St. Joseph County Independent, Volume 20, Number 49, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 29 June 1895 — Page 2

BUNKER HILL BATTLE MEMORABLE EVENT IN THE STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY. Where the American Patriot’s Mettle Was Tested Gallant Defense in, Which the Revolutionary Heroes Showed Their Courage and Darins. Fisht on Breed’s Hill. ONE of those engagements in the revolutionary war which tested well the mettle whereof Americans were made was the <«ht on Breed’s Hill, which by common ssage is known as the battle of Bunker Hill. The courage, heroism and bravery of those raw and comparatively untried troops when facing men who had won great victories over the best drilled armies •f Europe, is something to marvel at. As the story of it is a tale which can never grow old, it is becoming to tell it now. In the summer of 1775 the British soldiers were stationed in Boston under Gen. Gage, while the American forces were mostly gathered at Cambridge. Near the former city were two small heights eonaected by a ridge and known as Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill. The latter of these eminences, the Americans learned, the British intended to capture on the sight of June IS and afterward build a fort there, which should serve as a stronghold and a post of genera! observation. This design of the British the Americans determined to frustrate, and on the night of Juno 1(5 a party of 1,000 men

were sent to seize and fortify Bunker Hill under Col. Prescott. Gen. Israel Putnam with his force joined them, and, after some deliberation, it was decided to fortify Breed's Hill rather than the other mound. This they determined to do because Breed's Hill was nearer Boston. All that night the American soldiers S toiled, but when day- ® light came their © work was still uncompleted. Os course ; "the first dawn revealed their work to the

I 'vfe I' SB Mgga iggy BUNKER HILL MON U MEET.

enemy and as soon as their design was discovered the British vessel Lively opened fire upon them. The other British shipping joined the Lively, the enemy’s Sand forces were aroused and it was determined to give the Americans battle. Prescott was not alarmed, but kept his men diligently at work on their redoubt •nd dispatched a messenger to Cambridge lor the rest of the American forces. Soon •11 the soldiery came up, but their number was pitiably small, not exceeding 1,500, which was little when compared with the British. In order to surprise the Americans Gens. Howe and Pigot embarked their men on the Mystic river, intending to come V_ t •— J "1— lUI . 1, n n P.xll.Xjl for tIA 1V

up behind. In this he was foiled, tor the Americans caught sight of him and imme—Safely threw up breastworks, utilizing a ■tone wall and rail fence which were there between which was packed a lot of jew-mown hav. The enemy advanced up Breed’s Hill, pouring a heavy fire as they came; the Americans, however, had received orders not to tire until they could •ee the whites of the British eyes and so Say behind their defenses. Repulsing the British. E p came the British in two w ings and when they had gotten near the Americans the latter opened tire on them. Volley after volley was poured into their ranks, causing the greatest confusion. i hey pressed on; but still the Americans emptied their gun barrels, and finally the British became hopelessly discomfited and •were forced to retreat. Howe rallied his men at once and his force, reinforced by 400 marines, pressed forward for a second attack. As before the Americans reserved their fire until the British were elose upon them and then let it forth with the same deadly effect as at first. A third attack was made by Gen. Howe, now reinforced by Clinton, and the British pressed eagerly forward. The ammunition of the Americans was almost used up before this last attack, and now, after the British had come upon them for the third time, they found their supplies quite exhausted. Still the British moved on once more to •where the Americans were lying behind their ambuscade. Nothing daunted, the little band of patriots rushed out upon the enemy, using their muskets as clubs, and a hand-to-hand fight ensued. Bravely they fought and desperately, but the odds were too great, so, overcome by numbers, the Americans were compelled to retreat. This was done in good order. Warren, ■ne of the brave commanders on the

