At that period the town was largely populated by English railway men and mechanics who had been brought here by the Grand Trunk Railway Company when the road opened up a short time before. There was also a considerable number of retired naval and military veterans in the town and neighborhood, some of whom had fought under Nelson and Wellington. All of these took a keen interest in the fate of the British army in the Crimea, and were naturally overjoyed at the defeat of the enemy and of the victory achieved.
Sebastopol fell on Sept. 8, 1855, and the war was virtually ended.
Montreal, Toronto and every town and village in Canada celebrated the event with the greatest delight, but it is safe to say that nowhere was there more hearty rejoicing than in the capital city of the Eastern Townships on the occasion referred to.
How a Duel was Prevented.
One day during the winter 1856 I received a telegram from Richmond, a station on the Grand Trunk Railway, about 25 miles distant, addressed to the High Constable at Sherbrooke to the effect that a party of gentlemen were on the southbound train with the object of fighting a duel when the American frontier was reached, the party consisting of the principals, seconds and surgeons, and to have the whole party arrested.
Seeing the importance of the message due measures were taken to have it delivered promptly. The minions of the law were duly on hand and secured their prey on the arrival of the train. The party were much surprised, as they had taken every precaution to keep the affair a profound secret and were ignorant as to how the matter had leaked out. All were placed under arrest and escorted to the Magog House. They had come from Quebec. The nature of the quarrel I am unable to say.
They were brought before a magistrate and admitted the object of their journey, when each and severally were released on their own recognances. All promised to abandon their evil intentions and return to the ancient capital forthwith.
Having nothing special to interest them for a time they adjourned to the bar-room of that famous hostlery, then carried on by Mr. Cheney, the flowing bowl passed round with the result that a reconcilation was effected, and the rest of the evening spent in harmony and good feeling.
The only one who refused to come to terms of amity was one of the sawbones of the party! He would have none of it.