USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, from the close of the revolutionary war to July, 1880 > Part 45
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Colonel Van Fleet was so rejoiced at the recovery of the papers that he ordered two salutes to be fired on the spot. The party proceeded to Maumee at leisure, and reached the town a little after daylight.
While the court was in session, Colonel Wing was stationed in town with 100 men to arrest the judges if they should undertake to hold court. Finding that there was no further use for his army, General Brown repaired to Monroe and disbandoned them.
It seems that this Mr. Shaler did not take charge of the office of gov ernor of the Michigan territory, and that John S. Homer became Mason's successor, and was the acting governor with whom Governor Lucas afterwards had a lengthy correspondence, and which resulted in the discontinuance of the prosecutions, except the T. Stickney case. for the stabbing of Wood, the deputy sheriff. Governor Homer made a requisition upon Governor Lucas for him, but Governor Lucas refused to give him up, claiming that the offense had been committed on Ohio soil, and that therefore the courts of Michigan had no juris- diction over him.
Public sentiment gradually settled down in favor of Ohio, " and peace was again restored to the border." The boundary commissioners resumed the work on the line in November, and finished it without molestation. .
At the next session of congress, on the 15th of June, 1836, Michigan was admitted into the Union, with the Harris line for her southern boundary, and the disputed territory was given to Ohio.
Taking into consideration the extensive preparations on both sides for the shedding of fraternal blood over a question that nothing but
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THE TOLEDO WAR.
right and law should have settled, and the other fact that the people in the whole northwest were highly excited over the conflict, and although the scenes have passed away with the excitement and both almost for- gotten, it should never be said that the Toledo war was a joke. (See Toledo war by M. V. Way.)
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CHAPTER XXVI.
SENECA COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY-SENECA COUNTY ON THE TAX DUPLICATE-SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR-SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812-SOLDIERS IN THE WAR WITH MEXICO-INDE- PENDENT COMPANIES-OHIO MILITIA.
SENECA COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF OHIO.
T HE kind reader, who may be desirous to know how and by whom this county has been represented in both branches of the gen- eral assembly of Ohio from the time of its organization hitherto, may save a good deal of time and labor by glancing his eye over a few pages in this chapter.
The time when, and the manner in which the districts, both senatorial and representative, were organized and changed, each including Seneca county, and the time of the election of senators and representatives. and who they were, from 1824 to 1880, a period of 56 years, required patient labor to ascertain, and it is hoped that this part of the present chapter may be appreciated as a reference document in proportion. at least. to the work it required to produce it.
Under the old constitution (let it be remembered) senators were elected for two years and representatives for one year. The legislature met annually on the first Monday of December. Under the present constitution the general assembly is to meet bi-annually and then on the first Monday in January. In spite of this plain provision of the present constitution, there was only one winter during the last thirty years when the legislature did not have a session; and that was the ever memorable year of 1855, when it was discovered that the state treasury was short about three quarters of a million of dollars. In all these years the legislature adjourned to an extra session, in violation of the plain provision of the constitution, under a joint reso- lution of both houses. In other words: the spirit and plain provision of the constitution is defeated by the construction of the word " ad- journment". And this determination to beat down the intention of the constitution of Ohio is a sin of both parties alike Both are guilty
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SENECA COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
439
of the crime and therefore willing to forgive each other. But the good people foot the bill all the same.
Now senators and representatives are each elected for two years. There is no holding over, nor adjournment intended by the new constitu- tion. What further proof is necessary to show its spirit and meaning ? However. the people acquiesce in this bi-annual violation of their funda- mental law and are willing to pay for it. This is all the politicians want, and are accommodated. But to resume. Below find the years of the elections of senators and representatives, first under the old, and then under the new constitution, the time of their elections and the compositions of the districts in regular order, viz:
SENATORS.
Yours. Colinties composing districts.
Who elected.
1524
Delaware Marion, Seneca (including Crawford) · Sandusky Delaware Marion Seneca Crawford Sandusky
David II. Beardsley
1526
Huron Sandusky Seneca Wood Hancock
David Campbell
1530 Same counties
Samuel M. Lock wood
Huron
Daniel Tilden
1834 Same counties
Joseph Howard David E. Owen
1536 Same counties
Seneca Sandusky
William B. Craighill
Seneca Wood Ottawa Sandusky Hancock
John Goodin
1842 Same counties
Moses Me Annelly
1544
Sandusky Seneca Crawford
Amos E. Wood
1846
Sandusky Seneca Wyandot Crawford
Henry Cronise
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Seneca Sandusky
James Kooken
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
440 Years. Counties composing districts.
Who elected.