W 7 \ A'' ^’•^- \ c v '\wsur' s?\ ijh 1 GENERALS PUTNAM AND W'. ।: R EN. American side whose influence and courage were instrumental in carrying on the defense, fell shot through the head while in retreat. Gen. Putnam endeavored to rally the retreating army, but in vain. The retreat continued across Charlestown seek, and many were killed by a heavy fire from the shipping and batteries; but the British did not continue their pursuit beyond this point. The loss on both sides was extremely unequal. Os the Americans but 150 were killed and missing, and 804 wounded, while the British numbered their killed and wounded as 1,050. A picture is given of the Bunker Hill monument which now stands on Breed s Hill, a splendid memorial of this heroic struggle. It is a granite obelisk 221 feet high and can be seen from far and near. Lafayette laid the corner stone of it June 17, 1825, the anniversary of the battle, and Daniel Webster delivered one of his most eloquent orations on that occasion. ’The monument was finished in 1842 and the next year was dedicated, the President of the United States and his cabinet being present. On this occasion also Webster delivered the oration. Health is another word for temperance and exercise.

’ i AN OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIOrT “ ( l '■ W WIWSw JD!t MP W r >

THE NATION’S BIRTHDAY. Columba, gem of the west, Peerless thou art, alone doth stand, A continent by freedom blest, Bright banners float o’er all thy land. From mountain peak to peaceful vale, From ocean depths to bubbling rill, We ever hear the same sweet tale Os peace on earth, to man good will. Os all the nations of the earth, What one can such a record show Os purity and sterling worth Among her men of years ago? On history’s page forevermore Then* names shall blend harmoniously As those who opened wide the door, Freedom for all posterity. Unfurl our glorious flag once more, Ring out in clarion tones again. Amid the glare of cannon’s roar. The nation's yearly grand amen. This day of days, alone it stands A priceless gem of lustrous hue. Secured to us by patriot hands, A loyal band to right e'er true. The Stars and Stripes, long may they wave, Grand emblem of a land that's free. Might and oppression found one grave;

Thereon was reared sweet liberty. And while the golden sunset rays In radjr flash across tin- earth We'd offer"tfp to God all praise For noble deeds that gave our Fourth. —E. Clifford Wadsworth. , AHOME-MADEFOURTII J

HE boys in and 1 about Barton expect- 1 cd every season to ' thave a good time at ' .Folly Farm, where ‘they were sure to Scongregate on the l Fourth of July to bo i entertained. Joe and t Ernest Folly were more than ordinary [‘boys, and the saying J went the rounds that A what they could not invent in the way of amusement was not worth seeing. These

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two farm boys prided themselves in doing very original things, and not infrequently' they produced very astonishing results, especially to the young city boarders in the region. The last Independence show they gave the visitors decided was the best of all. It was a tine Fourth of July night, and everybody was in the best of spirits. After it had become quite dark the older brother, Joe, announced that the first display upon the program for the evening would be a balloon ascension and a shower of dewdrops. Ernest brought out an armful of tissue paper of various colors, which proved to be a home-made balloon. They inflated it by means of a ball of candle wicking saturated with coal oil. The burning ball was held in a light wire

frame and the flame kept from spreading by means of cardboard tube that had been thoroughly saturated with a strong solution of alum to make it noncombustible. The great paper sack soon filled with hot air by means of the tube, and began to got uneasy and anxious for an upward flight. “Let ’er go,” cried Joe; and as he” did so it was noticed that he placed a string which hung loose in contact with the flame. Away went the balloon ami all the company watched it. It had reached an altitude of perhaps 200 feet when there came the so-called shower of dewdrops. The air beneath the ascending object became suddenly filled with flashing, sputtering, glowing lights. This display continued for several minutes, a portion of the scintillating dewdrops rising with the balloon and others floating slowly toward the earth. “Splendid! Good! Beautiful!” were the expressions of the spectators. The next scene on the program was the firing of a cannon by means of a teapot of water. The cannon itself had been made by the Folly boys. A two-inch auger hole was bored into a curly maple block; the wood had been cut into the shape of an i iron gun, then some iron bands from the : hubs of an old wagon heated red hot were driven on and suddenly cooled. The expanded hot iron shrunk down so as to ■ bind the wood firmly, and after they had , applied a coat or two of black paint they > had a fine home-made cannon, but, of “ course, they had to be careful about over--1 loading the piece. The improvised gun . had been charged with powder and wad- ■ ding, and lay upon the ground all ready > for service. Joe took an old teapot, turned it over and hit it with a stick to show that it was empty, then placed it beneath ’ the pump spout and filled it to the brim with water.' After taking a swallow from

