EARLY DAYS IN GREENBUSH

Patrick Lynch lived near Greenbush in the latter part of the Ô30s and early Ô40s. He was an Irishman and spent considerable time riding about the country swapping horses. He traded a horse for lots eight and nine on section sixteen, afterwards known as the Henry Beam place.

During the presidential campaign of 1840, when Martin Van Buren was running against Wm. Henry Harrison, Patrick rode into the village of Greenfield on a horse possessed of high mettle, of which Patrick was very proud. Some four or five men stood on the corner near a store, talking. Patrick took occasion to ride by them shouting for Van Buren. This did not please Harvey Darneille, who was one of the men in the group, as he was a staunch Harrison man. He told Lynch to shut up and go away from there. Patrick rode around the second time, shouting for Van Buren. Harvey again told him to go away, saying: ÔÔIf you come around here again, I will fix you.ÕÕ

In a short time Lynch made another circle, riding up nearer the group and making the same exclamations for Van Buren. As he went to pass them, Harvey stooped down and picked up an old queensware crate that happened to be there. This he swiftly threw over the head of Patrick. The crate being lengthy, when one end was over PatrickÕs head, the other end dropped over his horseÕs hips after the style of a breeching.

The horse immediately became wild and frantic. Patrick in trying to hold him had no time to lift, the crate off his head. Every man in town did his best to separate the crate from Patrick and his horse, but it was not an easy thing to do. But the horse was finally caught and the crate removed. No bad results followed, although Patrick was somewhat tired and said nothing more about Van Buren.