The Press., 1893-11-16
A WARWHOOP.

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 it's prominent public men, raised the town to Q 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 it's old fame and power, until it has become simply a relic of the ''good old times'- typical New England village, the ev- eryday existence of which has become dreamy and monotonous, and which lives chiefly in its traditionary history. A century and half ago Squire FL derkin and Colonel Dyer were the two most prominent men of Windham and were well 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 8 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 Q more rapierlike thrust than he-a thrust that never failed to reach it's mark and al- | ways left ranking wound and an ugly scar. Colonel Dyer was 8 different kind of 8 man in every respect. In person he was short and stout. He had a merry blue | eve, beaming cOuntenance and 8 good | word for every one. Few could tell q 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 @ match for the squire's learning and brilliancy.
 Colonel Dyer was prominent, too, in military as well as political matters. Windham i'll those days was a 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 Elderlzin was very envious of the colonel's popularity and made him the butt of many 8 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 ill defense made a sharp, stinging retort. The situation went on from bad to worse until finally there was many Q sharp encounter between the friends of the contending parties. The little town, which had hitherto been blessed with happiness and contentment, became q factious, quarrelsome commu- nifty.
 Where tl,ese divisions would have end ed, if an event destined to make ''old Windham" famous had not intervened, no one can tell.
 ;: :: * <
 The sprin@ and early summer of 175e was season of intense anxiety for the settlers of New England. The memo. l rable French and Indian war, with its unparalleled atrocities, was atits 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 ru1nors of threatened in vasion by the warlike savages and theil more savage allies aroused the town tt a wild pitch of excitement. On these occasions the villagers put implicit faitl in the colonels military sagacity an( leadership. He was always placed il command, and his word was law-i1 short, he was the Miles Standish of thi interior Connecticut town.
 In early summer of this year tLe Con necticut settlers were called upon to ren der additional assistance in the struggl against the French. The French fort of the north were now the objectiv point, and Colonel Dyer immediately be gan raising regiment to help ill the re
 MVCTEDTEC