St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-11-27
HISTORIC WALPOLE.
A New Hampshire Town With . Remark.
ably Interesting History.

/
A New Hampshire Town with . Remark
ably Interesting History.
Two important events have given
this part of the Connecticut valley an
almost pre-eminent interest for the
historical student, writes q Walpole
IN. H.) correspondent, and. indeed,
there are few ears so dull that they do
not tingle at the tales that are told oi
what was done here. In the old Wal
pole burying- ground the visitor is shown
a tombstone on which is engraved the
following: In memory of John Kill
bourn. who departed this life April 8,
1879, in the S5th year of his age He
was the first settler of the town in
l749."
During the French and Indian war
a scheme was concocted in Canada in
accordance with which band of some
four hundred savages was sent forth
to destroy all the white settlements on
the Connecticut river. On the 18th Of
August, 1855. the Indians attacked the
cabin OF John Kilbourn. Walpole was
then nearly, if not quite. the highest
point on the river where settlements of
white men had been established, and the
kilbourn place, although no longer the
only civilized habitation in the vicinity,
was too far from any other to make
it possible for the family to receive
either warning or assistance. Happily,
all the inmates of the cabin were at
home. But what a situation it was!
The white people were just six in num-
ber: John Kilbourn, Sr.. his son John,
eighteen years old, a hired man and
his son, and Mrs. Kilbourn with =
maiden daughter. And four hundred
bloodthirsty. well-armed savages deter
mined on their destruction! The leader
of the Indians was a gigantic creature
named Phillip, who had visited the Kill
bourns repeatedly under the pretense
of friendship. and had learned both the
language and the condition of the
family. Before beginning the attack
he called out: "Big John and little
John, come out and we will give you
quarter" To which Kilbourn replied:
go away you rascals, or we will
quarter YOU The attack began about
noon and continued until sundown.
when the savages. totally defeated and
large numbers of their companions
slain. went away, never to return
Within the cabin there was but one
killed, Mr.. Peak. the hired man.
The project of ravaging the valley of
the Connecticut was at once abandoned.
During the terrible conflict the women
loaded the muskets for the m IN to fire;
and when the supply of bullets gave
out the women hung up blankets in
such way as to catch the bullets which
the Indians fired into the roof; and these
they melted and run into molds for new
supply. To show that the number of
the savages was not exaggerated. it is
on record that when they were creep
ing. one by one. to the point chosen
for attack, one hundred and ninety
seven were counted by the beleaguered
garrison. and body evidently as large
remained in ambush as reserve.
Mrs. w. G. Barnette. the wife of "A lead
ing citizen of Walpole. is the great
great granddaughter of this John Kill
bourn, Sr.
The other notable event was nothing
ess than what the folks here claim was
he spilling OF the first blood shed in
he Revolution. This was not. indeed,
n Walpolc. N. H.. but in Westminster,
Vt. on the opposite side of the river.
It was in March. 1775. few weeks be-
ore the battle of Lexington. The royal
,fficers were holding court for the en-
orcement of some of the obnoxious |
British acts; and so great was the popu-
ar disaffection that considerable |
of royalist troops had been
tent as guard. At ten o'clock in the
vening, while the officers of the court
we're absent taking supper, and the
,uard was off its guard. . well-armed
nd determined band of citizens took
of the courthouse, and, on
he return of the judge and sheriff, re-
used to admit them. The troops were
and fierce struggle ensued
'ictory remained with the friends of
liberty; and the officers of the crown
led across the Connecticut. However.
me of the patriots was killed. His
'ody lies buried in the ancient cemetery,
nd on the moss-covered stone which
marks the spot the epitaph may still be
Here William French his body lies.
His blood to God for vengence cries.
They with a bawl his head shot through.
For liberty. his country's good.
He lost his life, his dearest blood.
-BOStoy% dIuertiser |