Rutland Daily Herald from Rutland, Vermont • 30

The Sunday Rutland Herald News The Sunday Times Argus Sunday, April 15, 2007 Israel Bissell did the work; Paul Revere got all the credit By DAVID WEBER The Associated Press OSTON Paul Revere gets midnight all the ride. glory! After for his ali, it was a stirring tale of patriotism told by a great storyteller. But one young messenger who called the colonists to. arms during a remarkable fiveday dash across five states is a footnote a man mentioned in historical documents that didn't even get his first name right. They called him Trail.

His name was Israel Bissell, and he is one of the Revolutionary War's most unheralded heroes. Bissell, a 23-year-old postal rider when the war broke out on April 19, 1775, rode day and night with little sleep during an exhausting 345-mile journey from Boston's western edge to Philadelphia. On the first leg, he rode one horse so hard that the animal collapsed and died beneath him as he arrived in Worcester, roughly two hours after leaving Watertown. "To arms, to arms. The war has begun," Bissell shouted as he passed through each little town.

Dozens of other messengers also raced on horseback to spread the word, making it likely that Revere was a composite of these brave men, said J.L. Bell, a Massachusetts writer who specializes in Revolutionary War-era Boston. In response to their cries, church bells were rung and muskets were fired: British redcoats were attacking. The American Revolution had begun. But there were no bells pealing for Israel Bissell, whose ride was obscured in history's annals by Revere's 20-mile gallop, which was so greatly amplified by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

His 11-verse poem, first published in 1860 as "Paul Revere's Ride," became familiar to gen-, erations of American schoolchildren because it was a more dramatic story. So through the night rode Paul Revere And so through the night went his cry of alarm To every Middlesex village and farm, A cry of defiance, and not of fear, A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door, And a word that shall echo for evermore!" "Very few people know about poor Israel because Longfellow wasn't writing a poem about him," said Kay Westcott, a librarian at the Watertown Free Public Library. Robert Thompson, a Syracuse University professor of television and popular culture, said the poem marginalized Bissell's accomplishment and enhanced Revere's for reasons that have little to do with fact. "Paul Revere rhymes with a lot more than Israel Bissell," he said. "And it is one of those poems that gets i in your head and won't let go.

It has a meter like the gallop of a horse. It's like taking the ride History is built on facts, but Thompson noted that facts can be overwhelmed by the fame spawned by culture, art and fiction. Christopher Columbus has been credited with discovering the New World despite ample evidence that Vikings reached North America centuries earlier. And men such as Nikola Tesla and Edwin Armstrong pioneered key developments in radio even though Guglielmo Marconi is credited with inventing it. "History is not filled with people who got overlooked, but that's because they got overlooked," Thompson said.

When he set out on his ride, Bissell carried with him: a handwritten letter dated April 19, 1775, and signed by Massachusetts militia Gen. Joseph Palmer. It read: "To all friends of American liberty, be it known that this morning before the break of day, a brigade consisting of about 1,000 or 1,200 men marched to Lexington, where they found a company of our colony militia in arms, upon whom they fired, without any provocation, and killed 6 men and wounded 4 others. By an express from Boston, we find that another brigade is now upon their march from Boston, supposed to be about 1,000." The letter asked those Bissell encountered "to furnish him with fresh horses, as may be needed." At each stop along the way, town leaders would keep the document Bissell delivered and hastily transcribe a new version that Bissell would carry to the next city or town. Although Palmer asked Bissell to deliver the news throughout Connecticut, the young messenger pressed ad.

He arrived on Wall Street in New York City around 4 p.m. on April 23. Roughly 24 hours later, he reached Philadelphia, where the pealing of what eventually became known as the Liberty Bell drew a crowd of 8,000 who would learn that war had begun. By then, the portion of the document bearing Bissell's name inaccurately listed his first name as Trail, That document resides today in Philadelphia, in the American manuscripts section of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Bissell rested then made his way back to his home in East Windsor, Conn.

He eventually joined the army and served alongside his brother, Justis. After the war, Bissell moved to Middlefield in western Ensemble ably interprets modern music By JIM LOWE Romantic flavor. The VCME more atmospheric quality and Staff Writer Vermont has made an excellent recording wasn't as compelling as the rest. ONTPELIER UVM of this work, available through It was given a sympathetic perM (Larry) composer Read's Thomas "Light Music Contemporary Ensemble its The Web only site. work by a non- formance Lukancik, by joined by Klimowski pianist and on Light" remains as powerful Vermonter was by a friend of the Elaine Greenfield.

and beautiful as it did when it For information about the artistic director, Steven Constance Price directed her premiered 17 years ago. And, in Vermont Contemporary Music Klimowski. "Unfoldings" by Essex Children's Choir, joined Friday's concert at the Unitarian Ensemble's 2007-2008 sea- Allan Blank, a polished two- by instrumentalists of the Church, the Vermont son in Montpelier and movement work for clarinet, VCME, in Alex Abele's colorful Contemporary Music Ensemble Colchester, go online to viola and cello, is sort of a jour- description of three mountains, also premiered four works, three www.vcme.org. ney with Part 1 being quite jazzy. "Sugarbush Haikus." The music by Vermont composers, includ- When Part 2 opens, it is haunt- ranges from ethereal to jaunty, ing a high school student, and ingly beautiful, but then it picks all with spicy harmonic lanfeatured the Essex Children's Elizabeth Metcalfe, clarinetist up, then returns to its quiet guage.

