The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-01-31

the ail-wise Providence TO awaken the at
tention ofthis community 10 lively sense
Of the great injustice Of the present sys-
ofland-ownership, by the laws Of this State,
permitting individuals to hold large tracts
OF land for which they have never rendered
any equivalent to the State or nation; and
whereas, the happiness and prosperity of
this aud future generations depend in n
great measure upon our exertions to blot
from our statute-book the last relics of feu.
dalism; we, therefore, in imitation Of our
patriotic fathers who signed the Declare
Of Independence aud the better 10 accom-.
plish our freedom, do adopt the following
constitution, and solemnly pledge our
honor to abide by the articles therein con.
tained. " Then the Taghkanics pledged
themselves to use "all lawful and honora-
bic means to rid themselves Of their unjust
burdens, and that they would neither make
nor accept any proposition from any per
son claiming land under the Livingston
patents, for the payment Of rent OF the
purchase Of the coil, without the consent
Of majority of the association" Allied
with this association was an organization
Of the tenants into tribes Of "Indians,
under the direction Of chiefs "Big Thun-
der" (Dr. Smith A. Bough.on) and Little
Thunder" { Mortimer G. Belding, } of Rens-
seiaer county whose special object was to
forcibly resist by every means the officers
Of the county in the discharge Of their
duties when eVicting tenants. The first
gathering Of the "Indians" in the town of
Taghkanic occurred in the month Of No
vember, 1874. 1t is not possible 10 give
any description which would convey an ac-
cura'e idea Of their ridiculous yet hideous
appearance. Every species Of disguise
had been adopted which would most sue
cessfully prevent recognition. All wore
uniforms Of calico to which were added
the skins and tails Of various beasts, horns
and feathers, tin ornaments aud other
decorations, according TO the fancy Of the
"native." The faces Of some were Gov
cred with masks Of calico, others black
ened, others painted red; and their arms
were as varied as their disguises as
guns, pistols, hatchets, spears and clubs
all carried without any attempt at unifor-
nifty. After short drill by their chiefs
they would be openly marched around for
the benefit Of the sympathizing spectators,
to the inspiring strains Of "Dan Tucker
a negro melody of that era-played upon
a single fife, accompanied by small drum
and were then addressed by Big Thunder, >
who would dwell upon their wrongs, the
justice Of their cause, couuselling them tC
stand firm to their motto, Down with tn,
rents" and resist any attempt to collect i
by the strong arm Of the law; to all o
which the "Indians" would respond by
whoopiug Of the genuine sort aud terri
BILE brandishing of weapons. After thi
speech song would be sung, the choru
Of which ran as follows and was addresse,
to the sheriff Of the county:
Git out Of the way, big Bill Snyder
Wen tar your coat and feather your hide sir,
On the 18th day Of December, 1874
the first forcible resistance to the Sherl
was offered in the town Of Copake, wher
he attempted to serve processes and max
sale Of property belonging to disafecie
parties. II was deemed advisable that h
should undertake the duty without an &c
companying posse or military force, an
he proceeded to the spot with but singl
companion. On their approach picket
were discovered stationed along the road
and upon arriving at Copake they wer
met by force Of 300 Indians and
coucourse Of about fifteen hundred peopl
! not in disguise. The Sheriff was take
! into a room of public house 10 the vicir
ity by "Big Thunder" and six othe
! chiefs-all disguised-who stated that h
would not be permitted TO proceed in tn
, discharge Of his duties. Swords wer
| drawn, pistols placed at his breast and b
! papers demanded These were given /
them, aud were soon after burned in Ii
presence Of the huzzaing crowd.
The return Of the Sheriff and the repoI
Of his reception produced the most intcns
excitement in Hudson City. 1t was ey
dent that force would have TO b. met b
! force aud general determination wa
manifested upon the part Of the eonserv.
tive citizens TO uphold aud yindicate tn
law at any sacrifice
, On the 18th day Of December aBi
Thunder" was advertised to address
meeting Of the tenants Of the lands undo
the Van Rensselaer, title at Smoky Hollow
in the town Of Clayerack, The fame {
the 'orator Of the day" and the curiosit
to see the "Indians' drew together an in
mense coneourse fpeople. The "indiaas
appeared in force and during their antics
young man among the spectators by IN
name Of W. Ii. Rifenburgh was killed b
the firing Of pistol, whether intentionalI
or not could never be clearly establishe,
News Of the occurrence being received i
Hudson City, upon consultation the Sheri
determined to proceed to the spot aud
tempt the arrest of "Big Thunder" NJ
Joseph ID. Monell---a relative Of the lai
Judge Mcneil, Of this eity--volunteere
aud was the only individual who accou
panied the Sheriff. They reached Smok
Hollow towards evening after the meetin
had broken up and most Of the "Indiaus
had laid aside their disguiscs. aBig Thur
der" was found sitting very unconeernedl
in conversation with several individuals. /
back room Of the tavern, and was viii
out much ceremony made prisoner by Ii
Sheriff. He offered no resistance mt
he reached the front door, where. su,
rounded by number of his followers. h
drew his pistol and attempted an escap,
and would have succeeded but for the II
trepidity of Mr.. John S. Anable ard d.
putty Sheriff Thomas Sedgevick, who wer
present at the time. During a sever
struggle, in which the clothing of the p.,
ties suffered, he was oyerpowered and q
cured. "Little Thunder was also ARE,
ted and with his fellow-chief brought h
aud confined IN jail. Upon their srriyu
In Hudson City, the county scat of Co
lumbia county, they were followed to priso
BY al immense crowd, who gave ven
to their feelings Of sympathy ia n
most vocifefoas cheers. 0n the dav foI
lowing an examination was commence
before Justices Wilcoxson and Peck al Il,
Court House, conducted by Theodore Mi
Ter, then District Attorney, upon the pa,
Of the people, while Messrs. Henry y
aayner, Of Troy, and James Storm ar