The history of Dublin, N.H. : containing the address by Charles Mason, and the proceedings at the centennial celebration, June 17, 1852, with a register of families, Part 49

Author: Dublin (N.H.); Leonard, L. W. (Levi Washburn), 1790?-1864; Seward, Josiah Lafayette, 1845-1917; Mason, Charles, 1810-1901
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Dublin, N.H. : The Town
Number of Pages: 1212


USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Dublin > The history of Dublin, N.H. : containing the address by Charles Mason, and the proceedings at the centennial celebration, June 17, 1852, with a register of families > Part 49


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The membership of this lodge included men from the ad- joining towns. Stephen Harrington was from Nelson and afterwards moved to Keene. His wife was a daughter of Joseph Hayward of Dublin. His son, Asaph Harrington, was for many years the well-known proprietor of the old Eagle Hotel at Keene. He had a daughter who married Benaiah Cooke, the editor for a long time of the "Cheshire Republican" at Keene, who built the house, later occupied by Rev. W. O. White and the Dinsmoors, recently purchased for the uses of the Keene High School. Peter Tuttle was a physician of Han- cock. He died, in that town, March 13, 1828, and his funeral service was conducted by Altemont Lodge of Freemasons, of


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which he was then the Master. William Warren lived in Sul- livan. He lost his life in a storm, on the Great Lakes, in 1827. David Ames, Jr., lived in Hancock. He was a deputy-sheriff. He moved, in the twenties, to the western part of the state of New York, where he died in 1848. Aaron Lawrence was a farmer in Hancock. He moved to Weston, Vt., where he died, August 17, 1838. Hon. Levi Fisk was a prominent citizen of Jaffrey. He was in the state senate in 1835-36. Amos Heald was the head of the firm who built and, for some time, owned the brick cotton mill at Munsonville, later operated by Mr. Munson, and, still later, converted into a chair factory. Oliver Heald lived in Nelson, near Munsonville. Henry Whit- comb, when a young man, seems to have been in Dublin for a time. After his marriage, he lived in Hancock, and was the partner of his brother, John Whitcomb, in a general store. He represented his town in the General Court. His death resulted from the kick of a horse. There were other lodge members from the towns named, and, eventually, a great part of the members lived in Peterborough, which finally resulted in the removal of the lodge to that town, where it still flourishes.


Right Worshipful Broughton White, the District Deputy Grand Master, who constituted the lodge September 18, 1816, was a resident of Westmoreland and a prominent citizen of that town.


Later members of this Lodge from Dublin have been Charles A. Upton, Isaac N. Leathers, and Samuel Adams, Jr., each of whom is deceased, and the following living in 1916: Milton D. Mason, Henry D. Allison (a Past Master of the Lodge), Wil- fred M. Fiske, Walter B. Bailey, George B. Leighton, Leon A. Fairbanks, Lewis D. Eaves, Arthur T. Appleton, Herman H. Priest, Edgar H. Tuttle, Maurice S. Tuttle, George L. Tuttle, Theodore G. Safford, and Nehemiah A. Towne.


THE TEMPERANCE REFORMATION


It was not easy for the first settlers of Dublin to obtain in- toxicating drink; even cider must have been scarce, for then orchards were not grown. But, as in those days the moderate use of rum was not considered injurious, the article was oc- casionally introduced. It appears from the book in which Eli Morse kept his accounts, that he sold not only corn and rye from his grist-mill and boards from his saw-mill, but some other articles, such as paper, leather, scythes; and, in 1770,


546


HISTORY OF DUBLIN


there is the following heading, extending across two pages: "An account of what rum each man hath drawd." The draw- ing of this rum was continued from the last of April to the first of September, and the whole quantity drawn was twenty- eight gallons and one quart. It would seem, therefore, that a barrel of rum had held out four months. The quantity of rum used in town increased with the facilities for obtaining it. The selling of it was deemed a creditable occupation. From receipts left by Thomas Morse, it appears that he paid excise on spirituous liquor which he sold in 1773-75. One of these receipts, for the sum of fifteen shillings and fourpence, is signed by Richard Jenness. Another, dated Keene, January 11, 1774, is signed by Robert Gillmore.


