 1-2 o'clock, but 8
trifing delay occurred in the start. The 4C
rods to be run were measured from Birchard
\ Avenue west to within short distance Of
/ Croghan, on Main street, both sides of whict
: were lined with people to witness the contest
3 The Buckeyes, of Bucyrus, were the first tt
l run, and came down the track in splendid
9 style, raised their ladder, ard had their mar
q at the top in 81 seconds.
t The Red Rovers, of Elyris, made the mex
run, but were not quite as lively as the Buck
eyes,-time 80 seconds.
The Empires, of Oberln, then came to tht
scratch, made q fine run, but fell short of tn
Buckeyes time one second. Time SO seconds
Then came the Dreadnaughts, of Findlay
: a fine looking company, which many though
would bear off the prize, but their time wa
: 80 IA seconds.
The Unions, of Tifin came last, but faileC
to make as good a run as any of their compel
: itors. The company was short in its compile
? ment of men, to which perhaps is owing tn
fact that they were not up to their record
Time AZ seconds.
G. H. Bell and c. G. Greene, acted a
judges, and awarded the prize to the Buck
i eyes. 1t was presented by J. L. Carver, Esq.
in neat speech. The Buckeyes have mad
the best time on record, and now hold tn
= = champion Ladder" won at the Tif6n Tourn
= ament.
After the Tournament, the Calathumpian
= = made their appearance. Burnt cork did it
share in transforming some of the young mel
i = into Calathumpians. They were ranged on
platform constructed upon wagon. whic
was drawn about by horses. The young me-
were supplied with the weapons of minstrelsy
. and entertained the crowd, at different points
by singing and playing. The days entertain
ment closed with salute from the "oId can
non," and music by the different bands.
y About 4 o'clock, game of base ball CON
= menced on the Croghan grounds. between tn
= Invincibles, of Toledo, and Croghans, of thi
city. The Invincibles did not sustain ths
4 character in the contest, as they were beate
in by a score of 4S to 81.
IN THE RvENINa.
# The arrangements for display of firt
20 works in the Park had been carefully mad
and an interesting time was expected Br
- the rain coming up in the evening sadly inte,
fered, and rendered q postponement until Sa
a urday evening necessary. The display WI
one of the finest ever presented to our citizen
The ball at Mammoth Hall was largely a
/ tended and passed off pleasantly, the Mohawl
= doing their best to make the stay of the visi
- ing companies pleasant and agreeable, ar
: they in turn unite in thanking the fremen 81
= citizens for the manner in which they were el
tertained while in the city.
:. Taking into consideration the short time Il
Committee had to make arrangements for t
celebration, it was a most decided success, al
= they are entitled to thanks for their eficienC
es,
in List of Letters remaining in the FremO
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