Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-02-20
OONNDOTIOUT's BLUE LAWS.
How Vlce-Presidens Aaron BUR-
and a Village Soho olmaster
Onca Evaded Them.

Once Evaded Them.
Among the many products OF Con-
necticut piety and thrift, says a New
Haven letter, perhaps the most widely
known are the celebrated code OF Blue
Laws and the far-famed wooden nut
meg. The nutmeg i~nsinuation may
possibly be dismissed rs the aspersion
OF rival states, but Of the actual exis-
tence OF q severe code OF laws in 8 not
very distant past there a be no
doubt. In a conversation on this sub
iect with an old timer the other day, 1
heard many "reminiscences OF tho time
when church and state went hand in
glove.
As the veterans story ran, the zenith
OF Blue Law activity was in tho neigh
borhood of 1920; but in the interval be-
tween the beginning of the century and
the time of Robert FultOn's invention
thore was 8 pretty lively enforcement
of the joint laws Of church and state.
Among the articles OF the code then in
vogue none were more strictly enforced
than the law prohibiting travel on Sun
day. Many q would-be dosecrator Of
the Puritan Sabbdth was accosted by
the tithing man while quietly pursuing
his travels on horseback or foot, and,
despite his protestations, Was com
pel!ed to then and there cease from his
worldly peregrinations for the time
being.
In 1903 Aaron Burr, then Vice.
President of the United States, vas
called from the seat Of government to
Boston in pursuance Of private bust
ness. AS was tho custom in those
days, and especially with the naughty
and aristocratic Burr, the Vice-Presi-
dent travelled in state and pomp. Six
horses drew his large and ponderous
barouche, and in advance of the turn
out q gorgeously apparelled outrider
heratocI his masters coming.
After tho completion Of his business
in Boston Burr hastily returned to this
city. arriving here late one Saturday
night. After a brief rest, he procured
fresh horses, and started for Now York
bright and early on Sunday morning.
At about ii o'clock the gay turnout,
with its liverisd attendants had reached
the centre of the little village OF Mil
ford, and was rapidly passing the old
Congregational church, ear the green,
when a slim but dignilied figure ap-
peared in the doorway Of the building.
Hastily taking a mental inventory of
the baroUche and it's appurtenances,
the owner of the Puri,Snic figure al
vanced to the middle of the road, and,
planting himself directly in the route
Of the team, loudly commanded it's
liveried coachman TO halt his horses.
Dumfoundered at tho strange com
mand and the stranger appearance of
the speaker, the coachman did as he
was told. Barr quickly thrust his head
from the side Of the carriage, and in a
sharp voice calculated:
"Sir, by what authority do you stop
my carriageP'
SPY authority of tho town of Mil
ford came the quick response. 81
ara Deacon Highly, tithing man, duly
appointed by the town authorities"
At this explanation Burr's features
relaxed the frown which was gather
ing, and the statesman pleasantly said
We'll, well, deacon. | honor you
for doing your duty but if | have vio-
lated any law Of this state, you must
report the matter to the United States
government. for l am Aaron Burr.
Wee President Of the United States"
Wit q stupefied glance at the speak
| or Inn VI a,nt,u tifhinv n mach in
al'v dOffsd his hat, aud with a rush
and rumbls Il Q Q ,u,page of the gov
erume Z iiSnitary resumed It's jour
ney.
But despite the law on this subject
OF Sunday travelling. all tithing men
were not SO jealous in the performance
Of their duties, and many a crossed
palm quietly authorized u violation of
the law. Other devices were frequent
ly resorted to by travellers who wished
to evade the law, Une of the most
common and at the same time eff ;ient
schemes being explained by the follow.
ing narratives:
In 1903 one Amos Phelps was a
school teacher in Manchester, at the
same time residing in a town some
IhilTS icthhG hutibS tHO WON tbc
schoOlmaster boarded out among his
pupils. but each Saturday he was wont
TO return on horseback to his own
home. One Saturday he was uhex-
pectedly delayed, but at an early hour
on Sunday morning he saddled his
Rozinante aud started for home, trust
ing to escape the vigilance of the sey-
eral tithing men on his route. He had
safely proceeded as far as Bolton when
to his dismsy. he was espied by good
Deacon Strong and formally com
m ,nded to stop in the village until the
following morning, when be might re-
sum, his journey. Fearing such an
encounter, the traveller had mufllsd his
face in his handkerchief, and. on hear
ing the Descon's orders, he hastily dis
mounted, and, grasping the officials
hand. exclaimed:
"Oh. sir, il you only will accommo-
do ta ma hara hava haan attackad