Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-04-07
"Reminiscences Of General starL-A
Hero without Nerves.

A correspondent the Manchester IN. H.
Mirror thus discourses on Gen. Stark:
The oldest OF our citizens, natives Of
Manchester, have very distinct recollec-
tions of the last years of General Stark's
life and relate many anecdotes aud incl
dents concerning him. He seems from his
boyhood to have been a noted and marked
character both in his own town and neigh
boring settlements, and as early as the
spring of 1852, when being only % years of
age, he was captured by the Indians and
taken 10 Canada, the tidings Of his fate
spread rapidly through the towns in this
vicinity. At Derry, when the news ar
rived, two of Stark's companions were en-
gagged in planting young elm tree a mile
below the town on the turnpike. The age
OF the tree has been kept by the incident
connected with its planting, and 1t Is now
understood 10 be in hale and hearty ma
turity and known by the name of "Stark's
Elm" What may have been the excel
Lenses or faults OF Stark's character, 1t
must be remembered that both we're modi-
fed by the surroundings, influences and
hardships of frontier life. He has left no
legacy of feuds TO tell of bitterness in
neighborly intercourse, but the uniform
testimony of his old townsmen is 10 the ef-
feet that his house was often open for social
parties and festive gatherings. On these
occasions General Stark was never hilari-
Gus, though his hospitality was sincere,
and he enjoyed his guests. 1t is even re-
lated of him that he was never known 10
show his emotions in word or expression
of face an old resident even averring that
he was neS err seen to laugh or shed tear.
On one occasion to test his strength Of
nerve, townsman offered to fire pistol
close behind his back while the general
was busy conversing. A party in theex-
pertinent agreed to watch the generals
face in front and report the result, and see
il he were startled or no. AS might have
been expected, there was no visible altera-
ton in his expression or manner, but he
turned very quietly TO see the cause OF the
explosion. He was quite as much noted
for vigor in the management Of his farm as
in the management OF troops, and could
never endure Incidence in any one who
had the strength and capacity to labor. At
the time of the arrival of the courier bring
ing news OF the battle of Lexington, Stark
was hard at work in his mill, taking ad-
vantage of the spring floods TO finish the
saving of logs drawn in The winter then
just past. This mill was Oh Ray brook,
near the site of the dam that produces
DORIS pond, aud the remains of it are still
discernible when the low water will admit.
Old settlers assert that the log LEFT half
sawed by Stark, as he mounted his horse
to beat up recruits, was never disturb ed
afterwards it decayed with the mill in the
eight long years of fighting that ended
with the surrender Of CORVALLIS. Stark 8
integrity and economy in government con-
tracts and the disbursements connected
with army supplies were never questioned
by patriot or tory. He sacrificed his pri-
vate interests and the enjoyments of do
nestle life through the revolution, with
out any hesitation, and encouraged the
same spirit in his sons. He was incapa-
BILE OF Discrimination, and even when blunt,
rough and eccentric, meant kindness
where his manner might belle his heart
He has left a record that will endure as
long as mankind admire the sterling quail
ties that made his life great and useful"