1848 Same counties
Joel W. Wilson
Seneca
1850 Hancock Wyandot
Michael Brackley
This was the last.senatorial election under the old constitution.
.
REPRESENTATIVES.
Yours. Counties composing districts.
Who elected.
Marion
1824 Seneca Sandusky
Marion Crawford
Josiah Hedges
1.826 Same counties
1827 Same counties
Eber Baker Samuel M. Lockwood.
Sandusky Seneca
1828
Wood Hancock
1829 Same counties
Lockwood re-elected. Josiah ledges
1530 Same counties
1831
Same counties
Harvey J. Harmon
1532
Seneca Sandusky
Jeremiah Everett
1533 Same counties
1534 Same counties
1835
June 8. Extra session to consult on Michigan boundary and war.
1535 Same counties
William B. Craighead
1536
Same counties
Craighead re-elected
18337 Same counties
Samuel Treat
1538
Same counties
John Welsh
1839
Same counties
Welsh re-elected
1540
Seneca Sandusky Wood Hancock Ottawa
Amos E. Wood Moses McAnnelly
1541 Same counties
Amos E. Wood George W. Baird The Whigs withdrew. See
This legislature broke up in confusion. Secretary of State's report, 1875, page 82.
1842 Same counties
Heury C. Brish George W. Baird
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Jeremiah Everett
1825
Seneca Sandusky
Lockwood re-elected
Everett re-elected Jacques Hulburt
441
SENECA COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Years. Counties composing districts.
Who elected.
1843 Same counties
William B. Craighead
Samuel Waggoner
1844
Seneca
Henry C. Brish
1845
Seneca
Daniel Brown*
1846
Seneca
Warren P. Noble
1847 Seneca
Noble re-elected
1848
Seneca
John G. Breslin (Speaker)
1849
Seneca
Breslin re-elected
1850
Seneca
Jacob Decker
*Elected as a Democrat and voted with the Whigs.
Last election under the old constitution.
The senatorial district under the new constitution has never been changed. It is composed of the counties of Seneca, Crawford and Wyandot.
1551-Joel W. Wilson
1865-Curtis Berry, Jr.
1853-Robert Lee
1867-Curtis Berry, Jr.
1855-James Lewis (K. N., over W. P. Noble)
1871-Alex. E. Jenner
1857-Robert MeKelley
1873-John Seitz
4 1859-Thomas J. Orr
1875-E. T. Stickney
1861-William Lang
1877-John Seitz
1863-William Lang
1879-Moses II. Kirby
REPRESENTATIVES
Under the present constitution Seneca is a district by itself.
1851-Jacob Decker
1867-E. T. Stickney
1853-John W. Paine 1869-John Seits
1855-Joseph Boyer (K. N.)
E. T. Stickney
1859-Morris P. Skinner (D).) Gideon Jones (R.)
1871-John Seits
1873-James A. Norton
1861-R. R. Titus
1575-James A. Norton
1863-R. R. Titus
1877-James A. Norton
1565 -- Isaac Kagy
1879-Amos Decker
SENECA COUNTY ON THE TAX DUPLICATE.
Land bought from the United States was free from taxes for the term of five years from the date of purchase. The values, therefore, that were put upon the duplicate during that time were upon personal prop- erty only, and hence comparatively small. The duplicate swelled in proportion as the five years expired.
The following table gives the amount of taxes paid by Seneca county
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1869-Alex. E. Jenner
4 12
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
into the state treasury for ten years, from 1826 to 1835, both included, except the canal tax already mentioned:
Year.
Amount. Year.
Amount.
1826.
$ 62.26.6
1831
$720.26.3
1827
254.49.4
1832.
832.63.6
182
326.32.0 1833
834.79.8
1829.
444.44.3
1834.
954.80.1
1830.
600.05.7
1835.
814.13.8
It would be tedious and dry reading to follow the figures of assess- ment and taxation from year to year, and the reader must be content with short references to show simply how Seneca county swelled in proportions, in both wealth and on the tax duplicate.
