Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-12-15
A WARWH0OP.

In one OF the quiet, pleasant, niCtur-
esoue valleys Of eastern Connecticut
nestles tho pretty, old fashioned village
Of Windham. A century ago this was
one Of the most important towns in the
state east Of tho Connecticut river. Here
were located the county jail the county
courthouse and other public institutions,
which. with is prominent public men.
raised the town 20 position Of influence
and wide reputation.
During the last half century, or lit
We over. these institutions ono by one
have been removed tomore thriving cen
tiers. bright and ambitious young men
have sought other and moro promising
fields ~ activity. and the town. once so
important. has been shorn of its old
fame and power. until &c has become
simply q relic ~ The good old times -
typical New England village, Che Dy-
crydny existence VI which has become
dreamy and mouotonous. aud which
lives chiefly IN its tudiuonnry history.
A century and half ago Squire H.
derkin aud Colonel Dyer were the two
most prominent men Of Wiudhnm and
were well known throughout tho state.
Both were lawyers. both were rromi.
nent IN public affairs. both were wealthy
for the times in which they lived. both
had large social followinEs, aud both
were intensely jealous Of each other.
Squire Eldorkin was n tall lean, bill.
ious looking man. with heavy, raven
black hair and piercing dark eyes. Iio
WAS Of aristocratic lineage and in man.
ner cold selfish and ambitions. lie was
n learned lawyer. an able advocate and
morciloss wit Few could give a moro
rapiorlike thrust than hc-a thrust that
never failed 20 reach ia mark and al
ways loft ranking wound and an ugly
scar.
Colonel Dyer was n different kind Of n
man IN every respect. In person he WIS
short and stout. llo had a merry blue
eye. hcaming countcnnnco and good
word for every one. Few could tell
better story or more surely make ono
laugh without knowing tho reason why.
Gonial. happy. sociablc, always huhhling
over with fun and good humor. be- never
was happier than when surrounded with
company. and his wide circle Of friends
always found him royal entertainer.
As result he became one Of the most
popular men In the state. His magnetic,
winning qualities were moro than u
match for tho squirc's learning ard
brilliancy.
Colonel Dyer was prominent, too. IN
military as well as political matters.
Windham In those days was a frontier
town. and tho red men caused % great
deal Of anNiotyat times. Whenever the
situation became threatening Colonel
Dyer was called 90 lead. and he always
proved a willing soldier and a sldllful
commander.
Squire Eldorkin was very onvious Of
the colonies popularity and made him
tho butt Of many a keen, piercing shaft
Of wit. Thocolonol IN time became very
sensitive 10 these wounds. aud although
hatred was foreign 10 his nature he con-
ceived thorough dislike for the squire
and frequently In defense made sharp,
singing rotort Tho situation went on
from bad TO worse until finally there
WIS many sharp encounter between
the friends Of tho oontending parties.
The little town. which had hitherto been
blessed with happiness and contontmont.
became factious, quarrclsomo commu-
nifty.
Where these divisions would have end
ed. II an event destined TO make "old
Windham" famous had not interviewed,
no ono can tell.
The spring aud early summer Of 1853
was a season Of intense anxiety for the
settlers Of New England. The memo
rable French and Indian war, with It's
unparalleled atrocities, was at its height.
Massaores, IN which whole villages were
destroyed, were Of frequent occurrence.
Windham had been especially stirred
up by tho bloodcurdling reports that
wore frequently borne from the north.
Several times rumors OF threatened in
vHaion by the wRrliko tavugcs and their
more savage allies aroused tho town TO
wild pitch Of excitement. On these
occasions the villagers put implicit faith
in tho coloacl's military sagacity aud
leadership. ilo was always placed in
command, and his word was lawn
short, he was tho Miles Standish OF this
interior Connecticut town.
In early summon Of this year the Con.
neoticut settlers were called upon 20 rcn.
der additional assistance In tho struggle
against tho French. Tho French forts
Of tho north were now the objective
point, and Colonel Dyer Immediately DO.
San raising n regiment TO help In tho ne.
duction Of Crown Point. The men were
sunt forward ns fast as thcy enlisted,
while Colonel Dyer remained to continue
raising recruits.
ono dark, sultry night Of this memorn.
bio year tho long looked for and dreaded
crisis seemed at hand. Late IN the even
ing an excited alarm was given by IN,
village parsons slave Tho negro wa,
badly scared aud rushed from house e
house, wildly shouting; "1hc Frcnchar,
coming. The French ara coming"
The excited villagers ran 10 their win
dows and doors and were met with
din and roar that filed them with amaze
mont aud terror. Such shricllsl sucl
yellsl Tho very heavens seemed iillet
with unonrthly sounds. The earth seomol
10 quake beneath the tread OF the comlug
enemy.
1--WE will have Kernel Dyer An,
El-dor-l,in too. We will have Kerno
Dyer, Aud El.dsr,ldn too. Kernel by
er EldsrNu, too, shricled the hidcou
voices In unison. Colonel Dyer m
Squire Eldeian had bcon PARTICULAR
nOtiye against the French The AyhDl