Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-19

FeStlEe OF grave. ana, monument rom the place. Tradition alone determines the spot where the noble captain and probably the greater part Of the first band of planters were buried.
 A Fearless Leader.
 Mason was man of great prudence and sagacity, wise in council and he roic in the field of action. The natural ardor of his mind, fostered by early military adventures. and continually called into exercise by great emergen- cies. made him fearless leader in war. Sturdy in frame and hardy in consti- tuition, regardless of danger fatigue or exposure, he was invaluable as a pioneer in difficult enterprises and a founder of new plantations. He was also religious man and a patriot of virtuous habits and moderate ambition. Though he sustained many high and honorable offices in the infant colony he is best known by the simple title of captain. There is a tradition that af- ter he had retired from the public ser vice and was quietly residing with his received of some disturoaree among the Indians. either at Groton or Ston- ington. Mason innm edietely collected about so volunteers who hastily throw Ing their. wallets. over their shoulders containing provisions for two or three days, started for the scene Of action. They crossed the Shetucket by fording a little higher up than where the
 
 marched directly to the spot where the Indians had fixed their camp. cf1as- tised them, destroyed their fortthca- tions and many of their huts, and re- turned in three days without losing man. It was for promptness and de- cision like this that Mason was ever characterized Trunbull comprises his peculiar traits in these few words: 'He was tall and portly, full of martial fire, and summed no nardsnips or dan gers in the defense and service of the colony
 The Pequots AssaiIed.
 The Pequot war commenced at q time when Connecticut had only 250 inhabitants. com prised principally in the three owns Of Hartford Wethers- gathered a, band of 70 men and pass ing down Connecticut, river landed in the Narragansett' country and being joined by a band of friendly Indians, marched directly into the heart of the hostile territory, ass1iled the Pequots in their strongest fortress, destroyed it, laid waste their dwellings and kill ed nearly half of the whole nation. This expedition occupied just three weeks. The skill. prudence, frmness and active courage displayed by Mason in this exploit were such as to gain him high standing among military commanders Viewing his conduct at this distance of time, we are disposed to charge him with cruelty to the van quished foe;' but the same taint Hes on all the early colonists. He only shared in the ferocious character of the age and, we may add, in that mis- construction of the spirit of Christian ity which devoted it's enemies to inn mediate and vindictive destruction.
 Among the various offices held by Mason was that of major general of the militia of Connecticut. duty which obliged him to call out and ex- ercise the militia of each town 10 times a year: salary, 40 pounds per annum
 The first burial place in Norwich Conn.,, 1167, in which is located the Founders monument. The money was donated for the same in 1859; the mon ument was erected in 1871.
 Putnan1's Adventure.
 It has been a matter of surprise that no account has been discovered in any contem porary newspaper of Putnam's adventure with the bear. The first de- tail report of that famous exploit would seem to be that in his own biography prepared by Colonel Hum, phrey,- 17Ss, under the direction of General Putnam himself, and Dr. Albf- gence Waldo. The following extract found in copy of the Norwich Packet, 17S4, shows what extraordinary yer sions had attained circulation in Eng land:
 In Ponnfret lived Col. Israel Putnam, who slew a she bear and her two cubs OQ.H this action brought him into public notice; and, it seems, he is one of for tunes favorites. The story Is as fol- lows: In 1154 a large sine bear came in the night from her den, which was three miles from Putnam's house, and took a SOW out of a pen of his. The | SOW. by her squeaf1ing awoke MT. Put 1 nam, who hastily run in his shirt to ! the poor creature's relief: but before | he could reach the pen the hear left it | 2 nd F1 her mouth. MT. Putnam took up a | billet of wood and followed the scream | ings of the sow till he came to a foot | of a mountain, where the den was. | Dauntiess. he entered the horrid cav | ern, and after walking and crawling | upon his hands and knee for 50 yards, | came to roorny cell, where the bear | net him with great fury. He saw nothing but the fire Of her eyes: but | hat was sufficient for our hero; he l accordingly directed his blow which | 1t once proved fatal to the bear, and | saved his own life at most critical moment. Putnam then discovered and 1illed two cubs; and having, though | n Egyptian darkness. dragged them md the dead SOW, one by one, out of he cave, he went home and calmly 'eported to his family what had hap ,ened. The neighbors declared, on yiewinE the place by torchlight. that iis exploit exceeded those of Samson ,r David. Soon afterwards the general assembly, appointed MT. Putnam a ieutenant in the army marching Igainst Canada. His courage and good conduct raised him to the rank of a ptain the next year. The third year ie was made ag ma Sor: and the fourth colonel. Putnam and Rogers were he heroes through the last war. Put lam was so hardy, at time when the indians had killed all his men and completely hennmed him in upon a iver. as to leap into the stream, which in a minute carried him down stupendous fall where no tree could ass withot ubeinz torn to pieces. The indians reasonably concluded that Put am, their terrible enemy, was dead, nd made their report, accordingly at but soon after a scouting Iarty found their sad mistake in s loody rencounter. Some few that got if declared that Putnam was yet 1iv nz and that he, was the first son Of Fobbamoea<ow and therefore immortal. However. at length the Indians took his terrible warrior prisoner and tied