Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-14
ERENcHS fiINUTElIAlV

u pcon DuL u snort Time since Il
kYHkfYn heard you trace upon your maps
the route of the British red
dWkts as they marched on their hostile err
rand and OF Paul Revere. when he took his
famous ride. As have returned from
a trip to Lexington and Concord, will
write you regarding 1t.
The day we selected was a glorious one
for q ride and It was a glorious ride we
were to take. Starting from the Washing
ton elm. where a number OF gentiemanly
Cambridge boys offered post cards and
refreshing lemonade for sale or to act as
guides to points OF interest. we were soon
riding through Arlington with it's pleasant
cid homes and later on the Concord turn
pike following the track taken by Dawes,
the messenger of danger and by Smith,
with his files OF destroying redcoats, on
that starlit April night.
In those days the highway TO Lexington
ran through farm lands with but an oc-
casionai house, One hundred and thirty
five years In this country makes quite a
difference In the looks of things and we had
to keep this constantly in mind. Arlington
was then known as Menotomy the next
section was called Cambridge Farms and
Lexington village was collection of a few
houses grouped about the meeting house
on the green and population in all of
about five hundred Since then roads have
been wldened. hills leveled, valleys filled,
streams obiiterated. villages merged into
towns and towns into cities. We were now
riding through stretches Of green fields,
patches Of woodland, trim market gardens
and suburban estates with here a modern
house and close beside 1t a patriarchal
relic OF colony days.
We atorrad ar aUary tahlof aa4 In fav,ca
or wall or house front. telling that here
such an event occurred or that there lived
such one who participated in the fight,
until at last we climbed the slope where a
mounted cannon, carved In stone, pointed
toward the clustering houses OF Lexington.
Lexington of today is a large, pleasant
New England village with brick business
blocks. spacious houses, modern schools
and churches and signs of trade and life.
There are trees everywhere. whose leafy
boughs cast a grateful shade upon the
broad street and the triangular plot of
green where we alighted-the battlefield of
Lexington Common, marked by a pulpit
shaped monument OF red granite where the
. old meeting house stood.
You know how the fight came about, but
let us recall 1t. The tea had been thrown
overheard and trouble was brewing. The
British were on the hunt for hidden war
supplies. Gage had sent soldiers to collect
or destroy powder and stores, He sent
them to Concord and they were to arrest,
on the way. those two persistent rebels.
John Hancock and Samuel Adams. The
secret leaked out the signal lanterns were
displayed in the North church OF Boston
and Paul Revere and william Dawes rode,
by different roads toward Concord, spread
ing the alarm. On that very night Of the
18th OF April. Gage sent Colonel Smith with
800 soldiers on the errsnd Of destruction.
The troops were ferried across Charles
river marched across the marshes. strik-
Ing tho Concord highway. passing through
Arlington and Lexington. where we stood.
by the monument and near the elm tree
planted by President Grant. April 10. 1876.
stood the old square box-like meeting
house. facing the street up which marched
Major Pitcairn and his six companies Of
light infantry and marines sent in advance
by Colonel Smith TO clear the way and ar
rest Hancock and Adams. Lexington as
you know, had been warned by Paul
Revere and at o'clock in the morning the
bell OF the church which hung. not in the
church steeple. but In an odd belfry on the
ground near, rang out the summons. The
Lexington farmers (who were called min
ute-men, because they were pledged 10
rally in case of danger 'at a minutes
notice") hurried TO the meeting house. but
as there were no signs of the British. were
dismissed At $50 o'clock news came Of
the advance; the drums beat to arms out
OF the Buchanan tavern and four other
houses near the minute-men came hurrying
TO the common. Their leader was Captain
John Parker, big, brave man. He drew
his men in line. sent such as had no am
munition into the meeting house where
powder was stored and then he said;
stand your ground Don't fire unless fired
upon; but II they mean to have war. let
II begin here"
Here then they stood, seventy Lexington
farmers. against they knew not how many
British soldiers, trained in the art OF kill
ing. Through the dim light OF the early
morning came the redcoats. They halted
near the meeting house and Major Pitcairn
rode toward the Americans. Dispense ye
Villains; ye rebels, dispersed he com
manded. But they WOULD not. They were
not there for that purpose.
Pitcairn flourlshed his sword and again
commanded them to dispense. and stll they