The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-06-17

was settled by Quakers. Ills name
was Forgiving Johnston, and he was
one OF the pillars OF the Society OF
Friends, whose principles were that II
they were attacked forcibly they must
not resist. He was looked up to as a
shining example OF peace and patience
During the Revolutionary war Phil.
adelphia was occupied for a good deal
OF the time by the British troops.
Grandfather Johnston lived IN the sub
urbs, and since he raised chickens
and garden truck, as well MS working
a dairy, he was often plundered by the
British soldiers. who came out from
the city 10 forage ON the country lie
was strong patriot, but as n Quaker
would not resist the foragers. or
course his nOnresistant principles be
came known among the soldiers, and
since they could rob him with less dan
ger than fighting man they confined
their attention 10 him till they had
well nigh stripped him OF everything
he possessed.
Ills children were obliged TO bear
all this, for none OF them dared oppose
him, but finally there came time
when they banded together TO stop the
| plundering. There were Pardon and
Daniel his two Daniel was my
| father-and Patience and Prudence,
his two daughters. The boys conspired
| together that the next time a party OF
redcoats came on 90 the premises they
| would drive them off. OF course they
could not do this with slaves; they
must use firearms. They made loop
holes I'm the wooden walls of the barn
and gathered there stock of muskets
and ammunition.
The first thing the old man knew he
heard firing I'm the direction Of the
barn. Looking out through n window,
he saw half dozen soldiers chasing
! his chickens about and puts OF smoke
emanating from the sides OF the barn
| He understood what was going on and
stepping ont on to the roof OF the front
porch. called out I'm loud voice TO his
sons:
"'BOys. cease this firing. II Is better
that every chicken I'm the yard should
be taken than one drop of blood should
! be drawn"
but either the boys did not hear him
or If they did they paid no attention
: 10 his command. One OF the soldiers
| fell, and his comrades ceased chasing
/ the chickens ana turned their attention
to those in the barn. The troopers
had short guns with them. for they
were mounted men and they began a
! fusilladc, which drew more rapid fire
/ from my uncle and my father I'm the
] barn
The old gentleman when he found
that he could not stop his boys fight
ing, stalked back and forth on the
porch roof. struggling with his desire
to enter the fray himself After n
time he went into the house and
brought ont his rifle but got the better
OF his pugnnrity. stood the gun up
against the house and resumed his
walk II was said that his lips moved
In prayer 10 be saved from the sin OF
fghting
"One of the girls. Prudence. was in
the barn with her brothers, and she
was firing through n loophole. The
Johnstons' ammunition was running
low, and If not replenished they would
lose the fight Prudence volunteered
TO run the gauntlet TO the house and
bring them more powder and lead,
urging upon her brothers that the sol
dlers would not shoot a woman. They
finally consented. and. emerging from
the door. she ran like the wind TO the
house
The old man saw her coming and
surmiscd what for. He shouted 10 her
TO run fast and at the same time, for
getting himself, used unseemly Ian
guage to the soldiers, who were firing