In 1836 the value of town lots in Tiffin was $86,499: in Melmore. $5.463; in Republic, $708; in Carolina, $608: in Attica, $1,464
Clinton township then had six pleasure carriages, valued at $460: Eden one, valued at $50: Hopewell two, valued at $160. There was then no other carriage in the county. Any spring wagon was a pleasure carriage. There were nine of these, valued at $670.
The following table will show the number of acres and their value on the duplicate in 1836, the number of horses, neat cattle and total taxes for all purposes:
Township.
No. of acres.
Valuation.
Horses.
Cuttle.
Total tus.
Adams.
6,901
$18.872
126
392
$ 403 31.9
Bloom.
11,321
34.215
162
382
526 76.5
('linton
15.776
85,609
372
510
3,082 55.0
Eden
21.757
65.105
313
530
1,134 25.1
Hopewell.
11.749
39,670
127
307
639 67.1
Liberty
78,807
20,097
116
328
373 35.3
Loudon
1.842
2.831
59
185
118 25.6
Pleasant
4,898
24,335
122
303
445 17.1
Reed.
12.972
30.124
124
397
533 68.4
Seneca
9,475
31,754
179
374
521 85.6
Seipio.
17.067
42.953
203
535
985 12.2
Thomps
11.244
25.269
214
515
480 34.0
Venice.
4.274
12.277
80
352
264 81.5
Big Spring.
492
1,057
95
319
115 41.6
Jackson.
1.040
2.203
158
82 63.5
Total tax
$9,707 26.4
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SENECA COUNTY ON THE TAX DUPLICATE.
The following table shows the same articles for taxation, and the taxes for each township and the towns for 1879:
No. of
Township.
acrex.
Valuation.
Horses.
Cattle.
Total tar.
Adams.
23,146
$ 805,842
725
1,174
$ 14,194 85
Great Springs
131,494
24
17
Bloom ..
23,096
733,255
613
1.309
16,405 75
Bloomville ..
216.489
75
60
Big Spring.
22.807
908,194
736
1,351
9.481 59
Clinton.
21,122
1.292,448
648
1,245
1.252 37
Eden ..
22.782
1.019,168
667
1.525
10.757 83
Hopewell
22,854
1.038.048
712
1,363
12,262 21
Jackson
23,166
763.960
560
1,208
7.648 81
Liberty
22,878
958,638
698
1,668
12.957 27
Loudon.
22,4:22
891,530
679
1.235
10.602 53
Pleasant
22.460
884,707
544
955
10.937 55
Reed.
24.594
804.470
675
1,259
8.859 55
Scipio
22.737
965,868
674
1.154
1
13.941 65
Republic
185.220
75
56
1
Seneca.
22.665
981.431
758
1,312
10.615 19
Thompson
28,341
1.079.407
756
1,143
Venice.
25,048
832.460
6330
1.764
15.038 52
Attica
170,119
75
45
97
20
..
$1
81
3d
..
2.403.593
101
83.057 53
..
113
92
5th
..
74
11
Total tax for 1879.
.$ 285.375 26 The foregoing values include also the personal property and the values of Big Spring; also Adrian and New Reigel.
The total valuation of the county is $18,500,000. It is presumed that the appraisement now about being made will increase the valuation of the real estate over the appraisement of 1870 about two millions.
Estimated population of 1880, 37,000.
The acres above mentioned, with the above enumeration in 1879, produced one and one-half millions of bushels of wheat. Of this quan- tity-at a rough guess-one-half million was used for seed and bread, leaving one million of bushels for market, representing so many dollars.
All other surplus products put together make two millions more- three millions surplus farm products, to which may be added one-half million manufacturing products, to be divided among the above popula- tion: this would seem to be a fair representation of Seneca county in the busy life of the world.
This would average about $100 to each man, woman and child in the county for one year.
For the population of Seneca county in 1870 and 1880 see chapter forty-four.
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Tiflin-Ist ward.
102
152
25.248 13
Fostoria
1,043,237
444
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
SENECA COUNTY IN THE WAR.
This subject would make a book by itself. There is only room here to state facts; commentaries must be left to the reader.
The bones of seven revolutionary soldiers rest in the ground of Seneca county. It is possible that there were others, but record is made here only of those whose death here could be ascertained.