The kids managed the Choir. (The concert was Steven Klimowski, Read on vio- beginnings. The work is tonal, sometimes difficult harmonies repeated Saturday at St. lin, and cellist Bonnie Thurber but with salty language, and the well, with beautiful solos by Michael's College in Colchester.) Klimowski, despite a few rough colorful use of the instruments is VCME soprano Jill Hallett For 20 years now, the VCME moments, passionately delivered expert, as was the performance Levis, and there was a particuhas been foremost in champi- the depth and power of this by the two Klimowskis, joined larly expressive section by the oning the music of today by work. by violist Carolyn Lukancik.

instrumentalists between the secVermont composers. Not only The two-movement "Light Don Jamison's "Meditation ond and third mountains. does this ensemble of Burlington- after Light" has a Brahms-like Sequence" for clarinet, viola and Bewegt," by area professional musicians intro- feel to it, albeit using much more piano is an immediately attrac- Hanover, N.H., sophomore duce the state's audiences to its advanced harmonic language, tive work made up of simple Zach Sheets, proved an imaginaown music, it has proven an able with its rich and expressive use expressive lines. tive journey led by flutist Berta interpreter of the great music of of the instruments. There is a Tonal but imaginative, the four Frank.

The language is complex the 20th and 21st centuries. grand and singing quality to Part movements have a vocal quality and the orchestration colorful. Read's "Light on Light" had a 1, and its fullness and grandeur is about them, reminiscent of the This young composer, a particimemorable premiere in 1990 by reminiscent not only of Brahms, Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts." pation in the high school 'the same ensemble that per- but Mahler. Part 2 is lighter and Only the final movement, "Stars. Vermont MIDI Composition formed it Friday.

Pianist more driving, never losing its Planets. Earth." switched to a Project, shows promise. Obituaries Christopher R. Turco Rites WALLINGFORD The funeral Mass for Christopher Roy Turco, who died April 10, 2007, was celebrated Saturday, April 14, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wallingford.

Celebrant was the Rev. Paul Sackevich and organist was Wendy Gagne. Bearers were Greg Kobak, Paul McComson, Johnathan Turco, Nathan Turco, Casey Hodge, Collin Hodge and Christopher Turco Jr. A reception was held at the church. Burial will be at a later date in Pleasantview Cemetery in Obituary Policy The Rutland Herald prints obituaries as a free public service to its readers.

Copies of our guidelines are available on request. Please call 747- 6121, ext. 2215 for more information. Free notices must come from the funeral home and be completed according to the newspaper's guidelines. Because families may desire to include additional information or specific wordling, the Rutland Herald also offers the option of paid notices, which are billed to the funeral home.

Paid notices are marked with the symbol at the end of the notice. The deadline for all obituaries is 6 p.m. For Sunday's edition, the deadline for all obituaries is 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Please address all billing questions to our business office at extension 2270.

AP Photo This is the gravesite of Revolutionary War post rider Israel Bissell, in Hinsdale, Mass. Bissell rode from Watertown, to Philadelphia in April 1775 to inform citizens of the British attack on American militia in Lexington, Mass. He lived 1 the remainder of his life in Hinsdale and was buried in the Maple Street Cemetery where there is a marker that explains his deed, as well as a Revolutionary War marker. Massachusetts, where he ISRAEL BISSELL, who died bought property and became a October 24th 1823, Aged sheep farmer. He married Sev'nty One Lucy Hancock, and the couple Bissell's plot remained had four children.

unadorned until 1967 when He lived his final years in the Daughters of the American the nearby hamlet of Revolution placed near his Hinsdale, where his grave is headstone a bronze plaque marked by a plain marble commemorating his participastone with the simple inscrip- tion in the nation's tumultuous tion, "IN MEMORY of Mr. birth. Ludlow. He is also survived by his companion, Patti Carter. Arrangements were under the direction of the Adams Kenney Funeral Homes in Ludlow.

Achsa A. Sheldon EAST RANDOLPH To correct yesterday's obituary, Achsa A. Sheldon, who died April 13, 2007, was married to Gerald W. Sheldon, who passed away in 1995. Eleanor J.

Lemery WINDSOR Eleanor J. Lemery, 77, died April 13, 2007, at her home. Beth Moore Series at Alliance Community Fellowship Located in the Howe Center, Building 3 Beginning Sunday Evenings at 6PM on April 15th Sessions: Approaching God's Word The Presence of God Pressing Past Our Fears The Law Of The Harvest Loving Difficult People Each teaching is approximately one hour in length. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information call 773-3613 A full obituary will be published in a future edition of the Rutland Herald.

Arrangements are pending at the Knight Funeral Home in Windsor. Richard D. Benard Funeral services for Richard D. Benard, 72, who died April 11, 2007, in Rutland, will be held on Sunday, April 15 (today) at 4 p.m., at the Clifford Funeral Home, where friends may call from 2 to 3:45 p.m. Stephanie A.

