Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-06-20

you land without money or friendsf"
This did not Brighten the determined
boy, who said he was willing to be sold
anything to get there. =.
The vessel landed In Boston .harbor.
Governor Chittenden met the captain, who
was personal friend, the day after the
arrival The captain told him Of the dar-
ing little stowaway, and they agreed to 60
through the form Of mock sale. The boy
took his stand upon the sale block, and
the bidding commenced. After . lively
contest he was knocked down to Governor
Chittenden for pair Of bulls.
He went home with his purchaser, made
himself generally useful and soon found
such favor in the eyes Of his master that
the latter took him into his Office, where
he commenced the study Of law. He was
soon an interested participator in the Bos.
ton ten party and enrolled himself with
tho "Grcen Mountain BoyA" under com.
mand OF Ethan Allen, and became rs true
patriot, as tenacious OF the rights OF Yer
mont and aggressive to those OF New
Hampshire and New York, as IL he had
been born and bred upon the soil OF the
Green Mountain State.
But soon there loomed up . stumbling
block in the way of Matthew's patriotism.
His warm, .oung Irish heart went out
toward the pretty daughter Of his benefac-
tor. She did not soorn the advances Of
the young patriot, but learned to look with
eaeerness to the surreptitious meetings,
when Matthew would steal away from
camp to get a look at her pretty face. Gov
ernor Chittenden had moro ambitious
views in regard to his daughter and
frowned upon this intimacy.
After the battle of Ticonderoga the con-
tinental congress at Philadelphia began
vigorously preparing for war, and when
George Washington was made commander
in chief Of the army Matthew Lyon found
himself a continental soldier, having won
his spurs at Lexington month previous.
But at the close of the war he returned
to Vermont and became associated in the
law firm of Governor Chittenden, whose
daughter he soon afterward married.
So steadily did this young enthusiast
win bis way into the hearts Of the people
that he was sent to represent them in the
continental congress. While serving in
this capacity he fought tho "alien and
sedition" bill and once in the heat Of argu-
ment spat in the face Of his opponent, a
man Of the name of Fitzgerald, think
For this he was arrested, and refusing bail
was imprisoned. While in prison he was
again chosen to represent his adopted state
In congress
Subsequently he was sent by the govern.
ment to Arkansas to settle some Indian
disturbances in that locality. Finally he
drifted to Kentucky. or "Fincastle coun-
ty," as it was then known. Here he Joined
forces with Daniel Boone and became an
Indian fighter, his love Of adventure find
ing in this pastime fitting means for its
accomplishment.
A remnant Of the fort built by Boone
and himself is still standing at the juno
ton Of the Tennessee and Cumberland
rivers. The huge stone chimney, large
enough to roast two or three oxen in ct
one time, forms the foundation for house
which ne afterward built and in which he
lived when he first settled In Kentucky
This house Is one of the historical spots In
the Blue Grass State, and many tour
lists annually visit 1t. The little three cor.
nered rooms, queer chimney places and
portfolio windows are reminders Of the
time when Kentucky was known - the
dark and bloody ground"
From that state Matthew Lyon was also
sent to congress, and often when hot in
debate he would cry out, "By the bulls
that bought me-" Numbers Of his descend.
ants are scattered throughout Kentucky,
Tennessee and Virginia, all Of whom have
been more or less prominent in public T.
fairs. +. g. DE- =.