the spout ho placed it near the cannon. His wand—a piece of broomstick—was passed several times over the tin vessel while a jargon of senseless words was spoken. Ernest meantime lighted a match and | applied it to the water. Instantly a flame shot up, and placing a fuse from the teapot to the piece of artillery, the boys stopped back. A flash was followed by a loud report, and the assemblage shouted with wonder. The third display was what the rural lads termed the “fiery serpent.” Joe j produced a long, ragged cloth object that looked something like a huge black snake | with a woo len head and two irregular ■ wings. After holding it up so that all could see it, he passed out upon the lawn ; into the darkness, followed by Ernest. Presently the spectators saw a glow of i light; a crackling sound, and a peculiar I ! whizzing followed; then a stream of fire' mounted the nir with marvelous speed. The fiery serpent flew skyward higher and higher, throwing out a brilliance that ! made the lookers on hold their breath. , The sputtering, squirming reptile formed ; an are, and after a long flight catne hissing down to the earth. The visitors were really amazed. “Three । cheers for the Folly boys,” cried Ben Slade, swinging his hat. The chc<4s were given right heartily, followed by altigcr. !

lx plannt mi. I 1 “Now. toll tie how it 1 , begged, and Joe explained. ■ I , “The shower of dewdrops.” heßygan. ' “was produced by attaching a lotM^long tine threads to a wire rim at theW! eof the balloon, to which were fastened the strings taken from a lot of firecrackers, . interspersed with little rolls of tissue paper containing wet and dry powder. Some of these became detached while burning and floated earthward, while others wer» carried on. A slow fuse kept those upon the threads from igniting until the balloon was well up from the earth.” “But the tiring of the cannon with a teapot of water?” “The old teapot contained a little coal oil, which 1 was careful not to turn out when upsetting the vessel. Os course it arose to the top when the water was put in, and was easily ignited." The boys laughed heartily. “That was a good one. Now what of the fiery serpent?” “That was a mass of rags and cotton, very slightly dampened with benzine, and rolled into the form of a snake, but it contained also a lot of wet and dry powder. The serpent was attached to a crotched stick, the end of which formed the reptile’s bead, and the branches the two wings. A stiff spring-pole was set firmly in the ground and then bent, over and held by a catch. The crotch was set aside the spring-pole at an angle of about 45 degrees, the serpent lighted and the spring-pole set loose. That threw the hissing reptile high in the air.” “Bully!” cried impetuous Fred Bruster. Shout after shout sounded out on the night air as the large company of boys left Folly Farm thoroughly delighted with their home-made Fourth of July entertainment. Fun at the Signing. When John Hancock affixed his, under and other circumsfiances, preposterous signature to the Declaration of j^f v once, he laughingly pushed tti^/ di ’ cl aside, saying: “There, John Bull may read my name without spectacles.” Again, when Hancock reminded the members of the necessity of hanging together, Dr. Franklin dryly remarked, “Yes, we must indeed all hang together, or else most assuredly we shall all hang separately!” And stout Mr. Harrison remarked to little Elbridge Gerry that, when the hanging camo he would have the advantage of him, for ho should bo dead while little Gerry would be dangling around slowly choking. And thus on that hot morning of the Fourth of July, 1776, amid the livery stai ble's buzzing flies, which the honorable gentlemen were vainly fighting with waving handkerchiefs,Was given to the world the immortal Declaration of Independ- • ence. A Fourth of July State. ’ There was a small boy once living in , Texas, j Who bought a small cannon on purpose to vex us. He poured in the powder, and said, , “They’ll be lucky 1 If soon they don’t hear from me there in r Kentucky.” f But the small cannon bust with such terri- ! ble fury That pieces—not peace—reigned from P Maine to Missouri. 1 v And Johnny was blown, with other small li boys, □ To a State which some persons pronounce a Illynolae.

