The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-04-08
Tho Boston Elm.
DESTRUCTION OF THB MOST ANCIENT
LANDMARK OF THE MASSACHU-
SETS COLONY.

Tho pride of Boston Common, and
probably the most ancient historical
landmark of that city, the Old Elm,
which has lowered over the Trimoun-
tain Peninsula since an earlier period
than the memory of white man compre-
hcnds, was totally destroyed by the gale
of Tuesday, February 18th. All day
long the ancient tree had wrestled with
the tornado, but shortly after seven IN
the evening its overstrained sinews gave
way. and the Old Elm, breaking OFF
bodily at the level of the ground, fell,
u mass of splintered fragments. The
affection in which the tree was held by
the citizens of Boston was well shown
by the eagerness displayed for obtain
ing portions of its venerable trunk and
limbs. to be preserved as souvenirs. AS
soon as the news of its fall had spread
in the city, all the thoroughfares leading
to the common were speedily crowded
with men fastening to the sceno OF the
catastrophe, and knives, saws and hatch
cts were soon in active operation. There
will probably be q vast number OF walk
ing-sticks, rustic chairs and parlor or
naments, hailing from the Boston Elm,
offered for sale during the year as Cen
tennial tokens. But the city authorities
interfered before the wreck had been
wholly carried away, and guard OF po-
lice was stationed. ut the spot to protect
what was left from the further depreda-
tions of enthusiastic relic-huntcrs. The
tree was very rotten, and its huge hoi-
low trunk. living on its side, presented
the nprcarancc of an immense sewer
pipe.
Numerous historical, rs well as ira
ditional. associations clustered about
the Boston Elm. The Hancock family
claim that the tree was set out, small
sapling, by one of their ancestors, about
two hundred years ago. The number
of rings, however, counted on one OF
the branches blown off in 1869, showed
that the parent stem was considerably
more than two centuries old. Other
traditions assert the Elm to have served
as the gallows on which witches were
hung in 1856 and 1863, which considera-
bly, antedates the Hancock claim. In
tho early days of the Massachusetts,
Colony, the tree was used as place OF
execution, and under its shade was ex-
plated. in 1876, tho first murder COM
United in that community, the offender,
an Indian, being shot to death. The
same shady retreat was also occasionally
used as dueling-ground, it being some
what difficult of access on account OF
surrounding swamp. 1t was not until
1880 hat this wet place was drained and
filed up, and the Old Elm made availa-
BILE to visitors At the beginning OF the
Revolutionary struggle, just a century
ago, the Old Elm was o place OF secret
meeting OF the Sons of Liberty. No
particular events. however, of that STIR
ring period are directly associated
with it. 1t was then too far removed
from the usual busy resorts OF the
patriots, to become common rallying-
place. Three times before the final ca
tastrophe the Old Elm was nearly de-
stroved by tho elements. In 1872 three
of its largest branches were cleft from
tho trunk but they were aftcrward
braced and bolted back i'll their original
places. In 1860 it was again dismom-
bered, when 1870 rings were counted on
one of the branches. In September,
1869, Il limb, measuring three and half
feet in circumference, was blown of.
And now, when preparations we're being
made to bcstow upon Its ancient frame
decorative honors in commemoratlon OF
the National Centennial, this old mon
arch of the primeval forest, ga visible
relic OF the Indian Shawmut,' has been
totally destroyed.
WAsHING-DAYs in the ollen times
were few ami far between, as were the
articles which required washing. The
assistance Of the dyer was much oftencr
called in than that OF the laundress.
During the middle ages IL linen shirt
was IL rarity, and Il matter OF congratu-
lation to its posscssor. Under-clothes
were worn by only Il limited few. the
wealthy people wearing velvets, tailcta,
and rich silks next to their bodies.
NiGht-dresses, as now used, had no OK
istence in those days; indeed, the pco-
pie oftcner slept without any clothes at
all. Anne Boleyn's night-dresses are
described us having been made of black
satin and velvet, while Queen Eliza
beths were of black velvet lined with
fur. Later these night-dresses were
called night-veils. Shirts were also
made OF colored silks, us were night
caps and other articles now composed OF
washing materials, which fashion made
the laundress' duty I'm exceedingly light
one.
BRITISH OpINIoNs.-The Pail Mall
Gazene says of the American girl in
England Like the wind, she goeth
where she listcth, but every man know
eth whence she cometh. She arouses
the hostility Of English matrons the
moment she sets foot on British soil.
Few of them are aware that she has
hcnn nllrnosnly trained to self-rclinnce