The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-13
A DAY spent IN
HISTORIC CONCORD.
The Old Massachusetts, Town
and It's Memories.
WHERE BATTLE WAS FOUGHT
Nearby Stand the Homes of Many Of
New England's IIIustrious Names in
Literature and Haw-
thorne Buried at Concord.
BY LieIa Mosely johns.

BY Liela Mosely johns.
In my imagination I had pictured Con-
cord as busting, lively little city. and
was much surprised to find it such a
quiet, sleepy little town, that every
thing seemed mbued with a spirit OF
restful quietness and moved slowly:
even the notes Of the bobolink, and
other sweet-voced feathered songsters
sounded as if long-drawn out. and the
| famous Concord River, winding its way
| like a silver thread along the outskirts
| OF the town. seemed half inclined not
! to move at ALL All the buildings have
an ancient aspect, as if they were erect
ed in 1.-The long, long ago. but it really
makes the old town more interesting
and the more appropriate as the scene
! of the battle at the bridge.
The ride from Boston to Concord is
very interesting, as SO many historical
spots are passed en- route. After leaving
| far-famed Cambridge, Lexington and
| Arlington Heights. we entered the little
| town Of Bedford, in the town hall OF
which is treasured under locks. bolts
and bars that most sacred relic. the
original flag carried BY the Minute Men
| in the battle at Concord Bridge. 1t was
the ancient flag of the Massachusetts
| militia, and became the flag of the
Minute Men April 12. 1775. In the pre-
| ceding March, the town of Bedford,
| voted ''to pay twenty-five Minute Men
one shilling per week each until the 1st
Of May, they to exercise four hours In
a week. and two shillings to be allowed
to each of two officers, they to equip
themselves according to the advice OF
the Provincial Congress. John Han
1oIy mo proc no off nf he
Minute Men had no commissions, SO
their authority came through their moral
influence over their associates, but they
were alert and ready when the cry rang
out
IN WAR TIMES.
Through every Middesex village and
farm Captain Parker at lexington
sounded the alarm for them at Bedford.
They gathered at Fitch's Tavern. and
after a hurried repast Captain Wilson
uttered the memorable words:
Its cold breakfast. boys, but we'll
give the British hot dinner: well have
every dog of them before night"
The flag was designed in England in
1860 for the Middlesex troops. and was
carried by Nathaniel Page. color-bearer.
in the battle. It has crimson silk
ground. with an extended arm and hand,
silver-colored. in which is grasped a
dagger with the motto, Conquer or die"
Along the route there is a stone mark
ing the site Of the Black Horse Tavern.
where the Committee of Safety met in
1775, and Just before arriving at Lex
ington we passed the well-preserved
home of Jonathan Harrington. the last
survivor of the Revolution. This house
was built in 1854. and near by is the spot
where the British cannon were planted
and turned on the town of Lexington
Arriving at Lexington we enjoyed a
srlendid dinner 81 the old Wright Tav-
ern. built in 1747 which is a frame build
ing, with low ceiling, narrow, crowded
stail.ways. huge rafters, long front We
raltla. windows with deep easements
and many very small panes in eacn II
vas the headquarters of the British Off
GERS and it was in this building that
Major Pitcairn made his famous boast
Ii,at he would spill Yankee blood that
DAY. April 49, 1ES and Mrs. Wright,
wife of the proprietor, with other wo-
men. doaned the clothes of their absent
husbands. and guarded the bridge over
Nashua River.
ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
Turning into the road leading to the
bridge. there is a, slab placed on a. huge
elm tree. with these words, This is the
Battle Grounds, April 49, IT'S. There
are two monuments on either side Of the
DrlOSS. on one, tltS lUSCIlplloil I1ele, VII
April 10. 1715. was made the first forci-
BILE resistance to British aggression. Or
the opposite bank stood the American
militia Here stood the invading army
ard on this spot the first of the enemy
fell in the war of the Revolution. which
gave independence to the United States.
In ratitrde to God. and in love of free
dom this monument was erected Ammo
Domini 1885, and on this side of the
l. {1,c Of nr{fi S1,
| sc!6jers. killed in the battle. On the
III Il ument across the bridge erected III
konor of the Minute Men is the quota
ticn from Ralph Waldo E1nerson:
Ply the rude bridge that arched the flood
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled
flc,e once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round ts1e
world
Louise May Alcott. Emerson, George
| William Curtis. Senator Hoar and Gen
eral Grant We're all present when this
'ucl, ment vas dedicated. April 10. 1875
Near the bridge was passed the famous
'.Old Manse.'' where Hawthorne wrote
his "Mosses from an Old NIause"
HAWTHORNE'S HOME.
On the road leading to beautiful Sleepy
Ho,lcw Cemetery. where sleep Louise
Alcott, Hawthorne Thoreau and Ralph
| Waldo Emerson, We passed the homes
| OF Cr. Wllllm Emerson, Ralph Waldo
| Ell trson. Louise Alcott. Hawthorne and
also the place where Concord grapes were
| first grown and perfected. Hawthorne
| home was the only one that had an an
| clenr appearance; with its gabled roof
huge front door, with an immense lock
| and bolt and miniature windows. 1t seem
| ed neglected and fast falling into decay;
the door was closed the blinds
were drawn, and not one ray
! Of Gods blessed sunlight was al
lowed to penetrate that antiquated DON'T
Gle. The weeds had almost usurped the
| place OF every flower, and the modest
| little front gate swung with a creaking,
ws:ry sound upon its rusty broken
hinges. Ralph Waldo Emerson's home
was a large mansion with Ccrinthian. col
li,nns supporting the front veranda,
which. gave 1t a somewhat majestic APP
| gpearance; It's grounds We're ample and
ruIul. enlivened with rare plants and
flowers. A little farther down the street
! is a tavern on which is written: -'On
this hill the settlers of Concord built
tho meeting-house." In the center OF
| nr1 in 1oof