No licenses to keep tavern and sell spirituous liquor are recorded till 1793, when James Adams, widow Betty Strong- man, and John Morse were licensed to keep tavern, and Philip Mills and Joseph Hayward to retail spirituous liquor. In 1794, Eli Greenwood was licensed to keep a tavern. In the same year, Eli Adams was licensed as a retailer of liquors and an innholder. These licenses were renewed from year to year. Among those who engaged in this business are found Aaron Appleton, Nathan Whittemore, Samuel Hamilton, Moses Marshall, Joseph Rollins, John Strong, Whitcomb French, Robert White, Jonathan Flood Southwick, Cyrus Chamber- lain, Moses Wark, Joseph Appleton, Cyrus Piper, Asa Heald, Joseph Morse, Gordon Gould, and some others.


The customs of Dublin with regard to the use of intoxicat- ing drinks were the same as in other places of the vicinity. On funeral occasions, liquor was handed round to the mourn- ers; and, though many did not approve of it, yet none had the independence to discontinue the practice, till some of the principal inhabitants agreed to do so in case of a funeral in their families. In this way, the practice was generally abol- ished, before a society was formed for the promotion of ten- perance. In April, 1833, Jonathan Kittredge, Esq., of Canaan, N. H., agent of a temperance society, gave a lecture in the First Church; after which, fifty persons agreed to organize as a society, and take the pledge of abstinence from all distilled liquors. On May 5, 1833, the society was organized by the choice of the following officers: Samuel Adams, President; Jesse Morse, Vice-President; Jonathan K. Smith, Secretary; and Thomas Fisk, Luke Richardson, Ebenezer Perry, and Daniel Fiske, Executive Committee. In succeeding years, the


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LIBRARIES AND SOCIETIES


efforts of this society were attended with various success. On the fourth of July, 1839, there was, in the forenoon, a celebra- tion of the Declaration of Independence in the usual form. The Dublin Grenadier Company paraded; a procession was formed, and marched to Centre meetinghouse; where a prayer was offered by Rev. James Tisdale, the Declaration of Inde- pendence read by Dr. Albert Smith of Peterborough, and an address delivered by Rev. L. W. Leonard; after which, the procession was again formed, and proceeded to the American Hotel (now called the Lower Inn), in front of which, under an arbor, a dinner was provided by Mr. Joseph Morse. In the afternoon of the same day, there was a temperance cele- bration, with an address by John Preston, Esq., of New Ips- wich. According to a resolution of the Dublin Temperance Society, lectures were delivered in the several school-districts; and, in the course of the season, sixty new members were added; making, in the whole, three hundred thirty.


In 1841, the temperance reformation received a new im- pulse from those who had themselves been intemperate. The societies formed under this impulse were generally called Washingtonian Societies. Their pledge was total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks. Many old societies were reorgan- ized with this pledge in their constitutions. In March, 1842, the Young People's Total Abstinence Society was formed in Dublin; and, before the close of the year, the number of names subscribed to its pledge was three hundred thirty-one. About one hundred of these were on the pledge of the former society. The whole number of persons, therefore, that had subscribed to temperance pledges, up to January, 1843, was five hundred thirty. The officers of the Total Abstinence Society in 1842 were: President, Thaddeus P. Mason; Vice-Presidents, Augus- tine Wood, Corydon Jones, Charles B. Marshall; Recording Secretary, James Hayward; Corresponding Secretary, Charles B. Marshall; Treasurer, Henry Hathorne. September 7, 1842, a lecture was delivered in the Centre meetinghouse by J. H. W. Hawkins.


There was a second temperance celebration in Dublin on the 4th of July, 1843. Rev. Zebulon Jones of Peterborough delivered an address, and a collation was provided by the ladies, in the grove on the side of Beech Hill, back of the Brick Church (which stood near the site of the residence of John A. Gleason). In 1844, July 4th, the pupils of all. the summer schools, with their teachers, assembled first in the


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HISTORY OF DUBLIN


Centre meetinghouse, where Mr. Nelson Scott of Hancock delivered an appropriate address; after which, the pupils, parents, and others repaired to the grove above mentioned, where, after partaking of refreshments, sentiments were an- nounced and speeches made. This celebration was conducted on the principles of temperance, and had the good effect of increasing an interest in the welfare of common schools.


