Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-05-07
SILVER LAKE.
Barnard Cannon.

| through the village streets down TO large
open lawn in front OF the old Clancy tav-
ern, which was headquarters for beans
and hard cider in a log cabin. Here
speeches were made, answered by salutes,
burning many kegs OF powder.
Democrats, attracted by the bill OF fare,
acted with Wings in making one of the
largest crowds that ever listened to a
noisy demonstration, but not convinced
that the country was saved from Van Bur-
ems extravaganza by this show.
Judge Howard and the writer OF this
helped make the boy contingent which is
always necessary on such an occasion.
II was glorious time with no prohibit
ton on eating or drinking. Many at
night grew tired and all roads were lined
with Wings taking rest, forgetting
about gold spoons, baked beans and hard
cider, but our old cannon continued to
shout until powder run short and then
went into private retirement.
Next year ''Tyler too" put in his oar.
Tippecanoe died, being president only one
month. John Tyler was inaugurated
April, 1S41, with strong Wing Congress
in session. They passed measures which
confiicted with Jacksonian Democratic
policies and Tyler, being a Democrat at
heart, got in with his vetoes.
Now the old gun came again to light,
showing it had lost nothing by rest.
Democrats came readily to the fore with
money for powder. Walter G. Clark, a
stout Wing, but always ready 10 handle
this gun for any man or any party who
would find ammunition, was now in his
glory. All day long our gun shouted for
Democrats to the chagrin OF Wings.
Soon the campaign of 1874 was on and as
Tyler had weakened the Wings it was al
most sure that James X. Polk would be
our next president. Looking for the can
non, Democrats found it missing. No
one had seen il for months and suspicion
rested upon certain Wings that ii had
been sunk in Silver Lake.
When Folks election was reported,
Clark Cook, Democrat, took Winslow's
team, drove to Norwich, 80 miles away, |
borrowed from that brotherly political |
town their gun to celebrate this great ma
tional victory. Cook had his orders not |
to come until night, 80 by daylight the |
Wings would be surprised by the firing. |
Coming home with the gun well covered
With straw, he drove under a hotel shed /
in Woodstock, went into the barroom to /
warm outside and in. Not making very
long stop, he arrived home about mid
night and found the party busy making
All were anxious to see this 1
surprise party and throwing back the
blankets found the gun spiked with rat
all file. Here was an unexpected block,
)ut willing and skilful hands went imme-
he vent clear.
Firing was kept up morning, noon and
light, but the reports we're hardly up to
'ur own gun, causing some disappoint-
nent. The Norwich gun was larger in
alibre, but lacked the sharp ring of Barn
I'd cannon.
1t proved afterwards that Cook was fol-
owed to Norwich sby secret Wing spy
With hammer and file, who accomplish
d his purpose while Cook was warming
n Woodstock.
Harry Toplff, a leading Democrat and
equity sheriff, who prided himself on his
agacity in ferreting out and bringing to {
ght secrets, never believed the cannon
vas sunk in the lake, but had his suspic-
ons OF Chamberlin's carriage shop, a
lace that employed a number of young ,
len, all Wings. Topliif made some err
ands to the shop, always with an eye for
ecret hiding places, but with no success.
One day, while standing near a house
cross the road, he heard a rooster crow !
o long and loud that he looked through a
ence to see what kind OF bird was max ;
ng so much noise. What astonishment !
here on Chamberlin's horse barn manure
cap, he saw this cockerel standing upon 4,
are place he had scratched from the
reech OF our long-lost cannon, Growing .
18th all the delight OF a pure Democrat. 2
othing said and no surprise indicated, :
ut that night the gun left Chamberlin's Z
remlses, taking quarters among its Dem a
,ratic friends
This was reported to the Spirit OF the g
ge, Democratic paper printed in Wood
ock, which, in its next issue, came out I,
18th heavy headlines and a large picture r
rooster unearthing Democratic can a
on. Il
II has been followed by that paper and, 9
fact, by nearly all Democratic papers to y
low roosters on the occasion OF victories.
may not have been the starting point, y
1T was the first your correspondent ever g
W, which was about 1916.
The old gun was now in Democratic
lnds, only appearing when a Democrat
as elected to Montpelier. We well re-
'llect being down below the village one
ection afternoon when we saw Mr..
agar, fine old gentleman Wing, going
)me. Judge Howard, who was generally
'okesman for the boys, took of his cap
I'd asked, "How is election going, Mr..
agar ?" ~ don't know for certain, but
n afraid we won't win,n meaning the
higs. Just then there was bright flash
I'd big report came laundering down
e road. ''Oh, dear oh, dear ! they I
I'VE elected another Democrat" and Mr.. Il
agar fastened on out of hearing.
Some Wings took the result pleasantly
ough, bpt most OF them dreaded the
mon. Walt Clark worked hard for
e Wing party, was great leader and
litician, but would never fail to rejoice \,
tn the victorious party, IL he could
ndle the powder.
Amos Jaquith, a strong Wing, had a
oe shop. One Of his workmen, Horace
insiow, was a Democrat, and when
alt begun his firing Horace said, "Do
u hear that ~ "No.n IL came sharper. "
liking windows and doors rattle. Horace p
d again, "Do you hear that 2" II hear
thing but your gabble" a
I having been noised outside that
nos couldn't hear any report, they ~
cked the gun close up, loaded it to the u u
1zzle and let her go. Glass few in "a
overs, the door burst open and half u
e plastering came down over Amos and y, W
J bench. 10
There, d-n you, did you hear that 30 =
d Horace stretched his mouth from m
T to ear. az
Amos Jaquith was a large, corpulent, le
ly, good man, with many friends ~