The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-07

Israel Putnam, whose history for TWEEN
ty-fve years teens with startling and
romantic Incidents. It was the wolf
hunt incident which gave, Putnam the
opportunity of his life. From this, his
him, and when, in 1855, the French and
Indian war began, he was chosen captain
OF a company. E,
Did Putnam command at Bunker Hill.
or Prescott7 This is still the subject Of
continued controversy. One thing is
certain, that in battle he was not clad
in a splendid blue and scarlet uniform
piece in the capitol at Washington. At
Bunker Hill he was in his shirt sleeves,
and wore an old felt hat. The wolf hunt
and the break-neck ride at Greenwich
are always favorite tales; not SO often
told is the story of Old Puts duel with
a British officer whom he had offended.
Putnam, who, when the officer appeared
upon the scene, was quietly smoking his
pipe beside a barrel of powder. Lighting
a match, he placed it in small opening
on top Of the barrel, and said indif-
ferently, 1.-THE chances are equal for
away from the explosion that followed
at once, whereupon Putnam said, You
are just as brave man as thought. -
The barrel, it seems, was filed with
vegetables with only thin layer of
powder on top. .--.
Israel Putnam's cousin Rufus was re-
garded by Washington as the best en-
lean. He had charge Of the engineer
ing work at Roxbury, which resulted
in driving the British out Of Boston.
He took part in fortifying West Point,
and in that way saved the army Of
Washington near White Plains. There
has been but one Washington, but one
Franklin, but one Marshall. It may
not be claimed for Rufus Putnam that
his was one of the great intellects of
the world, but he has right to rank
with these three men by reason Of the
! fact that but for what he did the cause
Of Washington and liberty would have
been lost on at least four great occa-
sions.
Rufus Putnam was sent out by Wash
ington, at the close of the revolution,
to explore the northwest. He is called
the father of Ohio, and his name is
held in veneration in that state.
Nathaniel Hawthorne had Putnam
blood in his veins; 50 had Edward Bel
lamy. The Putnam family intermarried
with that Of the old Puritan governor
Endicott, and thru Enoch Putnam, who
of John Alden, Mayfower affiliations
may possibly be claimed.
characteristics Of the Putnams arc
good physique, Saxon features, ever
temperament, high principles, honest
intentions, fxity of purpose, patriotism
and a greater inclination to lead thar
to be led. It was said of Israel Put
nam, "He always dared to lead wher,
any dared to follow
Descendants of John Putnam, settler
are entitled to the arms reproduce<
which are sable, a stork argent, beaket
and legged -gules, between eight crosse
crosslet- ftchee. argent. Crest, wolf
head gules. John. Putnam never USE
> the arms, altho entitled to them, a
r head Of the family. The arms of tn
Mohawk valley acknowledgements
, Of Jan Poutnam or Pootnam-are gules
) on Jesse argent, between three boar
heads erased close, or, a lion passan
o sable. Crest, boar's head or tus
: argent, Motto, "Deum Non Alliu1
f Timeo.'
leased to give any assistance to those il
dress her in. care Of The journal.