The legislature passed a law in 1843, by which it was left optional with the selectmen of a town to license or not the sale of intoxicating drinks as a beverage. At the annual meeting, in March, 1844, the license-question was the main point in the choice of selectmen. The party opposed to granting licenses prevailed, casting one hundred thirty votes against fifty-eight. Since that time, no license for the sale of intoxi- cating drinks as a beverage has been granted in Dublin. An address, delivered by Charles Mason, Esq., of Fitchburg, Mass., November 18, 1844, on taking legal measures to re- strict the sale of intoxicating drinks, was published at the request of the hearers.


BIBLE SOCIETY


A Ladies' Bible Association was formed in 1828, auxiliary to the New Hampshire Bible Society; and a contribution was forwarded to the parent society, each year, for many years, until some time in the fifties. That association constituted the following persons life-members of the New Hampshire Bible Society: Mrs. L. W. Leonard, Rev. James Tisdale, Rev. Henry A. Kendall, Rev. Alonzo Hayes. Deacon Francis Ap- pleton, by his own subscription, was constituted a life-member of the same society. In the year 1824, Rev. Levi W. Leonard was made a life-member of the American Bible Society by the subscription of seventy ladies of his congregation, collected by Mrs. Mary Warren.


PETERBOROUGH CAVALRY


We are indebted to the politeness of Mr. Clifford Gowing for the following facts respecting the Peterborough Cavalry, of which many Dublin men have been members: -


"After the close of the great Civil War, in which Dublin suffered so severely, the military spirit of the town lay somewhat dormant for several years; but, in 1876, the martial spirit again began to make itself evident and found expression by the joining of a military


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LIBRARIES AND SOCIETIES


company in Peterborough by about fifteen of our leading citizens. This company was known as the Peterborough Cavalry, which had been organized in that town, in 1872, by Daniel M. White, Captain. The Peterborough Cavalry, at that time, was an independent volun- teer company, armed only with the sabre, and without pay; the arm, uniform, and horse equipments being furnished by the state, but each man had to furnish his own horse. From time to time, others joined, and, at the reorganization of the New Hampshire militia, every member from Dublin reƫnlisted and the men became members of Troop A, 1st N.H. Cavalry, N.H.N.G. Several of the offices of the Troop have been held by Dublin men, among whom were two buglers, several corporals, several sergeants, one first sergeant, and two lieutenants. The personnel of the Peterborough Cavalry was composed of men from the best citizens of Peterborough, Dublin, Jaffrey, Temple, Greenfield, Bennington, Hancock, and Harrisville, and the Troop, which is prosperous today, owes much of its life to the personnel of its former members."


Since those words were written, this Troop has obeyed the summons of President Wilson and gone to the border in Texas, to be ready for any duty that may in future devolve upon them. We are still hoping to be spared from any serious difficulty with the neighboring nation to the south-west of us, but, if any emergency should arise, we are certain that the Peterborough Cavalry will do its full duty like brave men.


Below is a list of Dublin men who have joined this organiza- tion, with the dates of the enlistments:


NAMES


ENLISTMENT DATES


Henry Kibling.


July 28, 1876


O. H. Moore


Corporal


G. W. Moore


Charles F. Appleton


Luke F. Richardson


James G. Piper


Sergeant


George A. Gowing


66


66 66


Rufus P. Pierce


Warren L. Fiske


Henry Dwight Learned


66


Frank A. Pierce


66


Alfred C. Frost


Washington Proctor


George B. Rice


May 13, 1879


Henry C. Piper


Clifford Gowing


66 66


Bugler, 1st Sergeant, 1st Lieutenant


John L. Allison


Aug. 26, 1879


Oscar L. Howe


Sept. 13, 1879


66


66


66


66


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HISTORY OF DUBLIN


NAMES


ENLISTMENT DATES


Joseph W. Powers


May 1, 1880, 1st Lieutenant


Charles Fred. Knight.


