At Le Roy we sought shelter under the friendly roof of an old, old house.  How it did storm; the Rochester papers next day said that no such storm had ever been known in that part of the State.  The rain fell in torrents; the main street was a stream of water emptying into the river; the flashes of lightning were followed so quickly by crashes of thunder that we knew trees and buildings were struck near by, as in fact they were.  It seemed as if the heavens were laying siege to the little village and bringing to bear all nature’s great guns.

The house was filled with old books and mementoes of the past; every nook and corner was interesting.  In an old secretary in an upper room was found a complete history of Morgan’s disappearance, together with the affidavits taken at the time and records of such court proceedings as were had.

These papers had been gathered together in 1829.  One by one I turned the yellow leaves and read the story from beginning to end; it is in brief as follows: 

In the summer of 1826 it was rumored throughout Western New York that one William Morgan, then living in the village of Batavia, was writing an exposure of the secrets of Free Masonry, under contract with David Miller, a printer of the same place, who was to publish the pamphlet.

Morgan was a man entirely without means; he was said to have served in the War of 1812, and was known to have been a brewer, but had not made a success in business; he was rooming with a family in Batavia with his wife and two small children, one a child of two years, the other a babe of two months.  He was quite irresponsible, and apparently not overscrupulous in either contracting debts or the use of the property of others.

There is not the slightest reason to believe that his so-called exposure of Masonry was prompted by any motives other than the profits he might realize from the sale of the pamphlet.  Nor is there any evidence that he enjoyed the confidence of the community where he lived.  His monument—­as in many another case—­awards him virtues he did not possess.  The figure of noble bearing on the top of the shaft is the idealization of subsequent events, and probably but illy corresponds with the actual appearance of the impecunious reality.  The man’s fate made him a hero.

On August 9 the following notice appeared in a newspaper published in Canandaigua: 

“Notice and Caution.—­If a man calling himself William Morgan should intrude himself on the community, they should be on their guard, particularly the Masonic Fraternity.  Morgan was in the village in May last, and his conduct while here and elsewhere calls forth this notice.  Any information in relation to Morgan can be obtained by calling at the Masonic Hall in this village.  Brethren and Companions are particularly requested to observe, mark, and govern themselves accordingly.

“Morgan is considered a swindler and a dangerous man.