The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-08-08


Revolution, are left to garrison the
place. but the heavy earthworks which
surround it viii remain for ages. Half
a mile away, across the broad parade
ground stands the old barracks and
quarters which were occupied by the
famous regiment of Buffers Rangers,
and ON the inside Of the old st. Marks
Church, is the following memorial of
their leader:
FEAR GOD; HONOR FHE RING"
"Col. John Butler, his Majestys
commissioner of Indian affairs; born in
New London, Province of Connecticut,
172S His life was spent honorably in
the service of the Crown. In the war
with France for the conquest, he was
distinguished at the battle of Lake
George, sth Sept, 1755, and at the siege
Of Fort Niagara, and its capitulation,
25th July, 1853, In the war of 177G, he
| took arms i'm the defence of the unity
Of the Empire, and raised and COM
manded the loyal American regiment of
Butler's Rangers; died here 179G"
And on another tablet in the same
church is this: "Lenerd Blauck, Dc
ceased Aug't. 1882" Among the
many peculiar old stones in the ceme-
terry near the church, are seen two anci-
ent looking English slabs, bearing the
names Of Charles Morrison and George
Forsyth, which were used by the Ameri-
cans in 1912 for meat blocks, stfll wear
the marks of the axes, as if they had
been cut there but yesterday. In this
town the first provincial Parliament of
! Upper Canada met ON the 18th of Sept,
1872, in the 32nd year of the reign of
King George III,
But perhaps the most interesting and
important spot in the vicinity of this
place, is Fort Niagara, standing on the
American point just across the river
a part of the 18th U. S. infantry are
stationed here, and one would hardly
suspect from the good condition Of the
place, that this was one of the oldest
forts on the American continent. With
in the main enclosure are five strong
stone buildings, the foundations of
which were probably built by the French
Jesuits, early in the 18th century.
American history tells us that as early
as 1888, posts had been established at
| Frontenac, Niagara, at the Straits of
Mackinaw, and on the Illinois river, and
by some of the residents here it is
claimed that the building called the
Castle, is the oldest French structure in
America. think it hardly safe to con-
slider this as authentic history, but we
need not depend on legendary state
ments for the proof of Fort Niagara s
antiquity.
In the building now used as maya
zine, is seen the cell where the Masonic
traitor, Morgan, was confined before be-
ing drowned in the river. Beneath all
of the older buildings are found these
strange gloomy dungeons, and as
groped about through their dark and
musty vaults, all of the thrilling sensa-
tions which felt when boy, in read
ing the old legends of Westphalia, came
back to me.
The most prominent defect which the
aesthetic Oscar Wilde found in the
"beautiful' of America, was the alb
sence Of historic ruins. But only give
us the daring muse of a Scott or Byron
to tuln loose among these modern
haunts of Clio, and by an instantaneous
process we will reveal to the world new
but enduring classic ground.
Among the smoky records of the fort
found letters and courtmartial orders
signed by Winfield Scott during the
war of 1912, also letters from Commo-
dore Perry.
In the burying ground of the fort are
very many ancient stones, whose quaint
Inscriptions in French, German and
English are within themselves volumes
of history. The following, though of
no great antiquity, or rhetorical ele-
gance, is very expressive of soldierly re-
spect:
Erected to the memory of Sir Amasa
Snow, who departed this life at Fort
Niagara, the 18th of April, 1929, by his
brother soldiers, Co. |, Ind Regt., U, S.
Infantry"
Here lies brave Snow
| Full six feet deep,
| Whose heart would melt
When caused TO weep.
| Though winters blast,
| May freeze his frame
Yet deaths cold grasp
Can't chill his lralne,"
Near this grave is very old stone
with the simple inscription Paul Nor
ris, U, S. Army" and another to the
memory of veteran of Waterloo. AT a
very early hour yesterday morning was
attracted by the clear strong voice of an
old Scotchman talking in the rooms be-
low, "Seventy-two years ago." said he,
IL went with the British to burn Buffa-
10, and to-day am going up there
again"
l rushed down to the room, and was
introduced to Col. Duncan MacFarland,
robust old soldier of eighty-siX years,
but having the appearance OF man of
fifty. In response to my hasty ques-
tions, he handed me heavy cane, which
he carried, saying, "Right there is a
relic for you; that cane was presented
to me by General Wolseley when he
came here in disguise in 1866, to quiet
the Fenians. He was only Col. then,
but suppose he's the greatest man in
England now; yes, that cane is a charmed
holly, and will kill all the snakes and
toads in the province; And here's an
other relic" he continued, holding up
his hand, which showed the deep fur
row of a musket ball; There's a
Vanlyaa oar marlr b,tt I oot thraa of