Aug. 16, 1880


Frank H. Weston


Aug. 27, 1880, Bugler, Sergeant


William L. Longley


Sept. 7, 1882


Edward.J. Doyle


Sept. 16, 1882


C. Fred. Wellman


March 27, 1883


John T. Crowe


April 3, 1883


Wilson B. Richardson


July 12, 1884


Sumner L. Perry .


Aug. 25, 1884


Edwin L. Twitchell


May 16, 1885, Sergeant


Joseph Doyle .


May 19, 1885


Edwin P. Baldwin


April 5, 1888


Herbert L. Wetherbee


May 27, 1890


DeLoss H. Bond


April 7, 1894


Charles E. Howe


May 15, 1895


Fred. W. Moore


March 23, 1907


Everett L. Hannaford


March 12, 1910


We have already spoken, on page 131, of THE DUBLIN CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY, which was in- corporated in 1909 to aid physicians, boards of health, and in- dividuals in sanitary work.


DUBLIN TOWN IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY


This society was organized about eighteen years ago, and adopted its constitution, August 29, 1898. Its object was to enlist the cooperation of all residents of the town in preserving the natural beauties and advantages of the region, in promot- ing the general welfare, and in carrying forward such improve- ments as may from time to time seem fitting and necessary. Any resident or taxpayer of Dublin, of either sex, or any per- son spending the summer in Dublin, could become a member of the society. The trifling assessment of fifty cents was an- nually levied upon each member. The society was not to incur a debt exceeding a hundred dollars beyond the funds on hand in the treasury, without express authority from the society. Money contributed for a specific purpose could be used for no other purpose. The first President of the society was Col. Thomas Wentworth Higginson, the first Vice-President, Henry Dwight Learned; the first Secretary, Henry D. Allison; the first Treasurer, John G. Townsend; the Finance Committee consisted of George B. Leighton, Francis M. Jencks, and Mrs. Sarah G. Pierce; and the Executive Committee consisted of Franklin MacVeagh, Henry H. Piper, Willard H. Pierce, James H. Frothingham, and Clesson E. Gowing.


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LIBRARIES AND SOCIETIES


SOCIETY FOR BETTERMENT OF CHILD LABOR CONDITIONS


In August, 1909, the Dublin Society for the Betterment of Child Labor Conditions was organized, with Joseph Lindon Smith for President; Dr. Alfred H. Childs, Vice-President; Gerard C. Henderson, Secretary; and Henry D. Allison, Treasurer. An Executive Committee was appointed, consisting of Miss Georgiana Hopkins, Miss Mary Lionberger, George DeForest Brush, Arthur T. Appleton, and Daniel K. Catlin. The objects of the society were well indicated by its name and were in harmony with the general objects of similar societies throughout the country, which are endeavoring to induce legislatures and Congress to pass laws looking to the ameliora- tion of the condition of children whose ignorant, sometimes brutal, parents, instigated by capitalists, compel them to work to earn money to support their families, with no regard for their education or training in other respects.


THE DUBLIN WELFARE ASSOCIATION


This society was formed in 1912. Its objects were to look after the roads, sanitation, forestry, and town planning. Sev- enty-four names were originally signed to the constitution. The first President was George D. Markham; Vice-Presidents, Milton D. Mason and Arthur Jeffrey Parsons; and Secretary, John A. Gleason. Committees were appointed to look after sanitation, forestry, roads, town planning, agriculture, and social conditions. The first report by the Governing Commit- tees of the association was submitted, September 1, 1913. They stated that "one year's test had proved that this Asso- ciation has brought that cordial cooperation between the per- manent residents of Dublin and the summer residents which is so necessary to the interests of both and has been so long hoped for." The society has given special attention to roads. In the village, they have secured the grounding of the tele- phone wires, the establishment of the little plat known as "The Green," between the two stores, and encouraged so far as possible the building of a new schoolhouse and the altera- tions to the front of the Town Hall. The sanitation committee, in conjunction with the Dublin Laboratory, already mentioned, and the board of health, has been of the highest service in pro- tecting the water supply, and has made progress in dealing with the mosquito and fly pests. The forestry committee was


552


HISTORY OF DUBLIN


not successful in procuring a satisfactory law to prevent "slashing" in timber cutting in this section, but it has aided in precautions against forest fires. This society was of influ- ence in securing the laying out of the South Boulevard across the State, through Dublin, from the Connecticut River to the Atlantic Ocean. It is a circuitous route, secured in part, un- doubtedly, through the influence of public men who were selfishly working for their own interests and those of their own towns, but it places Dublin in the list of Boulevard towns. This society is still in a flourishing condition, and the village and town in general are indebted to it and its promoters for many valuable improvements.


