Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-09-08
GENERAL PUTNAM.
A ShETCH OF ONE OF THE REyO.
LUTIONARY HEROES.
lous Escape From Indians
Military Services-Etc.

SIal 1Sfdcl uiHdI1, one OI Inc Conspicuous
figures in the war that secured to the
American Colonies their independence is
published in Newport (Vermont) paper /:
Among the many illustrious names on
the roll of fame of those who participated
III the war for independence none-with
one exception-shone with greater luster
or was more deserving of the respect and
lasting remembrance of the survivors of
that memorable struggle and their descend
ants, than that of General Israel Putnam.
The life and character of this Revolution
airy hero, in whom General Washington
reposed absolute confidence and who was
next in rank to the commander in chief,
could be studied with profit by every youth
in the land.
General Putnam was born in that por-
ton Of Salem which now constitutes the
town of Danyers, Mass, January 7, 171S.
The families of the early settlers were
large, and the subject of this sketch was
the eleventh in a family of twelve chill
dren. 1t is related that in his boyhood he
was noted for his physical strength and
bravery, but his literary advantages were
not great, nor were the few he possessed
very zealously improved. On reaching
his majority he removed to Pomfret, Conn,
where he engaged in farming amid the
toll, perils and disappointment that beset
pioneer life in that region century and
half ago.
of the dangers that surrounded the tiller
of the soil in those days none threatened
greater destruction to both man and brute
than the menace from the wild beasts of
the forests. Sheepfolds were devastated,
Putnam himself losing in one night sew
enty sheep and goats from his focks. At
length these pests, by their continued raw
ages of property, became an intolerable
nuisance, and Putnam determined to ex-
terminate them. 1t was during his efforts
in this regard that the famous encounter
with the she wolf occurred which made
the name of Putnam at once we'll known
throughout the country. This animal had
long been the terror of the community and
had done vast amount of damage. A
strong party of the residents at last re-
solved TO capture the wolf, at whatever
sacrifice. The wolf led the hunters to the
Connecticut river, forty miles, and back,
and sought refuge in den, from which all
attempts at dislodgement failed. They
tried to sutfocate the animal by burning
sulphur, straw and brushwood, but of no
avail. Dogs were repeatedly sent into the
cave, and returned howling piteously with
pain. Finally Putnam declared his pur-
pose TO destroy the beast at whatever cost.
The cavern was about two feet square at
the mouth and thirty or forty feet in
depth. The capture of the wolf is de-
scrlbed as follows:
Providing himself with torch of
birch bark, and stripping off his coat and
vest, Putnam next fastened i rope about
his legs, in order that he might be drawn
out at given signal, and crep slowly in
until he discoverd at the further extrem-
ity the glaring eyes of the wolf, whose
growls had been heard for some time.
Having made thorough survey of the
situation, he gave the signal to his friends,
who drew him forth with such eelerity
that the few clothes he had on were torn
to rags and his skin severely lacerated.
He then loaded his musket with nine buck
shot, and with torch and gun re-entered
the den, and adjusted himself for the on
set of the animal, which, howling, rolling
her eyes, and lashing her tail, lowered her
head to spring. At this instant aiming
at the eyes of the wolf, he fired, and was
instantly drawn out, stunned by the shock
and half suffocated by the smoke. After
an interval of rest he loaded again, en-
tered for the third time, and seeing the
wolf PROSTATE on the floor of the cave ap-
piled the torch to her nose. Perceiving
that she was dead, he seized her by the
ears, again gave the signal, and the hero
and the victim were drawn forth together.
The adventure took place when Putnam
was % years old"
In a recess of the veranda facing the
court of the Grand Union Hotel, Saratoga
Springs, n. Y, visitors to that famous
hoStelry may see the old swing sign that
hung from the first tavern built upon the
ground where that hotel now stands.
Upon one side of the sign is painted the
scene described in the foregoing narrative.
The artist-if such he was--has attempt
ed to represent Putnam in the act of draw
ing the wolf out of the cave by the ears.
But little progress could have been made
in art, especially in sign painting, in those
days, if this is fair specimen, the picture
being SO rudely done that were it notfor the
words at the top, "Putnan and the wolf"
what IT was intended to represent would
i'ASNNA navy lDN SlSTN. Inc
sign is about four feet in width bv six in
length, and across the bottom is painted
the name, "Putnams Tavern and Boarding
House" The tavern was built in 1900 by
Gideon Putnam, relative of Old Put,
who was the father of Lewis Putnam, the
first white child born in Saratoga.
The twelve years following the advent
ure with the wolf were spent in agricult-
ural pursuits, in which Putnam was sue
cessful, and accumulated a fair compe-
tence. At the age of 81 he was appointed
by the Legislature a captain in Colonel
Lyman's regiment, and recruited a strong
company from among his neighbors for
special service as rangers. Two years
later, in l757, he was commissioned a
major. and went with his command to Join
the British forces at Fort Edward in their
contest with the French troops The Brit
ish army, in command Of General Webb.
was stationed at Fort William Henry and
Fort Edward, with headquarters at the
latter, and the French troops under Mont
calm were in possession of Ticonderoga
and Crown Point. Major Putnam was at
that time much distinguished for his ac-
tivity and bravery. General Webb had
biSh 1oCt vi Ills military tllslI-
acter and enterprise, and gave him the
command of a party of two hundred men
selected to escort Webb from Fort Edward
to Fort William Henry to examine the
Notifications at Lake George. Great diff
Guilty had been experienced in obtaining
reliable information as to the state of the
fortifcations and strength of the enemy.
Several attempts had been made but none
were successful.
Putnam proposed that he be allowed to
try his hand at the business, taking with
him five men only. General Webb
thought this would be too dangerous an
experiment, but permitted him to proceed
with eighteen men in three whale boats
Putnam set out with his volunteers and
soon discovered body of men on one o.
the islands in the lake. Having reported
this to General Webb he pressed further
on till he discovered large army in mo-
ton, and was seen by the enemy. Several
of their canoes pursued him, and though
nearly surrounded at times, by the mos
| vigorous exertions he escaped On his re-
turn he made 4 report to General Webb
giving a minute account of all he had
seen. and added that the army of the
enemy must undoubtedly he designed
against Fort William Henry. Putnam was