The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-08
ALDEN DESCENDANTS AROUSED.


Cherry Creek On. W Letter in New York
Tribune
The name and fame of John Alden, the
rosy -cheeked hero of THE Courtship OF
Miles Standish," have been attacked, ana,
as a result score of Chautauqua county
residents are up in arms and threaten TO
make Louis McKinstry, secretary OF Speak
er Nixon of the Assembly, wish he had new
er said that John was nothing but long
shore carpenter. Mr.. McKinstry gave utter
ance to those unfortunate words at dln-
ner held in the Columbia Hotel at Ere
donia i'm honor of Forefathers day, and
now a social war is wagingI
A more comprehensive view of this situa-
ton may be obtained when II is explained
that in this part of the State are the de-
Scendants of many of the revolutionary
settlers who took up holdings before the
dawn of the last century. These ScionS of
history are naturally proud of their aristo-
cratic ancestry and take i'll any sighting
reference to the honor or reputation of
their forefathers. Two families of FIRE.
donna are especially incensed at Mr.. Nc
Kinstrys insinuations. for they declare
that they have the documents which show
Alden. the STRIPPING of Plymouth and friend
of Captain Miles Standish. They have rela-
tives who, of course, take up their side OF
the question with vehemence, and at pres
ent the outlook for a pleasant and profit
able social season is somewhat clouded. 1t
is expected also that the whirlwind will
raise, the dust in other parts of the State.
for the descendants of John Alden are be-
coming more numerous every year.
The seeds of this serious sectional strife
were sown unwittingly. 1T is thought, by
Mr.. McKinstry. AT the Forefathers dinner.
at which the tables were crowded, many
| descendants made appropriate addresses.
Mr.. McI<instry. when his turn came, men,
toned, apparently as a mere interesting
historical discovery, that John Alden was
| In reality not such remarkable character
as he had been made out 10 be. He said that
the Puritan youth, according to recent the
cries, was a longshoreman whom the pill
grims happened to pick up on the wharf
lar ships carpenter had fallen sick and
could not sail, Mr. McKinstry said, and the
Pilgrims, feeling that such a member of
the crew was necessity, to take care of
the furniture, eagerly accepted Alden's
proffer of assistance. His modern reputa-
ton, Mr.. Mckinstry said, was purely the
result of Longfellow's imagination, and
limited that nobody made any special claim
TO having him for ancestor before the
poem achieved such wide success.
The result of these words was indescrib-
able. Silence followed their utterance, and
cold chill fell on the warm atmosphere of
good relationship, especially in the vicinity
OF the two families from Fredonia- The
dinner Immediately broke up, and ii is said
that several persons with forefathers who
had prepared careful addresses were not
| called upon TO deliver them. Since then the
main topic or conversation has been the
words which fell from the iconoclastic lips
of Mr.. McKinstry. 1t is whispered that he
is not alone in his position, but that several
prominent families who have never laid
claims to Alden line of ancestors have
| given him TO understand that they put con-
| hdence in his historical accuracy The AL
den descendants, however. are thoroughly
aroused, and declare that any aspersions
cast upon the character of John are alb
surd and that they can produce. and intend
| TO put forward indubitabe proof of the
| purity and nobility of his family connec-
tons. Said notable social leader yester-
day:
Such statement as has been uttered is
absurd. John Alden was no common dock
yard hammer swfnger. He was a gentle
| man, and every descendant I'm whose veins
| the pure blood OF such an ancestor pulses
| as IL does In mine, Will take up the napier
| IN defense OF his outraged reputation. We
| do not have TO fall back upon the poetic
| lines OF the great Longfellow for corrobo-
/ ration or our claim. but we have documents
| OF rarity and value which prove our asser-
| tions as TO his gentiity OF blood and occu-
patton. One cannot but feel that such utter
ances as those We have heard must have
been actuated by jealousy