The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-01-14

a. conundrum as "Who struck Billy Patterson" but it is matter of history that the striking on one side and the other, resulted in blood-shed and mur- der The military resources of the city at this time were very liInited, and as other demonstrations were anticipated, the mayor issued caGl to the fire de- partment, asking assistance in case or further disturbance. Each fireman had orders ito detail a portion of his com pany for duty in case of fire, reservlng a detachment of the most plucky men for police duty. On the night in ques- tion, the police squads were to be quar- tered ln their respective engine houses all night, every man to be armed ana equipped for duty at a moments notlVe. Croton came gallantly to the rescue armed with rusty horse pistols, lead knuckles, and improvised shillelaIh's. After watching and waiting until past midnight, the squad calmly betook themselves to the floor ito snatch a few moments repose, leaving two lon guard" to give signal in case of alarm.
 Thus amid the dim glare of flights burning blue," and wrapped in, the an- pie folds of a large American flag, these brave defenders awaited further developments. Just before day-break a ghrill cry disturbed their uneasy slumbers, instanItly every man was on his feet. Softly they interrogated the outside sentinel as to the cause of the alarm, and were gravely informed, that 1t was nothing but the morning salu- tation of a neighbormg Shanghie.
 At daylight the party were relieved and dismissed to their homes, each mentally exclaiming, "Glory enough for one night" It leaked out afterward that the whole arrangement was sim ply an ingenious device of the city authorities for keeping the turbulent firemen locked up in thesr houses.
 The organization, principles and pur- poses of the Temperance Fire com pany, gathered about its wide spread ing brakes, sturdy arms and brave hearts, pledged to resist every form Of wrong doing. We have now in mind a sturdy youth known amongst the boys as one of the "Old Plugs" Al though a most uncompromisinlg enemy of evil practices, the aforesaid Plug was mixed up wlth every debate wran- gle, wrestling match oyster supper, target shoot and prize squirt which ever took place in the company, and yet without first glancing at the top of his head you would, scarcely recognize inl this picture, our Bald- win, the honored president of this association
 Politically speaking, the bright par ticular star in the galaxy of Croton, was a dark-haired, blue-eyed, good na- tured individual who usually answered to the name of George Colburn. He
 was a man of moderate counsels, but of untiinching determination when his po- sftion was once taken. George was an uncompromising union man, the arch | ives of Old Croton bear witness how well he contested for the company mot lto "Unlon and brotherhood in the | right" The records of Connecticut leg l islature also attest the latent strength of his union proclvitiels, and how in | later days he has waged war for the rights of union, Tolalnd county.
 | These kaleidoscopic views of Croton would be incomplete without view of Croton as a military organization. l The idea as soonl as preached was
 eagerly caught up and forthwith com
 mittees were appointed on legislative
 petition. on arms, equipments and 1 finance. At the meeting of the election of officers We call to mind one embryo
 commander who utterly refused to be | comforted until the votes of the com- pany Eafely installed him in the much
 coveted position of fourth corporal i This position playfully sought for, af- 1 ter rejecting the best offices in the gift | of the company was the very instrr-
 mentality in Gods Providence by which
 a brother possessing a great heart and l brains was afterward led up to those positions of responsi bility and trust for which he was sol ennlinently fitted Loyal | to the core, he EIhranlS from no duty with a generosity far beyond his purse
 srings, he was ever ready to contribute 1 to the comfort of those under his com
 mand with a courage that never fal-
 tered he was always able to say to his
 comrades Come" not "go."
 | Of the three-score Crotonians who re-
 sponded to their countrys call in the
 hour of her greatest need none deserve
 more grateful recognition than our com. | Idut, SO4OIlel D. o. T IdTuee. All lllCl- dent in connection with the military equipment of Croton deserves a pass | ing notice. It was rumored that cer.
 tain unfriendly parties had threatened
 to invade Croton's armory, and capture | her munitions of war. Genius personi. | fled, under the guise of an Osborn, came | to the rescue and submitted a design | to prevent intrusion by means of bolts | bars and iron doors. The plan was ap. | proved, but for lack of funds was never | carried out. Nothing further, however
 was heard of the intended raid. It was | generally surmised that when the bel 1 lgerent parties heard of Osborn's for. midable scheme they abandoned theil
 aggressive preparations; at all events they were never heard of more. Broth.
 CT Osborn has since achieved national
 reputation as a manufacturer of ca ges
 but not of the variety above described | Every house has it's Co(e) so also ha6 | Croton, but ours was not the kind ot 1 Coco, which is simply used as a termi | nal appendage to many business firms on the contrary, ours was an actice, re, sponsible go-ahead Coe. He left Crotor Engine company to join the Kansas Rifle company, and from running as ( simple fire laddie has since demonstrat
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 5 else in Town HOney.'' |: ~