MONADNOCK GRANGE, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY


Early in October, 1884, W. H. Stinson, Grand Master of the order in this state, came to Dublin and addressed a gathering in the Town Hall upon the work, aims, and value of the Grange organization. A paper was then circulated and sixteen men and women were found ready and willing to join such a local organization. They were: Samuel Adams, Henry Dwight Learned, Warren L. Fiske, Corydon Jones, John E. Baldwin, Frank H. Stockwell, George E. Matthews, Jabez B. Town- send, Charles F. Appleton, Mrs. Jane M. Adams, Mrs. Eva A. Learned, Mrs. Emily M. Fiske, Mrs. Lilian G. Appleton, Miss Sarah F. Townsend, Miss Kate A. Adams (afterwards Mrs. Townsend), and Mrs. Fannie M. Matthews.


The persons named above were initiated into the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry, October 14, 1884, and organized the society known as Monadnock Grange, No. 103, of Dublin, N. H. They were the charter members. As a large portion of Monadnock Mountain is in Dublin, no explanation of the name is necessary.


The first officers of this Grange were: Samuel Adams, Master; Henry Dwight Learned, Overseer; Warren L. Fiske, Lecturer; Charles F. Appleton, Steward; John E. Baldwin, Assistant Steward; Mrs. Eva A. Learned, Chaplain; Corydon Jones, Treasurer; Miss Sarah F. Townsend, Secretary; George E. Matthews, Gate Keeper; Miss Kate A. Adams (afterwards Mrs. Townsend), Pomona; Mrs. Fannie M. Matthews, Flora; Mrs. Jane M. Adams, Ceres; Mrs. Lilian G. Appleton, Lady Assistant Steward.


The following persons have served as Masters of this Grange


2. Francis Allison


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LIBRARIES AND SOCIETIES


to 1916: Samuel Adams, Henry Dwight Learned, Warren L. Fiske, Fred. C. Gowing, Fred. A. Pierce, Arthur Wright, Wil- fred M. Fiske, Frank P. Fiske, Elmer H. Eaves, Mrs. Sarah G. Royce, Henry N. Gowing, Maurice S. Tuttle, Edwin G. Kemp, and Everett M. Hannaford.


The Lecturers have been: Warren L. Fiske, Mrs. Jennie N. Gowing, Rev. George W. Patten (of the Unitarian church), Mrs. Kate A. Townsend, Frank P. Fiske, Mrs. Jane E. Powers, Mrs. Mabel J. Fiske, Mrs. Sarah G. Royce, Miss Ina Eaves, Mrs. Kate A. Townsend (second term), Miss Mabel E. May, Mrs. Eva A. Learned, Mrs. Lilian G. Appleton, Mrs. Harriet E. Preston, and Mrs. Ethel M. Craig. The following have been Assistant Lecturers: Mrs. Sarah G. Pierce, Mrs. Louisa B. Willard, and Mrs. Idella M. Carey.


The duties of those who fill the office of Secretary are always more or less difficult. The following persons have acceptably filled this office: Miss Sarah F. Townsend, Mrs. Kate A. Townsend, Mrs. Hannah M. Fiske, Miss Alice M. Gowing, Wilfred M. Fiske, and Mrs. Grace B. Scribner.


The musical exercises interspersed with the Grange services have added greatly to their interest. The following have served as choristers: Charles M. Townsend, Mrs. Idella M. Carey, Mrs. Ada L. Preston, Miss Ella Porter, Edwin G. Kemp, and Mrs. Bessie M. Kemp.


A Grange paper was edited and presented to the society by Miss Idella M. Fiske (afterwards Mrs. Carey), January 19, 1886, called "The Evening Star." Its publication has been continued since, at irregular intervals. Its articles have been interesting and entertaining and added much to the enjoy- ment of the meetings.


