largest tree in New York State, the "Big Elm" of Italy Hollow, near 

 the border of the towns of Totter and Middlesex, N. Y., carried off 

 the prize. 



Old tradition marks this as a favorite Indian Council Tree, and 

 the only member of the primeval forest that escaped the pioneer's 

 axe, in that locality. As its trunk measures thirty-two feet in girth, 

 while it shades an area of eight thousand six hundred and fifty square 

 feet, the splendid old tree is fully entitled to the honor accorded it. 

 Standing at the junction of several Indian trails, it furnished an 

 accessible meeting-place for the various tribes. While the council 

 fires burned, near the Big Elm, scouts stood on vigilant guard against 

 wolves, bears and panthers that frequented the neighborhood. 



The Fort Howard Elm 



This elm occupies the site of the first permanent fortification in 

 Wisconsin, and represents two hundred years of the history of the 

 region under the rule, in turn, of France, Great Britain and the 

 United States. The date of the building of the first fort is unknown, 

 but was probably about 1718. 



The history of this post was practically the history of the State 

 during the French regime. Around the fort were waged the Fox 

 Indian Wars. It was also a popular trading post, and was a centre 

 for the dishonest dealing that led to the overthrow of French rule in 

 America. 



The British, in 1761, occupied and rebuilt the post, christening 

 it Fort Edward Augustus. After Pontiac's conspiracy in 1763, the 

 garrison was permanently withdrawn and not replaced until after the 

 War of 1812. In August, 1816, the United States occupied this 

 place with a strong garrison, and built the military post named Fort 

 Howard. This was almost continually garrisoned until 1852, when 

 the need for martial protection ceased. The garrison was at that time 

 removed, the land and buildings were sold, and but few reminders 

 are left of the historic importance of Fort Howard, save the old elm 

 tree. This stands just south of where stood the commanding officer's 

 quarters, which were occupied by several men noted in American 

 history. Probably the best known of the American commandants 

 was Major Zacbary Taylor, who afterwards became President of the 

 United States. 



The Franklin Elm 



New Haven, Conn., known as the "City of Elms," possessed for 

 many years a fine specimen known as the Franklin Elm because it 

 chanced to be set out on April 17, 1790, the day that the great man 

 died. The story of the tree's entry into the town where it has so long 

 been a famous landmark, is rather an unusual one. 



Long before the days of Prohibition, Jerry Allen, whose home 

 was at Hamden, a few miles from New Haven, arrived in the latter 



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