It is said that he did not fall from the pillar but as soon as it was completed he deserted his wife and family and went to America, where he never prospered and soon afterwards "died like a dog."
It is possible that this legend represents a megalithic tradition originating in the Bronze Age but the stone is of a soft texture and subject to rapid weathering which means that it can only have been small enough to resemble a sack of corn during the last few centuries. Possibly it was once a large monolith and may have stood near a long barrow which has not so far been identified. In this case the sequel to the story is probably the older legend of the two and it is notable that it finds a close parallel in other places.

A GREAT DEAL COULD BE written about the later history of Caistor, but there is only room here to mention a few incidents.
The place has been subject to disasters of one kind or another from time to time.
In 1590-1, there was an outbreak of plague in North Lincolnshire and burials at Caistor rose during that year to 36 from an average of 12.
On April 7th, 1681 a great fire broke out in the house of John Sheriffe and the damage to the town was estimated at £6,786. Burials numbered 29 and included several who had perished in the flames. The Parish Register records "in the space of three or foure houres (at the furthest) were consumed, and burnt downe to the ground the greater half of the dwelling houses, barnes, stables and outhouses in the Town, with all the Shops and Warehouses (save one Mercers shop in the Beast Market) five and fourty families were made desolate and without habitation."
The Town also played some part in National events. In 1536 the rising against the King's sweeping "reforms" broke out at Louth and when the Royal Commissioners arrived at Caistor on Tuesday, October 3rd they found the