Dublin has never failed to sustain social and literary asso- ciations for the education and improvement of the inhabitants, and the Grange came at an opportune time to assist in such work, and has been not only of much benefit to its members, but to the community as well.


NOTE. The facts respecting the Grange were communicated by Warren L. Fiske, Esq., the oldest person (1916) in Dublin.


CHAPTER XIV MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS OF INTEREST


HARDSHIPS OF EARLY SETTLERS


OF the hardships endured by those who first came to Dublin, it is not easy for the present generation to form an adequate conception. It is true their situation was somewhat amelio- rated by their proximity to Peterborough, where a grist-mill was in operation; but, during the deep snows of winter, the roads were impassable for oxen or horses. It is related that Mrs. William Greenwood, one morning in winter, put on snow-shoes, took half a bushel of corn on her shoulder, went by marked trees to Peterborough, had it ground into meal, and returned to Dublin the same day.


The first log cabins, as they had been described to us by Benjamin Marshall, were rude structures. Neither bricks, nails, nor boards were accessible; and, for dwelling places, the pioneers in the settlement built with logs what would now be called a pen, in dimensions about fifteen feet by twelve, having two doors, one on the south side, and the other on the east. For a roof, they took spruce bark, and tied it to poles by means of withes or twisted twigs. For a cellar, they dug the loose earth from the top of the ground, piled up logs on three sides, then, with bark and dirt, the whole was so covered as to ex- clude the frost. For a floor, they split white ash into planks, and smoothed them with a narrow axe. One man, it is said, was at great expense to procure boards for a roof; but, having made shingles, he fastened them to the boards by wooden pegs. For a chimney, they laid stone up to the mantel-tree, and then split laths, built them up cob-house fashion, and plastered inside and outside with clay mortar. If a few bricks could be obtained, they would lay up a pile of flat stones two or three rods from the house, and construct an oven on the top of the pile, using clay for mortar. New-comers were in the practice of taking their dough to their neighbor's oven, when one was near enough, or they baked their bread on the stone hearth by their own fire.


ROL


WILLIAM H. WALSH


CLYDE V. NEWTON


CHARLES P. CLUKAY


ALMERIN M. GOWING


RICHARD C. MERYMAN


HENRY LEIGHTON


ERNEST F. HENDERSON CLIFTON P. NAYLOR


LOUIS C. EAVES


JUNIUS A. RICHARDS JOHN LEIGHTON HARRY D. ELLIOTT


SEYMOUR L. AUSTIN PAUL F. HANNAFORD HILDRETH M. ALLISON ROGER A. WESTON


CHARLES R. THOMAS


ROBERT H. MACCURDY


CHARLES P. PAIGE


GEORGE E. LEIGHTON


GEORGE B. HENDERSON


LELAND W. GRAY


CHARLES H. PORTER


THOMAS A. HADLEY


NORMAN CABOT


DUBLIN'S HONOR ROLL


555


MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS OF INTEREST


Though bears were occasionally troublesome, yet their flesh was sometimes used as food, when they could be caught. Eli Greenwood, son of William Greenwood, used to relate, that, before he was of age, he, with his father and brother, came up at times to the west part of the town to work upon the lots which had been given them, and that, on one occasion, they had for several days no other meat than a quarter of an old bear baked. He added that his father, as twelve o'clock approached, was wont to say, "We had better not eat dinner till late; for, if we eat early, we shall not be hungry enough to get down much of the old bear."


In the year 1781, Aaron Marshall was troubled with bears in his cornfield. He set two guns at the place where the bear entered the field. The neighbors, being together at a husking, heard the report of the guns, and all went to see how it fared with the bear. They found him dead, carried him to the house, laid him down on the floor, pulled Benjamin Marshall, then a small boy, out of bed, and placed him on the back of the bear.


Wolves were troublesome as late as the year 1790. One night in December of that year, they entered the barn-yard of Aaron Marshall, killed five or six sheep, and ate them nearly all up. On opening the door in the morning, a sheep stood on the step with an icicle of blood hanging to her throat. About the same time, a lynx or catamount attacked Mr. Marshall's geese, of which the old gander gave warning by running to the house-door, and screaming at the top of his voice. The animal was caught the next night in a trap set for the purpose.




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