****************** Progressive Batavian Batavia, Genesee County, New York State October 9-1868 # 3 Bergen. John H. PARISH, one of our townsmen, who went to Minnesota some two months since for the benefit of his health, was brought back on Wednesday of this week, a corpse. He died on the cars while on his return home. The Mr. DAVIS who was injured by the falling of the Democrat Pole at this place when being raised, was more seriously injured than was at first supposed. The blow seems to have partially paralyzed his right side, besides injuring him otherwise. The Democratic flag at this place became disarranged, and a Democratic Hibernian was paid $1.50 to climb the pole and "arrange things." He climbed the pole and afterwards took another man's horse without asking (an act which, had he been a Republican, would have been called stealing,) and put out. The horse was found about three miles away and the appropriator arrested, but was allowed to settle for fifty dollars. On Thursday last our Congregational Church, which has been undergoing thorough repairs, was re-dedicated. Sermon by Rev. Mr. ROBINSON, of Bulah. At the close of the services S.K. GREEN and Miss Phebe MUNGER were joined in the bonds of wedlock by Rev. Mr. Van AUKEN, pastor of the church. The whole thing, dedicatory and marriage services, passed off very finely. A Biographical Sketch. The following notice of Mrs. PUTNAM which was clipped from a late Buffalo 'Commercial Advertiser,' is of local as well as general interest, inasmuch as the child, born in the lonely log house in the wilderness, was afterwards a well known and greatly respected resident of Byron, in this county, and the mother of the wife of our respected townsman, J.R. MITCHEL: The announcement of the death of Mrs. PUTNAM, in another column, deserves more than a passing notice, as she was well known in this county, having resided in the village of Aurora for the past forty-two years, her early history being interwoven with stirring scenes and events peculiar to the early settlers of our country, who were often driven from their homes and firesides by the ruthless savages of revolutionary times. Mrs. PUTNAM was born at Brandon, Rutland county, Vermont, in the year 1778, where her father, Mr. Joseph BARKER, had settled some years before. When Mrs. PUTNAM was only fourteen months old, the Indians made a descent upon her father's house, killing his sheep, cattle and horses, and destroying everything within their reach--burning his house and barns, and taking Mr. BARKER and his father prisoners. The savages told Mrs. BARKER that she might go, as they did not wish to be troubled with women and children. The country was sparsely settled at that time, and the nearest house was some seven miles distant. With snow upon the ground, and no guide or protector, and night near at hand, she set out on her lonely march for the nearest habitation, carrying her little daughter, Martha, in her arms. After traveling until dark she came to an old log house which had been occupied by the Indians not long before, and finding a few brands still alive, she kindled a fire, and there, in that dreary spot, upon that dark and desolate night, she was delivered of a daughter, with no living soul near her at the time but her little girl, the late Mrs. PUTNAM. Mrs. BARKER was found the next day by her friends, and taken to a place of safety. The little stranger born in the woods, (afterwards Mrs. WHITE of Byron, Genesee county,) lived to a good old age. Mrs. PUTNAM's father, being a strong, athletic man, in the prime of life, managed to make his escape from the Indians, after traveling with them for two days and nights, and reached Brandon after any hardships and privations. Mr. BARKER soon moved into a part of the State more thickly settled, near Bennington, where he lived until after the war, and then returned to his native town, where he continued to live for twelve years. From Brandon Mr. BARKER moved to the town of Paris, Oneida county, N.Y., where Martha BARKER, the late Mrs. PUTNAM, was subsequently married to Timothy PUTNAM, who died in 1815. Mrs.. PUTNAM was blessed with four children, three of whom are still living, and it ahs been a great comfort to her to have her children near her during her long years of widowhood. The above forms a brief outline of the early history of that Christian old lady, whose days numbered four score years and ten, and whose life was one of usefulness to herself and those around her. Having been a constant reader all her days, she had stored her mind with useful knowledge, and being gifted with a remarkable memory it enabled her at all times to amuse and instruct those about her, even up to the hour of her death. She had a pleasant word and a smile for all, and her well-known habit of looking on the bright side of everything, made her companionable to old and young, and endeared her to the hearts of all who knew her. She lived to see not only her grand children, but her great grand children, gather around her, ready to listen to her quaint stories and anecdotes of by gone years. She was a woman of remarkable energy, and seldom would admit that she was out of health, and a few days since, on her ninetieth birthday, she attended a quilting at her grand daughter's. She died as she had lived, a devout Christian in the Episcopal faith, putting her trust in Him "who doeth all things well,"-ready to meet her Redeemer in the better land. She leaves not only her relatives to mourn her loss, but many sorrowing friends and acquaintances who had known her for many years. submitted by Linda Schmidt *********************************************