The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-05
A WARWHOOP.

OF Wndhaln. n century AFRO this was
one OF the nos5 important towns i'll the
state cast of the Connecticut river. Here
We're located the county Jail. the county
courthouse and other public institutions.
which. with its prominent public men.
raised the town TO IL position of influence
and wide reputation.
During the last half century. or Il lit
tie over. these institutions one by one
have been removed To more thriving cen
tiers, 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 a relic of the good old tines
n typical New England village. the ev-
eryday existence of which has become
dreamy and monotonous. and which
lives chiefly i'll its Evolutionary history
a century and IL half ago Squire FL
derkin and Colonel Dyer were the two
most prominent men of Windham ana
were we'll known throughout the state.
Both We're lawyers. both We're 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 Il tall. lean. bill
ious looking man, with heavy, raven
black hair and piercing dark eyes. He
was of aristocratic lineage. and III man
ner cold selfish and ambitious He was
learned lawyer. an able advocate and
mercilcss wit. Few could give ii more
rapierlike thrust than he-a thrust that
never failed TO reach its mark and al
ways left n ranking wound and an ugly
scar.
Colonel Dyer was Il different kind of Il
man i'll every respect. In person he was
short and stout. He had a merry blue
eye, beaming countenancc and a good
word for every one. Few could tell Il
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 wheii surrounded with
company. and his wide circle of friends
always found him Il royal entertainer.
AS a result he became one of the most
popular men in the state. His magnetic.
winning qualities We're more than a
match FOR the sQnires learning and
brilliancv.
Colonel Dyer was prominent. too. in
military as well as political matters.
Windham in those days was Il frontier
town. and the rcd men caused Il great
deal of anxiety at times. Whenever the
situation became threatening Colonel
Dyer WAS called to lead. and he ALWAYS
proved Il willing soldier and a s,,illful
commander.
Squire Elderkin WAS very cnvious of
the coloncrs popularity and made him
the butt of many g 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
celved thorough dislike for the squire
and frequently III defense made Il sharp,
Singing retOrt. The situation went on
from bad to worse until finally there
was many sharp encounter between
the friends of the contcnding parties.
The little town, which had hitherto been
blessed with happiness and contentment.
became factious, Quarrclsome commu-
nifty
Where these divisions would have end
ed, if an event destined to make ':old
Windham" famous had not interviewed.
no one can tell.
The spring and early summer of 1853
was Il 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
Massacrcs. III which whole villages were
destroyed, were of frequent occurrence
Nlndham had been especially stirred
mp by the bloodcurdling reports that
Were frequently borne from the north.
Several TIMES ruIaorS of threatened in
vasion by the warlike savaycs and their
more savage allies aroused the town TO
wild pitch of excitement. On these
occasions the villagers put implicit faith
IN tho colonel's military sagacitv and
leadership. He was always placed in
command, and his word was lawn
short, he was the Miles Standlsh of this
interior Connecticut town
In early SIMMER of this year the Con-
necticut settlers We're 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 a 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-
Die 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
al L.