The Republican journal., 1891-05-28

On Monday squad from Thomas II. Marshall
Post, g. A. R. went to the Pattershall Hill, half a
mile above the Upper bridge on the east side Bel
fast, and nearthed an old cannon that has laid
half buried for ten years. The gun has history.
In July 1897, company of about thirty went over
to Castine from Belfast in the little sch. Yankee
Adams to appropriate cannon from the old
French fort, to be used III celebrating the glorious
Fourth of that year. While the citizens of Cas-
tine were quietly slumbering these Belfast youths,
on mischief bent, tumbled the gun over the ram
parts of the Old fort, but it too heavy for them
to handle in the small boat Covering up their
booty they returned to Belfast. The next night,
in an Old sc0w, they again crossed the bay and
brought aw4y the gun, landing it on the bluff be
low what is now the Boston steamers wharf. The
Journal Of July TO- 1851 speaking of the Fourth of
July celebration alludes to this gun rather briefly
as follows
| "A company, not yet named, think, proceed
| ed beforehand to Castine and from that war
| SCARED peninsula brought iron gun about the
Size of pine log, the real title to which may he
with the Dutch, French, English or American gov
ernments. The roaring of the old devilish en-
ginery sent patriotic thrill through all hearts,
| from The far interior to Monhegan."
| The night after the old gun landed in Bel
fast, it was stolen and taken to Belmont and from
thence to Searsmont The Belfast boys recaptured
the gun hauled 1t to Belfast and used it on July t.
1877 It is said that the discharges shattered the
glass for considerable distance from the place of
4 operation. The Old gun found a resting place in
the cellar Of the Belfast Custom House where it
| remained for many years. One night many wears
ago il taken of the cellar and carried to a
/ place near Lucius Walton's and on the morning of
the Fourth the citizens startled by its boom
ing After many adventures the gun was left on
the shores of the haibor near the Rag wharf where
the tide at high water nearly covered it. Ten wears
ago II was taken to the Pattershall hill and did
service in proclaiming the election of a Repuhli-
can president The gun was then spiked and it
has rested in its bed the Pattershall hill until
Monday last, when il loaded to team
hauled across the upper bridge and halted near
the seaside Grange buiding. At 30 y. m. the
Belfast band, in uniform, with an escort OF Grand
Army men, and hundreds Of citizens marched
over Primrose Hill and met the old gun. The car
rage was galy decorated. From the front s. at
the American flag was raised on temporary pole,
Whie smaller flags adorned the gun. The Belfast
Livery company sent pair of horses which with
pair Of MIR. slavery. already there, started the
gun for town. The Post took position on either
side Of the gum with the band in front and long
line of carriages in the rear The march was down
High street to Park, up Park to Church, over
Church to the Memorial building, where the gun
was DEPOSITED. 1t is proposed to have the gun
mounted in froat of the building.
The cannon is what ia olden times was known as
long thirty two. Its length IS eleven feet and its
weight nearly 5000 pounds. 1t is said that the
gun was formerly from Oh Fort George overlook
ing the bay and the village of Castine Doubtless
1t ga DUTY IN the war of lsl2 and possibly in the