Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-11

, hot battle. is told with vivldness In
this book
1t is from this Samuel, whose ro-
mantle and generous settlement OF
Lebanon, New York, has sprung most
oil the Felts of America. RE was an
officer In the French and Indian wars
was a trusted friend OF Governor
Trumbull. Along down the lines OF mis-
descendants are found orators, states
men. pioneers. philanthropists, schol-
ars. and soldiers
An interesting incident is also con-
talned In the story of Capt. John Felt,
who at the opening OF the Revolution
airy war, residing in the North Fields,
portion of Salem, Mass. He was d
tall, muscular man. and endowed
with the courage OF his convictions,
one who In an emergency proves to
be the right man In the right place.
This was we'll shown at the time of
tho British invasion of Salem by Col.
Leslie. Feb. &C. 1775. when by the
firm stand of Capt. Felt the opening
conflict of the revolution (Which was
precipitated seven weeks lated at
Concord) was here avertcd. Had a
man of less firmness and weaker
Judgment stood In his place, in all
probability the first battle of the war
would have been fought at the North
Bridge. Salem
TIC lpilcNlHR WnlVn Is uTttWn large
ly from an address by Charles NJ
EndIcott. Esq, before tho Essex In
stitute of Salem, is brief history of
tho event:
AT this time the bridge over the
North river and the causewhy over the
flats WAS owned by Jonathan Ropes
jeremiah Hacker Thorndike Proctor
and John Felt
Mr.. Endicott, speaking of Capt Fclt
Il
liberty. and the rcSolute and daring
enemies of oppression and arbitrary
power, stood Capt. John Felt. who,
without disparaSement to others, ap-
pears entitled TO the distinction of
the hero of the British repulse at the
North Field Bridge. He was at this
time about 80 years OF age. His frame.
square, strong and muscular denoted
him a man whom IL would he the part
of prudence to avoid in single combat.
His love Of Independence and hatred
of trHranny mad shown through his
whole life. and with these qualities
was blended the most intrepid reson-
ton. There lived no one In whose
heart Glowed warmer love for the
liberties of his country. and no more
ready TO peril and II need be TO
cause"
The object of the invasion by Col
Leslie was to take possession of a
dozen or more cannon which had been
collected by the citizens for the pur-
pose of resisting British aggression
should occasion require and which
were Secretcd on the north side of the
North river
Col. Leslie landed his force on a
retired spot on Marblehead Neck and
marched swiftly towards Salem, but
the news of his movement had pre-
ceded him and when he arrived he
found the draw of the bridge open
and guarded by large number of
citizens masSed upon the north shore
As he passed the court house he was
Joined by Capt John Felt who at
tached himself closely to Col Leslie
with the avowed intention of making
things hot for him personally should
he order a commencement of HOSTILE
Ties. He afterwards stated that it was
his Intention to grapple with Col.
Leslie had the troops fred upon the
people and to jump with him into the
stream there to try the death strug-
gle together.
Col Leslie, upon finding the draw
open. demanded that it be Immediately
lowered and demonstrated with the
people for Insulting his soldiers and
obstructing the kings highway, "This
is not the kings highway" was the
reply "lt is a private way belonging
to the proprietors of the North Fields
and no king or country has any con-
troll over IT." The indignation of the
colonel at having his designs thus sud-
denly and unexpectedly baffled. was
excited almost to frenzy and he
demanded that the draw
be Immediately lowered He stated
that he had been ordered to cross the
bridge and he would do so II 1t cost
his life and the lives OF his men. His
wishes not being compiled with he
finally turned to an officer and said.
You must face about this division
and fire upon those people" Capt.
Felt then called out sufficiently loud
% be heard by the people: Fire. you
have no right to fire. II you do fire
you will all be dead men" "Where are