The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-03-06
The Enthusiasm of other Days-An
Incident.

q a. WHICH, ilhHleilsS Z LtAtSatloii>- dtS'IAi-
panied with Bill Jackson's brass band,
a glee-club under George Brunner or
Harry Filler. and the cannon, under
command Of Uncle Billy Larue. we're
usually in attendance from this place to
supply the necessary eei0f- ThOrnville
waa point which il was essential to
thoroughly enthuse, and to this end,
special effort was made 10 render the
meeting which came off at that place in
June, 1852, particularly successful af-
fair. Early in the morning of the day
of this meeting, the boom of the cannon
on Market Square Hill, awoke the echoes
and aroused the sovereigns; the strains
of the band fioated through the village,
and made glad those who had the good
of the cause at heart. Soon the streets
were astir with horsemen, and vehicles
of all kinds, filled with people; the pro-
cession formed, and, headed by the band,
moved down Main street on It's way to
Thornville. Occasional salutes from the
cannon, served to arouse the country
and notify those who we're left behind,
as we'll as those who were in anticipation
of its coming, that the pageant was en-
route.
Arrived at Thornville. and passing
through the usual reception ceremonies,
the meeting was organized, and proceed
ed to business. John H. O'Neil was the
principal orator, and his eloquent ap-
peals effected good work,-and, upon
the whole, the meeting was a great sue
cess-a much larger amount of stock be-
ing subscribed than was expected. But
the return of the delegation-that was
the interesting feature Of this eventful
occasion.
1t must be borne in mind that whisky
was very plentiful, and awfully cheap,
in those days. And the Somerset dele
CATION had laid in large amount to re-
lieve the monotony of. the return trip.
In going out of Thornville, the cannon,
which usually kept a short distance in
advance of the delegation, met with
some mi~hap, which necessttated half
for repairs of a quarter or half hour, the
delegation, in the meantime, pursuing
were, unmindful of the disabled field
piece in the rear. Dusk had come down
upOn the surroundings, and dimmed the
landscape, by the time the delegation
had reached the foot of a hill few
miles north of town, and halt was then
made-perhaps to inspect TASKS. Dur
ing the halt, a rumbling sound was heard
in the distance, as of an approaching
storm. Nearer it came, and louder. it
grew, until above the roar was heard the
command of Uncle Billy. There were
riding the off horse and Bill Mckinney
the "near" lead horse. At once the sit
uation flashed upon the minds Of all
Uncle Billy was going to ride through
the delegation, or over it, if necessary,
and regain his position of honor. As
may be imagined, great alarm and ex-
citement ensued. But there was no
time to lose, if disastrous collision was
to he avoided. Reaching the brow of
the hill overlooking the halting delega-
tion, and coming with frightful speed,
Uncle Billy loudly called, "Clear the
track or I'll cut every id obstruction
| from the crown to the crotch"' The
widest confusion prevailed in the dele
gation-wagons, buggies, horses and men
were mixed up in an apparently inextri-
cable tangle, all hands vainly struggling
to escape the impending calamity
Again Uncle Billy yelled, Clear the
track, or I'll cut you from the crown to
crotchr' Quickly, several men darted
out of the seething crowd and ran to
meet the cannon team, and check it, if
possible, before it plunged into the help
| less mass ahead. \ well-aimed blow
from whip-handle had the desired eff
feet. There WAS sudden clash, and the
horses doubled-up, and sat back on their
launches, and great calamity was
averted. Uncle Billy, overfowing with
military enthusiasm, lit will be remem-
bered that his great favorite, General
Scott. was a candidate for the Presidency
that year. gesticulated and declaimed
wildly, and row became imminent; but
better counsels prevailed-the road was
cleared, and the cannon passed like a
small whirlwind to the front-U ncle
Billy standing in his stirrups and swing
ing his cane as he swept by.
On Market Square Hill, salute was
fired to signal the return of the delega-
ton Boniires and torches were burn
ing in the streets, and the people who
remained at home, were anxiously await
ing the coming of the pageant As the
| head of the procession turned the corn
/ er of Market Square, the band struck up
the familiar strains of the ''Shepherd's :
Quickstep," the chief marshal-Dr. Ma
! gruder, we believe-and staff, riding
pensively at the head of the column,
graciouslv smiled occasionally upon the
welcoming multitude in the streets.
Now, if some such enthusiasm as
characterized the efforts of the men OF
'52, could be infused into our local actors
of the present day much might be accom-
plishel for the benefit of the town and
vicinity. Time has developed many ad-
vantages and opportunities which were
unknown to the participants in the
above mentioned transaction.
EDITOR Press: l notice in your is
sue of Friday last, an article IN the re
gard to the old gong. Now in reply,
, 4 will just say any one who has any mon
ey in the bell that he can get it with
interest by calling at the American