Schoener DEDHAM, Mass. Stephanie A. Schoener died April 11, 2007, in Dedham. She was past president of the Rotary Club of Stoughton and a In Loving Memory Marian J. Aines November 23, 1926 April 15, 2006 It has been a year since you left us.

You are gone but still in our hearts. We miss and love you Mom. Your family and friends. member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 771 of Springfield, Vt. She was the beloved daughter of Dorothy A.

Schoener and the late Robert C. Schoener of Roslindale; devoted sister of Catherine Schoener DeMarco and her husband Vito of Springfield, loving of Capt. Frank Walsh, Boston Fire Department; cherished niece of Eugene Catino and his wife Anne of Westwood and Albert Schoener of Roslindale. She is also survived by numerous cousins and friends. The funeral will begin at 9 a.m.

Tuesday, April 17, at the Joseph Russo Funeral Home, 814 American Legion Hwy. (near Cunnins followed by the Mass at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Lower Church in Roslindale and interment at St. Joseph Cemetery in West Roxbury. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours Monday from 4-6 p.m.

Stephanie may be remembered through the Dana Farber Cancer Fund, 1 Harvard Brookline, MA 02146-9795. For directions and guest book, visit www.josephrussofuneralhome.com. TOWN OF WEST RUTLAND Utility Bill Due Monday, April 23rd TOWN OF WEST RUTLAND TOWN TREASURER 35 MARBLE STREET WEST RUTLAND, VT 05777 Business hopes to make tons of difference with grants for tree planting The Associated Press To celebrate Earth Day 2007, Seventh Generation, the nation's leading provider of non-toxic, environmentally safe household products, is asking you to help grow an urban forest in New Orleans by planting a virtual tree at www.onetonetree.com. The initiative, named "One Ton Tree" to represent the amount of carbon dioxide an average tree will remove from the atmosphere in its lifetime, is a partnership between Seventh Generation, the Seed Collective, and Replant New Orleans to help support urban reforestation. It is the story of how one little tree can make a ton of difference.

Designed as a fundraising and educational tool for reforestation endeavors, the One Ton Tree project is initiated by cell phone through the Seed Collective's wireless interface tool located at www.onetontree.com. Originally developed for use at large, public gatherings the novel technology is being made available for the first time via personal computers for this initiative. The tool allows participants to create a virtual forest that will help fund the planting and care of real trees and supportive plants in New Orleans, a city whose flora was devastated during Hurricane Katrina. By dialing the on -screen One Ton Tree number, participants become "virtual gardeners" and are given a to grow a unique tree on their computer screens. Using their cell phone keypads, visitors can grow their seeds, choose the type of trees to plant and change their texture and color.

Adding purple leaves and wavy branches allows visitors to create a tree as colorful and vibrant as New Orleans itself. Every virtual tree can make a real difference in New Orleans' Central City neighborhood on Earth Day, April 22. For each of the first 40,000 virtual trees "planted," Seventh Generation will donate $1 to Replant New Orleans, whose volunteers will plant trees along with complementary shrubs, grass, flowers and vegetables. The $40,000 grant will also enable ongoing soil testing, educational outreach, organizational staff salaries and support for the 5,200 volunteer hours expected to keep the new forests and gardens healthy through Earth Day 2008. "With the help of organizations like Seventh Generation and the Seed Collective, we're making strides this Earth Day toward our goals of bringing healthy, sustainable soils and lush, urban forests back to New Orleans," said Hillary Strobel, executive director of Replant New Orleans.

"Because of extensive, prolonged flooding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, elevated levels of toxins have been found in New Orleans' soil on a city- wide level and the One Ton Tree program will raise awareness of and take positive action toward rebuilding our ecosystem here an ecosystem that lost 50,000 trees to the storm." Planting trees in urban settings can help with beautification efforts and CO2 emission reduction, certainly, but creating vibrant urban food forests can help the environment of a community even more. Urban food forests include multiple levels of food producing plants, including fruit and nut trees, ground vegetables, fruiting shrubs and edible flowers. Two urban food forests will be planted in Central City on Earth Day that will be capable of providing sustenance for both animals and people. Additional tree plantings will take place at privately owned properties to contribute to the city's reforestation efforts. About replant New Orleans Replant New Orleans is a local nonprofit dedicated to restoring greenery lost in Katrina.

They make sure to provide the resources necessary for residents to establish green spaces in their neighborhoods again. Replant New Orleans offers trees, planting assistance, and educational resources for free so that everyone has the option to live in a healthy and beautiful environment. For more information please visit www.replantneworleans.org. About Seed Collective The Seed Collective (SEED) uses wireless activism as a reforestation-funding tool and a way in which individuals can learn the urban forest and its benefits. This reforestation tool, initiated by cell phone interactions, invites participants to create a virtual tree.

SEED explores the convergence of rich media and wireless technology in the creation of a collaborative and evolving work of art. Through sound and imagery users create and populate a forest together. To learn more about SEED, visit www.seedcollective.org..