WHEN WE WERE BOYS. A Picture of an Old-Tinic Celebration in the Country, “Now, Billy, don't go near them anvils.” Sammy, will you stand back, or do you want to got blowed up?" And a stranger to boys and to the custom would have concluded that Sammy certainly did want to get "blowed up," for it was the regular complaint of the men in charge that there “wouldn't be a speck of danger if it । weren’t for the denied boys crowdin’ in i so." This was at 4 o’clock in the morning of ’ a Fourth of July, years ago, in a country . village. The boys were hurrying toward I the public square, where the anvils were located, barefooted ami clad for the most i part only in low linen shirts and jean pantI aloons and buttoning the latter ns they ’ ran, for the affair was too important to be j missed on account of a little informality ■ in toilet. And close after them came two or three mothers with nervous warnings [ of caution. । The rising sun showed the whole popnI lation up, and in the country as far ns | boom of cannon or ringing of bells could : be heard there was great excitement [ among the boys, each eager to get his i breakfast and be off for the village. The I men and women came in later if it wasn't

so many from the country that the village contained or 4.000 people. If the ! season had been v> ry early “down on the sand barrons," a few watermelons were for sale, but not often, of home made beer, ginger cakes, currant pies, striped candy and the lik «, the sale was wonderful a stand under every big tree. In the village grocery the big cheese was cut and regular customers invited to taste it. “Cuba six” cigars (six for 5 cents) were so plentiful that every boy could have one. The men gave way to unwonted generosity ami whisky they had always with them "20 cents a gallon, an 1 that that's good.” Shutting up the “groceries"— they were not called “saloons” till near the war -would have provoked a riot. The speaker gave “old England" a few* vigorous whacks, pitied the “subjects of foreign despotisms,” congratulated his fellow citizens on their glorious freedom, and generally wound up with a statement that “but for our noble forefathers, who i on this day so many years age declared • these colonies free and independent, we, i fellow citizens, would have been the sub- । ject of a despotism, perhaps trodden into 1 the mire of slavery and compelled to give ■ one-third of all we possessed to the king and his soldiers."—Boston Post. Valuable Souvenirs. Visitor—Are you planting potatoes on the old battle field, farmer? Farmer —These ain’t potaters; I’m jus’ scatterin’ a few bullets for th’ Fourth of July excursionists. The Prophecy of John Adams. The approach of another anniversary of our national birthday finds the whole country resounding with the note of preparation for its celebration. The prophecy of John Adams that the day would be ushered in by sound of cannon and ringing of bells and blazing of fireworks has been realized ever since that auspicious day when the old bell in Independence Hall first pealed in joyous tones the birth of a nation. Changes incident to our adi vanced age have brought a change in the modes of celebrating this great day, but , the same patriotic spirit lives and breathes in all parts of the country and finds its own mode of testifying that patriotism. > His Busy Day. Cobble—l called on Dr. Probe to-day 1 and the servant said unless It was very important he couldn't see me. Stone— Why not? Cobbie—He is resting up for the Fourth , of July. Hit the Mark. Briggs—While I was on the piazza with 1 Miss Lingerly last night her little brother threw a firecracker right into her lap. e Griggs—He was aiming at you, I sup-, pose.

