The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-20
The WEs1MINsrER MASSACRE.
When II Occurred, Who Were Massaered,
an Epitaph. and o Poem.

When 1t Occurred, Who Were Massaered,
an Epitaph, and q Poem.
The various =" books of dates" or of facts"
contain long lists of massacres. but for some
reason they omit any mention of the Westmin-
ster massacre. 1t Is very fortunate that THE
sun has found out about this remarkable event,
for otherwise the history of the Revolution
would not be known fully to Americans. let
alone Frenchmen and Englishmen.
Newspaper men know what space grabbers
are. and as a rule admire them with a distorted
admiration; but no newspaper man ever knew
a~"space grabber" like Mr.. B. H. Hall, who re-
lated to tho New York Historical Society tho
story of the massacre. He did 1T
several years ago; nearly forty, in fact. The fol-
lowing extracts indicate the way he began:
IF there Is any portion of history more than
another with which men desire to be ac-
Quainted." &c.
"of particular incidents connected with this
subject" &c.
II intend to speak Of an event which oc-
curred." &c.
when we consider the hardy character Of
the early settlers of Vermont" &c.
tn early Inhabitants of Vermont were
principally persons" &c.
1.-THE soldiers quarters were. for the most
"In tho spring. when the ground was to be
ploughed." &c.
"The grass ripened in the hot summers day.
. . the soldier might occasionally renew
his homely. but healthful. bed of hay" &c.
"when winter had mantled tho earth" &c.
"On the Sabbath" &c.
Joyful was the hour" &c.
Great was the pleasure" &C.
Such were the highest, In fact the only
pleasures" &c.
But this was merely the training school In
hardship and endurance" SC.
when an Indian track was discovered" &c.
Great were tho dangers encountered" &c.
"Having promised these remarks," &C., Mr..
Hall finally arrives within sight OF Westmin-
ster. which is In Vermont. He has used more
than q column of The Sun in getting SO far.
Then having seen the village afar off. no APP
preached 1t at u somewhat greater speed. and
got to 1t In about another column. Then he be-
gins 70 toll about the massacre.
A congress of the inhabitants of Cumberland
county, New York. met At Westminster on
Oct. 10. 1774. to consider the non-importat!on
agreement; and on Oct. 81 1t adopted eight
resolutions. denunciatory OF the blockade of
Boston and of ether unjust proceedings Then
But Lieut.. Leonard Spaulding had. made
Britain" and on Oct. 20 no was committed to
Jail by the county officials on charge or nigh
rose In their wrath, and on Oct 30 appointed a
of orrespondency to. Join with
other towns or Respectable UOoleS OF people. tno
better to secure and protect the rights and
privileges OF themselves and fellow creatures
from the ravagcs and EN- barrassments or the
British tyrant and his New York and other
emissaries." On Nov. D the =" OF Cor
'-snoD1ency released Mir. SpauldinR from the
.anpement, assisted by a large concourse OF
lneir free. born neighbors and BRETHREN
Things waited thereafter until March, iI16,
when court was 10 meet, ana MI. Hall I'M
proves the opportunity to some quarter OF a
column. The Cumberland county people as u
rule opposed the King and disliked the crown
Oficiais, who were appointed from New York.
So they decided not TO let the court sit. They
told the Chief Judge 80, who said that he really
must try o murder case that was on the calen-
dar. but wouldn't try any other cases II they
did mot wish him TO dO.so. The Associate Judge
insIsted that the court should sit as usual.
II was to meet on Tuesday, March Ii, 1775.
On Monday about 100 "Whig5." armed with
clIibs, entered the Court House, determined to
stay until morning, when they hoped to argue
with the Court. Later, about sunset, came the
kherif with q most monstrous watch; he read
the Riot ACT, but without avail. Finally the pre-
siding Judge came up, and prevailed OH both
sides TO separate; and the Wings, savinG u
gnard in the Court House. went 20 their homes.
Eut the sheriff and his friends betopk them
selves 10 !" potatiouS" (potations are always tho
marx OF desperation). and At last decided to
sIorra the Court House. This they did. at first
In vain. Then they fired upon the Wings twice,
and inresent!y drove them out OF the building.
Soyeh Wings were arrested as they tried 10
SscapS. some Of them being wounded. But those