Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-03-16


edge of a small clearing between two hills
and in the centre of the clearing was a
rude hut made of poles and covered W h
hemlocs bark. 1t was the home Of II
pioneer, yet William dared not venture
to make himself seen on account of the
reward offered for his capture.
However, a woman soon appeared in the
cabin door and William decided to trust
his safety to her. She was Yankee, and
her husband, though not fig htng, WAS in
sympathy with the Americans. When
William explained his position he was
welcomed and his host and hostess has
tened back with him to find Seth before
it would he too late. They found him
| and nursed him back to life.
They built camp in the swamp, and
as their strength revived their hatred for
the men who forced them into such pri-
vations became intensified. They learned
the lay of the aud found out where the
American army headquarters could be
approached and then took their way in
to join ne American army.
Before they left the swamp clearing the
woman in the cabin cautioned them not
to enlist under their own name OF Green
low. 50 us Grindle they were received.
William did not wish to enter the
ranks. He was against killing privates
" no were many OF them so like himself,
| probably forced from home and into the
dreadful service. So William revenged
| himself a sharpshooter and became a
terror to the British officers. He began
active duty at once. Within two hours
after his enlistme he was in sight OF
the fighting. He took his station at the
corner OF an old barn, and shot in that
day seven officers. The red coats were in
confusion. 1t WAS as much his skill
as sharpshooter as any other single
| thing, Perry Grindle believes, that
turned the tide OF battle and the first
great battle for American independence
WAS won.
Seth GrindIe enlisted as private. He
soon became noted for his deeds of dar-
ing and for a ferocious hatred of red
coats.
! When the war ended the name Of
! Grcenlow WAS forgotten. The name OF
! Grinde was instituted and multiplied
rapidly. William Grindle settled down
at Southern bay, Ga7tine, and raised Il
large family OF girls and boys. Seth set
/ tied further up the coast and he raised a
| great number OF Cirindles.
In the war OF 1Sl2, when the British
! took possession of Castine, w illiam Grin
die, The sharpshooter of the revolution,
was still living and had grown sens, aIi OF
! whom were giants in strength. " Villain
had learned the trade of a wharf builder
and early III the occupation of the town
WAS hired by the commander 10 construct
wharf. He hadn't learned 10 love a
/ British officer, although he had not
/ learned TO hate British private. lie was
/ poor and Wa- glad to be able to earn some
! money even from hostile officer.
| One day while William and his sons
| We're driving plling, petty officer came
down and began ordering them about.
/ Quick a. tnsh William Grude's right
! arm shot out and the officer carried
! very black eye about with him as Il me-
! mento of the event. The old man was
! seized by the soldiers and was sentenced
! to be shot. A. the drum heud justice
read this sentence Of death tie o,d hre
flashed up in GrindI,'s heert agala sro
to the astoni,hment %! the Twelve u,eu
chosen to perform the shooting ne ,asd
out the justice by bIoN with his list.
| There was much confusion and annie
! it all in strobe Gen. Goslln.
NO! No! No!n said the general.
He must not be shot, lie has too much
can take his place building the wharf.
/ Let him go, men. Grindle, you % back
to your work. II any one interteres With
you call on me-
! That was Perry Grindle's grandfather
and Perry remembers how, after the old
man had passed the century mark, he
would swell with pride rs he related the
story.
William Grindle lived to see the name
he adopted at the battle of Bunker Hill
become familiar in hundred villages,
and his grandsons and the grandsons of
Seth Grinde sailed their ships in every
quarter of the globe and We're prominent
men in the council chambers of their
towns and state.
Indomitabl will and sound sense are
Grindle characteristics and Perry Grin
die, though the oldest of the family to-
day, is a pleasing example of the qualities
which made up the man who made his
name He has voted for sixteen Presi-
dents and is now a staunch advocate OF
democracy according to the Chicago plat
form.
Yet he does not believe in political
prophets. "I'm eighty-seven years DID,"
he said, "and naturally l can't hope to
live more than a century longer. would
like to live, however, till | saw them
good times which the democrats and re-
publicans have been promising since |
cast my first vote"
representative of the Massac husetts
Historical society has interviewed Mr..
Grindle in regard to the origin of the
mama ~ 10 ia mi and unop of her mat