Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-08-03
ODD OLD PAPER OF
COLONIAL DAYS
OWNED AND PRICED BY [. 3
SHEPARD, A MADISON AN
TIouARIAN.
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT BRIT.
Ish SURVIVORS OF BUNKER
HILk.

1t probably will be surprising to
some Of the best informed Americans
TO know that the British survivors %
the battle of Bunker hill were so re
duced in circumstances upon their
return home that it was found neces-
sary to supply them with food bought
by public subscription.
This is a fact that history does not
carry en- its pages. but the informa-
ton comes from no less authoritative
source than London. England, and it
came TO Madison recently in an old
newspaper printed at Boston, June Is,
1776, which fell into the hands OF l..
3. Shepard, of 226 State street. The
new owner of this newspaper is a
collector of antiques and curios, and
the copy of The New England Chron-
icle, by which name it was known, is
valued as one of his best possessions.
More than anything else. it shows
the remarkable strides made in jour
nalism since the days OF the revolu-
lion. Advertising and news were
mixed, but the former took on more
the dignity of announcements than
commercial solicitations.
The Grand American Congress, in
session in Philadelphia, IS given three
columns on the first and second pages.
Congressional news amounts to prac-
tically little except the passage OF a
law providing for a parole of such OF
the enemy as surrender themselves
prisoners of war. Private soldiers,
according to this provision, were to
be supported and fed the same as con.
tinentals, but officers were to use
their own funds. The congress news
also treat of communications re.
ceived from England, none of which
has any bearing on the revolution.
in a long list Of correspondence
paragraphs from London is this inter
esting insertion: March 21-1776-A
few days ago the shattered remains
of the 18th regiment of loot, which
was engaged in the action at Bunker's
hlll ana reduced to 20 men, arrived at
Maidstone. They consisted of two of
ficers, three sergeants, two drummers
and a band of music. A subscription
was opened for their relief"
1t will be seen from this that the
survivors of that disastrous fight re
CURED nearly year to get out Of the
United colonies and reach their
homes, for the battle was fought
June II. 1775.
One of the most interesting adver.
tisemerts is that of William Ser.
tuTne, who announces that he has
cream coloured ware for sale at his
store 10 Kirby street, next the Bunch
OF Grapes Tavern, Boston, and about
as unique but more historical is the
announcement of Cartwright G. Jer-
Wis, whose heirs are still doing bust.
ness under the same name, in which
the public is informed that "sperma.
caeti candles may be had at the large
brick store near the coffee house in
King street"
The finder Of silver watch an
nounced that he had taken up the
time piece "about a month ago" IN
another ad, the colony of Massachu-
sets wants to hire a sum Of money
not exceeding fifty thousand poJEds.'
The order Tor this ad was given two
days before, which shows that Massa,
chusetts was not amy too good with
money lenders in those days.
These and many other advertise
ments solicit answers in the fern OF
enquire of the printer
Another. interesting advertisement
informs the public that Joshua Reed
will SGT out to carry letters to Quebec
in or 10 days" and those having let
tiers to carry viii be charged one shil-
ling a letter for the service.
One advertiser offers $40 reward
for fugitive named Peter Smith
who broke from LIP. witch gaof," and
S. for two sailors who broke from the
same prison.
The only thing smacking of the
war in the classified column is this
che:
LEFT at q store in THIS town during
the siege, few articles of hardware
The owner may hear of them by en-,
curing of the printer"
The Chronicle must have been q
prosperous publication, FOR the copy
now in the capital city is marked Vol
viii, No. 40S, and the publishers were
Powers & Willis, at their office, op-
posite the new court house, Queens
street"
The sheet is yelIow-out only from
age.