The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-10-23

ground. But the best of the thing was
this: didn' see big panther which
was on q bluff behind me, and as 1
shot, the cuss jumped for me, only to
meet the but of my gun, which was
going his way, and the ugly varmint
fell dead with his skull crushed in by
the gun stock. WhitehaU Times.
The Chase Of Old IrOnsides.
have been much entertained by an
article in the Salem Observer of July IL,
on the old shop-keepers of Salem, most
or all of whom remember. The writer
of it, in his notice of Amos Hovey,
Major-General of Massachusetts Mill
tia in 1918, who certainly always looked
the gentleman in his shop and the Off
Ger on parade, refers to the escape of
the Constitution frigate, chased into
by two British frigates. As
I have a vivid recollection of some in
cidents connected with this affair which
may be interesting, give them to you
to dispose of as you see fit. Twas then
nine years old, living at the foot of
Daniels street, below Derby street. On
q Sunday, soon after dinner, which was
probably on that day at noon, Mr.. Rob-
ert Stone, one of my fathers partners
in business, came in and said that a
ship had been chased into Marblehead
by the enemy's squadron, then block
aiding the bay, and it would be well to
know about it. The family horse and
two-wheeled chaise were brought out,
and at my earnest request / was per-
mitted to occupy a small cricket placed
on its floor. We drove up Essex street,
through Central, over the bridge to
South Salem, and when half way up
the hill at its end saw q man approach
ing on horseback at speed, who, on see
ing and recognizing us, pulled up has,
tily and said: The frigate Constitu-
ton has been chased into Marblehead;
we mean to defend her, and we want
all the men and all the guns you can
send US. am the chairman of the Sc
lectmen. Will you take charge of the
message to the authorities, and do what
you can for usP must go back" The
proper assurances were given, the chaise
was turned, and we drove directly to
General Hovey;s house on Essex street,
and next east of the Franklin building.
NY father went into the yard to the
front door, and saw the General come
out to receive him. Mr.. Stone, whose
house was directly opposite his, went
to inform his family. and was left in
charge of the horse. They both returned
almost instantly. The General asked a
few questions, naturally, as to the best
course to be pursued. The reply was:
" You will do as you think fit; we will
see to sending what they want, both
guns and men,
William Manning's stage stable,
filed with the best stage teams
in New England, was just round
the corner, on Union street, opposite
your then printing Office. Fortunately,
it being Sunday, the horses were all in,
and fresh. Manning was standing un-
der the old elm tree. No words were
wasted. ''Send all your horses, with
harness and drivers for four or six
horse teams, to the clubhouse on the
Neck. The Constitution is chased into
Marblehead." "They shall be there, -
was the reply. We drove on through
Derby street to my grandfather 8 house,
which stood where now stands the GUS
tOm-house. They wished to find, and
they did find, George Crowninshield,
the Ajax lebanon in every deed of dar-
ing, whether it was to rescue people
from flood or fire, to GO through town
meeting, fight for his country's flag, OF
as he afterwards did, in person or at
his own expense-to bring from Hall
fax the bodies of Lawrence and Lud-
low, after the loss of the ill-fated Ches-
apeake. They all then went directly to
the Neck, but, much to my disgust, l
was discharged, with my cricket, at
Daniels street, with directions to tell
my mother the news. 1t spread rapid
ly, the streets were soon filed with
people, and in about an hour saw the
first gun, think an eighteen-pounder,
with six fast horses on the run, go
through Derby street, with George
Crowninshield upon it. There had
been some delay in getting at the guns,
and afterward in fitting the harness.
The clubhouse was brick structure.
then recently built, just inside the
Neck gate, on the left-hand side, and,
with the guns, belonged to the United
States. The heavy oak doors were Sc
cured by lock and bars; but opposite
was ship-yard, and soon q heavy
stick of timber, by the united efforts of
sailors and mechanics under the direc-
ton of the person named above. was
advancing to force an entrance. Mr..
ocOho WIN AuOs many yCoAS oAbcI w oIu,
that just as the assault was to be made,
he said: Captain George wait min
ute. You are under bonds to keep the
peace-let me give the order" Itwas
given, and the doors went in. saw
several of these heavy guns pass by for
Marblehead, and remember, an hour
or more after the rest, one drawn by a
yoke Of oxen on its slow and winding
xuo ThSo hox La
spoken of in the Observer.
OF what took place in the other parts
OF the town know nothing. The two
gentlemen first spoken Of drove direct.
ly to Marblehead, were in the fort and
Crowninshield came round in her to Sa-
lem, where she was brought for further
safety, offering his services as pilot. but
of course regular pilots were in charge.
l was on the Neck, which was full OF
people that evening, to see her come
into the harbor. 1t was q matter OF
could come. She kept well over on the
Marblehead shore to hold the deep
water, and came to. to let go her an
chors, when nearly ahead of the
Crowninshield wharf.
Great excitement prevailed at Mar.
blehead, and especially in the fort, on
seeing three frigates approach the har
Dor, and there was an apprehension
that they were all enemies-the chase
"playing possum." The Constitution's
ensign did not blow out, the wind being
aft and light. As she came abreast Ol
the fort its guns were brought to beal
on her, when q sailor was seen to as
cend the rigging, lay out on the mizzer
peak, and clear the stars and stripes
from the sail. Then a shout, which
rang through all the ships, went up
from the shore, and the Constitution
was safe. A large portion of her crew
were Marblehead men. The Constitu-
ton remained one day in Salem harbor,
and q public ball was given to Captain