Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-02-25
Matthew Lyon.
ny JAMES PARTON.


called, OF Philadelphia, in the spring OF
1907, when the news arrived that Matthew
Lyon, wild Irlshman OF Vermont, had
been elected member of the House oil
Representatives, and was coming in June
TO take his scat at the extra session of Con-
gress. Nothing was alleged against the
new member except that lie made his way
from poor emigrant-boy, 10 wealth and
influence in his adopted country. He was
announced in one OF the Federalist papers
OF Philadelphia, in the manner following /:
Tomorrow morning, at eleven o'clock,
will be exposed to view the Lyon of Ver-
mont. This singular animal is said to have
been caught in the bogs OF Hibernia, and
when a whelp transported 10 America. He
| differs considerably from the African Lion |:
he is more 0lamorous and less magnani-
| nous. His pelt resembles more the wolf
or tiger, and bis gestures bear remarka-
bic affinity 10 the bear. He was brought
TO this city in wagon. Many gentlemen
| who have seen him do not hesitate to de-
clare that they think him most extraor-
dinary beast.
A welcome like that was not likely to
mollfy the irascible Irish blood that ran in
the veins of this Vermont Democrat. 1t
was true that Matthew Lyon had come
from ireland, a child nine years of age,
without penny and without a friend, and
that his time till he should be OF age, was
sold TO pay his passage, according to the
custom OF that early day. The price paid
for him was said to be pair of three-year-
old stays. His master took him 10 Ver-
mont, where he served out his time faith
fully, and by attending winter schools, OBJ
tained tolerable education.
When the war of the Revolution began,
he joined the army as private, and was
| promoted to the rank of a corporal almost
Immediately. But while he was on post in
Northern New York, under the command
of Gen. Gates, the men OF the company be-
came tired of the idle life of the winter
camp, and went home for holiday. The
officers followed them. Amer spending a
while at home most Of them returned to
their posts; but nothing would content
Geut Gates short of cashiering the officers,
our corporal among them. Lyon not be-
ing one to stay cashiered, he stated the
facts 10 Gen. st. Clair, who reinslated him,
and he was appointed ty Gen. Schuyler TO
reglmental paymastership. The war
over, he founded the village Of Farhaven,
in Vermont, in which there was an excel
lent water power, and where he became
business man OF the true pioneer type.
There was iron in the neighborhood. He
set men TO digging il; lie established
smelling furnace; he cast hollow-w ware he
made fiatirons, spiders, kettles, bake-pans,
dishes and griddles. He set up paper
mil nd ha faIl lipl, n
weekly paper, called by himself the Far
mer'S Library, but quoted Ivy bis enemies
as though he had named it, The Scourge of
Aristocrscy and Repository of Important
Political Truth. lie built saw-mill, the
largest in the stale, and near by it he man
| ufactured nails. Finding the material for
his paper-mill difficult TO get, lie invented
process for making paper out Of bass
wood bark. His labors were so valuable
10 the community that the legislature Of
Vermont gave him authority to raise six
hundred bushels of wheat by lottery, to
enable him 10 enlarge his furnace and pro-
duce greater variety of ironware.
He married the Governors daughter,
and was held in esteem and admiration by
the people among whom he lived, and
whose interests he promoted.
What moro natural, what more proper,
than that his neighbors who knew him,
and had been served by him, should elect
him TO represent them in Congress? They
did so, and he took his seat. He was then
finy-two years of age, well-looking, of dec
orous department, and competent to take
his share in national legislation.
In the course Of his first regular session
he became suddenly the most notorious
person OIL the Western continent. He was
standing outside the bar of the House one
day, surrounded by members, when Roger
| Griswold, a representative OF Cincinnati,
almost young enough 10 be Lyons son,
made an insulting allusion 10 the cashier
ing by Gen. Gates, which he intimated was
for cowardice on the field. Matthew Lyon
unfortunately lost his sel.-control, and spat
in Grswold's face. Instantly all was up
roar and confusion. 1t was the first time
that any breach of decorum had occurred
in the Congress OF tho young nation, and
every good citizen, whether democratic or
federalist, could but deplore the event. A
motion 10 expel the offending member was
promptly introduced. Lyon tho same eve
ming wrote a letter TO the speaker, declar-
| ing that he had meant no discredit to the
House, which the Speaker publicly read
on the following morning. The debate on
the question lasted twelve days, during
which il excited a universal and passion
ate interest. When at length the vote was
taken, there were thirty-two votes for ex-
pulsion to forty-four against. AS men,
Der could not be expelled except by two
thirds vote, Matthew Lyon retained his
seat.
Bot, 1t seems, The gross iDdignity ram
kled in the breast of Roger Grlswold, who
was a man OF education and distinguished
lineage. -Four days afler the failure to ex-
pei, while Lyon was sitting on his seat
with his hat of, writing, Griswold came
up TO him and assaulted him, just as
Brooks allerwaId assaulted Mr.. Sumner,
by striking him over the head and shoul-
ders with hickory cane. Lyon, entan-
| gled by the desk and chairs, was some
time in getting TO an open space. He seiz-
ed the longs and rushed upon his foe.
Soon the belligerents dropped their weap-
ons, cllnched, fell to the floor, and enjoyed
for short time good rough and tumble
fight, until they were pulled apart by their
fellow members.
But even this was not the end of il. A
few minutes after, while Griswold was
standing in a corner of the room, Lyon
came near with a cane in his hand, but
without any intention 10 renew the strug-
gle. AS soon as their eyes met their fury
was rekindled, and Lyon assaulted Girls
wold with great violence. He had struck