UNION OF TWO SEAS. FORMAL OPENING of GERMANY’S NEW CANAL. Grand Celebration of a Triumph of Modern Kngineerinc-International Naval Flotilla One of the Features —lmportance of the Waterway. Loon to Commerce. The most important event in the history °r B-.,:' Onn ; ln since the crowning of William 1. ni the palace of Versailles was tae opening of the North Sea and Baltic canal. This recently completed waterway was formally opened to commerce Thursday, with international ceremonies atton’ed with splendid fetes, at which the governments of the civilized world were represented. Four of our crack cruisers, the New York, Columbia, San Francisco and Marblehead, and vessels of other nations took part in the splendid naval review. Kiel during the festivities presented a strikingly effective appearance. The flags of all nations were hoisted along the AlmH BMPEROB WIT LIAM OF GERMANY, j ster. and the. sentries at the doors of the ! principal hotels denoted the presence there I of the imperial guests. Naturally the chief ! center of attraction was the seaixirt, i where the display of warships attracted i many thousands of spectators. Those of ! the United States, Great Britain, Italy | and Austria were especially admired. The > war vessels of fourteen nations hoisted ; their flags to the strains of the anthems >f their respective countries. The Em- ! peror of Germany opened the ceremony by I passing in through the canal in the im-

WXui breaking the Inui Sweden ami Norway—The reports from riiv -.t' th •ntuufr-nn.Hie.WwO?.' ” . are more gloomy than | of festivities was the laying of the last! the extreme dryness of ■- W J w r a —* J / / « ijAf “**h AZ w ce kJ Xtf Lj s ■ MAP OF THE NORTH SEA CANAL.

I 2 - stone in the building of the canal and in the international banquet which followed, this marking virtually the close of the , official program of festivities. This cere- ! mony took place Friday’ in the open air * at liottenau. The spot where the Emperor performed this ceremony was embel- ; lished by handsome designs in landscape gardening, and the lighthouse, in close [iroximity, showed already the three ; bronze reliefs of Emperors William 1., Frederick HI. and William 11. His Majesty Emperor William I. laid the corner । stone of the Baltic canal on June 3, 1887, ! and accompanied his blows with the hamj mer by the words, “In honor of united I Germany, to her permanent welfare, in token of her might and power.” The light- I house and the block of masonry into which i the Emperor placed the finishing stone were surrounded by enormous scaffoldings rising amphitheatrieally in a semi-circle and affording seating room for about 15,000. From these seats the whole space where the banquet took place and the bay where the international naval demonstration came off could be overlooked with ease. The grand banquet, at which 1,000 guests participated, including the diplomatic representatives of the various nations, was given in a structure of original design, the latter being based on an idea of the Emperor himself. The structure , was a sac simile of a huge vessel of ancient construction as in vogue in the sev- ! enteenth century. Canal Cost $38,500,000. After the labors of eight years and an expenditure of about $38,500,000, with labor obtained at 75 cents a day. the great • canal which joins the Baltic sea to the ' German ocean is open for use. It inter--1 sects the peninsula of Schleswig-Holstein 1 from Brunsbuttel, near the mouth of the Elbe river, to Ht»ttenau, on the Kiel bay, and opposite that city, a distance of about , fifty-nine miles. For centuries vague projects connecting the North sea and Baltic ocean had been discussed, no less than sixteen different scheipes having been advo- ( cated since the sixteenth century. It was not, however, until 18S7 that the foundation stone of the present waterway was laid by Emperor William 1., and since i then the work has been rapidly pushed, r being finished within the stipulated time. IThe canal is 217 feet wide at the surface, 86 feet at the bottom and 30 feet deep, thereby accommodating the largest ves-

