Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-03-14
sHELDEN DURKEE, "A vEE.siONTER
AT the Burning of Royalton In 1850 and
the Battle Of Pittsburgh in 1914.

granddaughter, who now lives IN
Platsburgh and who, as a little girl,
learned to be proud Of the old musket
and listen with interest to its history.
Sheldon Durkec came to Platts-
burgh about 1909 from Royalton, VT,
where his father, who was a Revolu-
tionary soldier, had settled in the ear
| ly days of that town. He chose for q
building place lot on the bank OF
the river at the south end OF what is
now Durkee street, and located there
with his family. When hostilities Of
the war Of 1872 began, he enlisted.
The first days of September, 1914,
were anxious times for Pittsburgh and
in anticipation Of the battle, those
who could left the village. Many
went to Peru: Others found refuge at
the adjacent farms. Mrs Dnrkee, who
was dangerously i'll, was carried ON a
bed to Viele Aliens house, which
stood on the Ogdensburgh stage road
at about the site of Mr.. Sowles' pres
ent residence.
The night of the 18th, it will be
remembered, the British, for reasons
plain to both sides, found it oonvcn-
lent to retire to Canada, and before
dawn OH the 18th, their camp, mile
to the west Of Pittsburgh village, was
deserted.
Durkee,with two friends, Rand the
godfather of Rand Ilill) and Norcross,
all three unarmed, ON their way from
Aliens early in the morning came up
OH one of Gen. Prevost's men who had
presumably been too drunk to follow
the retrcating army, and had not re-
covered sufficiently TO be anything
but an easy catch for the Yankees.
A little further OH they saw three
more soldiers coming up the road
from the village, headed for the camp
and armed with mnskets. Durkee re-
solved to capture them and arranged
the plan of attack, politely offering
the prisoner already secured The choice
between instant death and remaining
neutral. the latter condition being ac-
cepted
As the soldiers came near he called
out: Where are you going, boys ~
ITO camp" Perhaps not and
springing toward them Dnkec, par
rying bayonets right and left, knocked
down the two outside men and crap
pied with the third, disarming him.
Rand dealt successfully with his man
but NorcrQss unfortunately received n
serious wound in the lcg. Dm'kee,
quoting his own opponent with a
blow from the musket, which broke
its breech, charged upon the soldier
who had shot Norcross and made him
lie down behind the man he had
wounded.
Rand hurried at once for a doctor.
and Dnrkce with the muskcts, three
of them loaded, followed the four
"Wellington lnvincibles" side by side,
marching meekly on in front of him,
having received the cheerful warning
| that they would be shot at the first
turn of their heads.
The party proceeded in an orderly
manner down the Court street road
through the village across the river.
(only the string pieces of the bridge
remained, the planks having been re-
moved in the defence) to the town
headquarters at the corner Of Bridge
and Peru streets. tthe Amasa Moore
house now owned by Mrs. Dickinson).
Gen. Macomh, on a big white horse.
had just ridden down from the bar
racks, and stood al the gate watching
the singular procession as it came up
the street. "Wherc in Gods name did
did you get those red coats!n he ex-
claimed. Before telling his story Dur
kee asked that surgeon be sent at
once to the assistance OF Norcross, and
then explained the situation, to the
establishment Of the general
The guard upon receiving the pris-
oners, insisted ON having the broken
mnsket as well as the Others. Durkee
refused, assuring the officer that il he
got it he would have to fight for it,ad-
ding p aaccablv, have fought for that
gun once and | can do ii again. lie re-
tired with the weapon and the honors
of the occasion.
Mr.. Dlrkee was Il man Of great
stature as well as strength, and his
voice, when he pleased TO make il SO.
was like Il cannon. One day his two
little granddaughters, who knew him
as the most amiablc of men, were
minded to 90 over and help themselves
20 some Of his cherries. They entered
by the garden, climbed the trees and
were calmly feasting, when he AZ
pemed. Iistaking them for maraud-
ing little boys, he let ont his voice to
its full extent, terrifying the children
almost out OF their wits. so that for
several years they were unable to see a
cherry tree without an involuntary
quake.
AT the burning Of Royalton, Octo-
Der l6, l7so, by the Indians under
command of a British officer. Sheldon
Durkec, and his brother, Adam. were
among the prisoners, and Sheldon was
one Of the eight boys released through
the intercession Of the brave Mrs. Hen
dee. Adam died in captivity at Mon
treal.
Selden, seeing the Indians coming.