Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-11-18
A WARWH0OP.

"A WARWH UUI.
In one of the quiet, pleasant, pictur-
esque valleys of eastern Connecticut
nestles the pretty, old fashioned village
of Windham. A century ago this was
one of the most important towns in the
state east of the Connecticut river. Here
were located the county Jail, the county
courthouse and other public institutions,
which, with its prominent public men,
raised the town to a position of influence
and wide reputation.
During the last half century, or lit
tie over, these institutions one by one
have been removed to more thriving CEN
ters, bright and ambitious young men
have sought other and more promising
fields of activity, and the town, once so
important, has been shorn of its old
fame and power, until it has become
simply relic of the 'good old tines
a typical New England village, the ev-
eryday existence of which has become
dreamy and monotonous, and which
lives chiefly in it's Evolutionary history.
A century and half ago Squire FL
derkin and Colonel Dyer were the two
most prominent men of Windham and
were we'll known throughout the state.
Both were lawyers, both were promi-
nent in public affairs, both were wealthy
for the times in which they lived, both
had large social followings, and both
were intensely jealous of each other.
Squire Elderkin was tall, lean, bill
ious looking man, with heavy, raven
black hair and piercing dark eyes. He
was of aristocratic lineage, and in man
ner cold, selfish and ambitious. He was
learned lawyer, an able advocate and
a merciless wit. Few could give more
rapierlike thrust than he-a thrust that
never failed to reach its mark and al
ways left ranking wound and an ugly
scar.
Colonel Dyer was different kind Of q
man in every respect. In person he was
short and stout. He had a merry blue
eye, beaming countenance and good
word for every one. Few could tell a
better story or more surely make one
laugh without knowing the reason why.
Genial, happy, sociable, always bubbling
over with fun and good humor, he 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 more than a
match for the squire's learning and
brilliancy.
Colonel Dyer was prominent, too, in
military as well as political matters.
Windham in those days was frontier
town, and the red men caused great
deal of anxiety at times. Whenever the
situation became threatening Colonel
Dyer was called to lead, and he always
proved willing soldier and skillful
commander.
Squire Elderkin was very envious OF
the colonel's popularity and made him
the butt of many keen, piercing shaft
of wit. The colonel in time became very
sensitive to these wounds, and although
hatred was foreign to his nature he con-
ceived thorough dislike for the squire
and frequently in defense made sharp,
singing retort. The situation went on
from bad to worse until finally there
was many sharp encounter between
the friends of tho contending parties.
The little town, which had hitherto been
blessed with happiness and contentment,
became factious, quarrelsome commu-
nifty.
Where these divisions would have end.
ed, If an event destined to make sold
Windham" famous had not interviewed,
no one can tell,
"
The spring and early summer of 1858
was season Of intense anxiety for the
settlers of New England. The memo
rable French and Indian war. with its
unparalleled atrocities, was at its height.
Massacres, in which whole villages were
destroyed, were of frequent occurrence.
Windham had been especially stirred
up by the bloodcurdling reports that
were frequently borne from the north.
Several times rumors Of threatened in
vasion by the warlike savages and their
more savage allies aroused the town to
a wild pitch Of excitement. On these
occasions the villagers put implicit faith
in the colonels military sagacity and
leadership. He was always placed in
command, and his word was LAWN
short, he was the Miles Standish Of this
interior Connecticut town.
In early summer Of thu year the Con.
necticut settlers were called upon to rem
der additional assistance in the struggle
against the French. The French forts
of the north were now the objective
point, and Colonel Dyer Immediately be-
gan raising regiment to help In the re-
duction Of Crown Point. The men were
sent forward as fast as they enlisted,
while Colonel Dyer remained to continue
raising recruits.
One dark, sultry night of this memora-
BILE year the long looked for and dreaded
crisis seemed at hand. Late in the even
ing an excited alarm was given by the
village parsons slave. The negro was
badly scared and rushed from house to
house, wildly shouting: "The French are
coming, The French are coming"
The excited villagers ran to their VIM
dows and doors and were met with a
din and roar that filed them with amaze
ment and terror. Such shrieksl Such
yellsl The very heavens seemed filed
with unearthly sounds. The earth seemed