The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-12-29
Israel Putnam Was Real Adven-
turer

Nearly everyone in America knows
something about the exploits of Gen.
eral Israel Putnam in the war of the
Revolution, but it is not so widely
known that this famed statesman had
an adventurous career outside the
struggle for American freedom, that
in fact he was an Indian fighter and
explorer as we'll as an officer in Wash
ington's army. There is an interest
ing account of this patriots adven-
lures in the current issue of the Ma
tional Republic. 1t was written by
Rev. ]. H. F. Boese, under the title
"The Story of Israel Putnam" In
part, Rev. Boese says:
each particular epoch has pro-
duced its characters peculiar to that
epoch, men who have fitted in splen-
didly in that particular time. Their
outstanding attainments, their noble
character and their powerful influence
for good have stamped their illustri-
Gus careers in indelible words upon
the pages of history. Such person
was General Israel Putnam. He was
a man Of intrepidity and of exception
al courage. Of somewhat emotional
temperament and possessing an in
tense fervor, kindled by that patriotic
fire which burned necessarily within
his breast, he was ready to take i'm
mediate hold of any task, no matter
how difficult, throwing his whole be-
ing into the undertaking.
Israel Putnam descended from a
noble English family. His great
grandfather, John Putnam, with his
good wife, Priscilla, migrated from
England to this country in 1854,
bringing with them their three sons,
Nathaniel, Thomas and John. The lat
ter was the grandfather of the sub
ject of this sketch. Israel's father,
Joseph, having within his veins cours-
ing the blood of the daring pioneers
of the previous century, it stands to
reason that Israel should have inher-
tied many of the splendid traits of
his noble ancestors.
"It was a very unpretentious spot,
that little town of Salem, in Massa-
chusetts, where the hero of our mar
rative was born January 7th, 1718.
With its quaint f1at-roofed houses on a
very monotonous level ground and its
irregular streets, it was not very
attractive place.
ats history has not been very
complimentary and salutary due to
the days of the outrages resulting
from the witchcraft delusion which
was written in characters of blood
upon it's pages. Israel Putnam's
father was open in his disapproval of
these prosecutions. He incurred not
only the ill-will of his neighbors and
certain of his own relatives but also
Ills ll1G was cLludLISCLCu ny iho OPPO-
sition to the devlish practice. There
fore he always kept his musket ready
and his best horse saddled to be able
to flee Immediately, should he be ac-
cused of the crime.
"The name of Israel Putnam APP
pears in the annals of the French and
Indian War and in the Revolutionary
War where he is depicted as being a
person of great daring and remark
able bravery.
ALREADY in his boyhood days he
exhibited that spirit of fearlessness
which made him famous in years
to come. General Humphreys tells
an anecdote of this remarkable
lad. Young Putnam had gone to Bos-
ton and while there was chaffed on
account of his rustic appearance, by a
much bigger boy who seemed bent on
picking a quarrel. Israel stood it
for a while but at length turned to
his insulter and gave him a good