Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-06-28

Hi, jared" called First Selectman
Foster. Found the grave yet?"
Reckon l have" replied the sexton.
Ann Bassett says it's the grave OF
Theron Bassett."
After a century of somnolence the
town OF Pond Point awoke 10 the re-
alizat ton that its name was not writ
ten large on the page OF the nations
history. Indeed. ii did not appear at
all. Other towns and villages in the
state boosted Of bullet SCARED edifices,
historical taverEs and many dwellings
wherein had slumbered the immortal
Washington or the beloved Lafayette.
1t had remained for DR.. Liscom to
unearth or ut least TO disclose the
identity of q real hero of the Revolu-
tionary war. In his genealogical re-
searches the good doctor had come
across the mention of one Theron Bas-
sett of Pond Point. who had enlisted
and afterward died fighting on the
9th of August, 17T6, in the battle of
Long Island.
Notwithstanding the fact that The
only patriotic soul among the hundreds
that had populated Pond Point in those
early days. with commendable ardor
Pond Point decided upon celebration
upon the following Fourth of July.
This celebration was to come as a
thuDderclap upon the neighboring
towns. which had openly jeered at
Pond Point in days gone by.
There was to be grand parade, and
speechmaking on the green where the
churches formed a triangle. There
was to be an grafton at the grave de-
livered by the first selectman himself.
followed by the sounding of taps"
over the resting place of the neglected
hero. Then there was to be a picnic
in the grove. with free ice cream and
gorgeous fireworks in the evening.
Other towns and villages would come
and see and envy.
At last the honor of Pond Point was
to be INDICATED. DIR. Iiscom had
cousin who knew a man who was a
reporter on a New York paper. This
reporter was enjoying his annual va
cation, but he had reluctantly con-
scented to appear. Had he known what
was in store for him he might have
accepted the assignment with more
grace.
The eventful morning dawned warm
and muggy, with the promise of in
tense heat later on.
"This is proud day for Pond Point"
remarked DR.. Liscom as he prepared
to enter the carriage drawn up at the
sidewalk.
1.-The greatest day ever" responded
the first selectman. putting nervously
at his huge cigar. We've been wait
ing a long time. doctor, but today
We'll show some of those other fellows
what Pond Point can do! They say
there's a big crowd from Leetown and
Scatterbrook up at the green now"
He painted into n seat beside the doc
tor and fumbled at the roll of manu-
script in his pocket.
In the carriages were three clergy
men of varying doctrines; the Enright
brothers, lawyers and men of stand
ing in the community; superanuated
senator who was a relative of the En-
rights and the orator of the day: the
committee on celebration. and. lastly,
the reporter from New York, who sat
dejectedly beside Hiram James of the
Pond Point Clarion. rather bored at
the whole proceeding.
Up the long street. around the cor
ner by the postofice and up the incline
to the village green. where the school
house and three churches stood in
neighhorlv proximity. Here they paus-
ed and formed semicircle about the
platform which had been erected.
Dr. Liscom arose and said:
Ladies and Gentlemen-This 81 a