Norwich bulletin., 1922-06-09
oRRIN TALBOT AWARDED
STEAMSHIPS

THIRD ESSAY PRIZE
a Broadway school boy. orriu TaIno,
son OF Mrs. E. 6. Talbot of No. a.
Perkins place. is the winner of the
third prize of So and a certificate Of
honorable mention in the essay contest
on Colonial history conducted by the
of America.
Essays in the contest were submitted
by Eighth grade pupils in the arr1sr
schools OF the state Young Talbot
wrote upon Israel Putnam. Hero Of
Won-Den His essay was as follows:
Israel Putnam. Hero Of the wolf-Den
history from its beginning. gives us
many examples Of men substituting their
resources and energy for lack of educa-
ton. Placed in strange and perilous
positions. where education alone would
have meant but little they have used
their natural abilities in a most remark
able way.
Some were called to open the vast
wilderness some to conquer the Inii-
ans, and others to serve in wars. Israel
Putnam was one Of these men who shows
us a splendid example Of American pa
triotism
On Hawthorne Hill IN Salem. Mass.
Israel Putnas was horn. January I.
171S, the tvs of the thirteen chill
dren of joseph and Elizabeth Porter
Putnam.
Putnam received only limited edu-
cation. but his strong body and daring
disposition were displayed In the many
adventures related of him.
A story is told that on his first visit
to Boston he was insulted by a lad
twice his size on account of his rus
tie attire and manner. He bore this
sa41,- ~
eering that he lost all patience. Turning
around. be gave the rascal q sound
| drubbling-much to the satisfaction of
on-lookers-
When Israel had attained the age
Of 81 years, he married Hannah Pope.
After this marriage he moved to Pom
| fret. Conn.,. and engaged in farming and
wool growing. Here a very notable
event occurred which vas destined to he
always closely associated with the name
Of Putnam.
For some years an old she-wolf had
been infestinE the region around rom-
| fret. Notwithstanding the many effn-' c
TO capture her, she always evsded
them. returning the following year with
her young The farmers succeeded in
capturing most of the young and she
was nearly caught. when her foot was
| fastened to a trap. but she escaped by
tearing the claws from her foot. One
| night, this she-wolf made an onslaught
on Putnam's stock. killing seventy OF the
sheep and goats and wounding many
others. Putnam was appalled,. He and
several other men formed party for
the capturing Of her Fortunately, a light
snow had fallen. enabling them to trace
her tracks by the wounded foot as far
as the Connecticut river and then back
to within three miles of Putnams farm,
| where her den was located.
| Soon the news had spread. bringing
other men with guns and sulphur for
smoking her out The whole daT vsS
spent in trying to disiodge her from her
hiding place but without effect The
dogs returned painfully wounded and
refused to enter the cave again. The
sulphur proved useless.
Putnam asked his negro servant to &c
into the den to shoot her, but he refus-
fused Not needing the remonstranceG
coat and vest, tied q rope (Which, Il
kicked was to be a signal to pull hin
out) around his legs, grasped birchbari
torch and crayied into the den.
The entrance was about two Zee
square and very slippery on acc ,un. o
the. Ice. The den descended oblieiiely II
feet then horizontally 10 fee. and thel
gradually aseepded to the eud OF the
den.
Crawling slowly DIVA to the level pa
and continuing until 70 rsa.1cd tie grad
ual ascent. Putnam saw the fiery eve
of the wolf, as she CT orce d at che cEi
Of the cave. growing nnd gnash'ng he
teeth. He gave the arranged signal an
was pulled out so glickiy that mis- shir
was torn from his hack. and his sk;l
badly scratched.
He prersred himself for second ven
ture. this time taking his gun with hir
in one hand and his torch in the othel
He found the wolf even more Aerc4 tka
before. bowling, rolling her eyes ant
| dropping her head between her legs. Jus
as she was about TO spring upon hin
he fired and was instantly pulled on
After waiting until the smoke had clear
| ed. he went the third time into the del
he touched the nose Of the EoH With b