sels afloat. The rate of speed through th* canal will be five miles an hour except hi cases of war, when battleships can go at their swiftest rate. Four railways and ten highways crossing the canal have been bridged at such a height or provided with draws that they will admit the highest masts afloat. In the construction of the waterway 67,000,000 cubic yards of earth were excavated and from 5,000 to 10 000 men were constantly employed. The effect of the Kiel canal will be to shorten the_ distance to the Baltic cities and save 35,000 merchantmen of all nations from rounding Denmark and braving the dangers of the Skager Rack and Kategat. This will be a blow to Copenhagen, but will save the loss of 200 vessels annually on the jagged reefs and islands oil the .Swedish and Danish coasts. In a military sense the canal more than doubles t.ic effectiveness of the German fleets. In time of war they can be shifted from the Elbe to the Baltic in a few hours, while an enemy will be compelled to navigate the dangerous channels embracing the whole peninsula, losing two or three days in the circuit. The new canal, which Germany owes to the reign of William 1., must be regarded as one of the mftst im- , portant enterprises of the last decade. REPORTS ON FOREIGN CROPS. Prospect of a Good Yield in Great Brit, nin Reduced Acreajje in France. The condition of crops in foreign countries is attracting much, attention at the present time, and the reports thereon issued by the Agricultural Department are quite full. The main reports are as follows: Great Britain —The varying conditions of weather have already affected the prospective hay crop, which cannot now be an average, owing to the absence of rain. The imports of hay are returning to the averages which existed before the great drought of 1893, the figures for April being 8,121 tons (of which 5,256 came from the United States), against 35,560 tons in April of last year. Cereals throughout the country look promising and the prospect is for a very good crop. France—The greater part of May has been unusually cold, but considerable rain has fallen and winter growths are in fine condition. Spring sowings are also reported as doing well. Authorities anticipate a wheat crop of 289,000,000 to 290,000,000 bushels, a falling off from last year, due to reduced acreage. Germany—An average wheat crop is now expected, but all reports concur in estimating the rye crop as under the average. Austria-Hungary—Not withstanding sufficient moisture, the prospects for cereal crops is characterized as a bare average, owing to the damage done by the extremely cold antecedent weather. Roumr.nia—The spring crops have been planted under favorable condi ions. Wheat I and rape seed are reported as doing well. Russia —The general tenor of reports is I unsatisfactory. Spring seeding aceomi plished very late in northern and central i governments. From the Caucasus the i reports are favorable. Extensive floods ' are reported from Poland and the southwest districts. Drought and black frost have effected some injury, it is reported, ' in the Black Sea district. ; i i A’

generally admitted that both wheat and rye crops will be disappointing. The season is very late and heavy frosts have ! continued well through the month. Italy—The weather has been favorable and a good average crop is expected. Belgium and the Netherlands—Season backward, but every indication of good average crop. Spain —Extremely cold weather for the season has cheeked growths, but cereals are generally reported as in favorable condition. PROSPECTS FOR GOOD CROPS. Reports Indicate a Heavy Yield in the West and Northwest. Recent crop reports are to the effect that the outlook was never better than it is now. Along nearly ail the Western rail- — way systems the winter wheat crop is being harvested, and will be about half of wiiat is considered: normal. Rains have recently fallen over the entire West, particularly in Illinois, where complaints were being made of damage to hay, and near the southern boundaries, to oats. The actual damage to oats, however, will not affect general results. Spring wheat looks well, both in the West and Northwest. Prospects for a good corn crop are all that could be desired, all reports received merely adding to the favorable outlook. In Illinois hay is: short, as it is also in J southern Missouri, but in lowa, Nebraska, Colorado, and especially M’yoming, large ’ yields may be depended upon. Potatoes and fruit promise well, and the recent rains have led the farmers to put in late crops of potatoes,, corn, and flax wherever there was an acre available. In some sections of Illinois grain has had more rain than was good for it, though in the same districts corn has held its own. Oats cover a la/ge acreage everywhere, and with the possible chance of lodging through storms or local damage from “rust," which may come later, with ‘extreme heat and moisture together, the crop sjems assured. An unusually large amount of sugar beets has beeu planted in eastern Nebraska, showing that farmers have confidence in that crop, notwithstanding past failures. Railroads are preparing to move an immense harvest. Charles S. Graham, an artist, formerly of Chicago, has mysteriously disappeared j from the Hotel Mateo, San Francisco.