FREDERICK SHAWHAN
Was a native of Kent county, Maryland, but settled in Virginia after the revolutionary struggle was over. He took a very active part in the revolution, having enlisted when he was only seventeen years old. He served under Generals Wayne, Green, Lafayette and Washington. He was at Stony Point, in the battle of Monmouth, at the crossing of the Delaware, and at the battle of Trenton. He moved to Ohio in 1812, and located in Fairfield county. In 1820 he moved to Wayne county, and afterwards came to Seneca county, where he died near Tiffin, August 26th, 1840, in the eightieth year of his age. He is buried in the new cemetery.
JOHN W. KENT
Was another revolutionary soldier, whose history, however, there is nobody able to relate. He lies buried in the cemetery at Bascom. He died November 16th, 1844, aged ninety-nine years, nine months and seven days.
WILLIAM HARRIS,
The gunsmith, has already been mentioned among the early settlers near the old Fort Seneca.
JEDEDIAH HOLMES,
The father of our old pioneer friend, Jedediah Holmes, is buried in the Melmore cemetery.
ELI WRIGHT,
Another old soldier of the revolution, is buried at the cemetery near Mccutchenville.
JEREMIAH WILLIAMS,
Of the Maryland continental line, afterwards served under General Marion. He is buried in Pleasant township.
MATSON PETERSON
Died in Scipio township in 1846, at the age of eighty-two years. He was from New Jersey, and is buried at the cemetery near John Hall's.
There were a goodly number of soldiers of the war of 1812 in Seneca
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SENECA COUNTY IN THE WAR.
county, and the writer regrets his want of success in ascertaining their names. Every effort was made to that end, and the newspapers in Tiffin were kind enough to assist me in calling on the friends and children of the soldiers of the war of 1812 to give me their names and have them recorded in these pages; but it proved a failure and a few only have been collected. One man called on me and wanted to know how much I paid for such information. He went away without giving me any names.
The following are the names of those that were picked up, however:
William Siberal. Pleasant, John Baugher. Tiffin,
Benjamin Turner, Liberty. Jonathan Chittenden, Scipio.
Henry Cronise, Tiffin, Reuben Williams, Tiffin,
Henry St. John, Tiffin.
John Bowerman, Adams.
John Paine came to Adams April 7th, 1829, and died in 1846. He was a volunteer in Captain Barry's company O. M., in 1813, at Circle- ville, and was at the battle of Ft. Stevenson.
JOHN HETER,
Who located in Thompson in 1830; is still living.
SAMUEL CARSON
Was with General Harrison at Fort Meigs. He died in Venice.
LUDWIG FRIEDLEY
Located and died in Venice. He belonged to a Pennsylvania regiment.
WILLIAM SIBERAL,
Of Pleasant, was shot in the hip at the storming of Erie, and while he was being carried away, was shot again. Yet he lived to a fine old age. He settled in Pleasant in 1828.
JOHN SEARLES
Was drafted in the war of 1812 in'Anne Arundel county, on the Chesa- peak bay, Maryland, and was in the land service to the close of the war.
JOHN NOEL
Was drafted for the war of 1812, but on account of sickness in his fam- ily, was excused from service by paying $12 per month for three months.
DANIEL LAMBERSON
Was drafted in Pennsylvania.
NOAH P. RESSEQUIE
Was the fourth son of a French officer, who served under the great Napoleon. He was a volunteer in the war of 1812; was in the battles
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Daniel Labar,
Henry Weisbecker, Daniel Scheuing Jacob Frentzel. Carl Scheuing, Ignatz Kirchner. Fritz Pauli,
Michael Kirchner, Carl F. Boos,
Jacob Gunther.
Moses H. Schwarzenberg.
Christ. Mueller,
Joseph Kauffmann,
Balthasar Kirchner.
Lucas Engelfried.
Carl Mutschler,
David Leisenring.
Ph. Emich.
Henry Wats,
Jacob Schabacher, Josepli Kettemeyer.
Franz Keppelmeyer, John Demuth,
Joseph Schmitt, John Hartman. Justin Schneider. Wendel Bur' art.
Dominick Bartel.
William B. Wolff.
Joseph Ranker,
Henry Wolff.
Xavier Vagner. Jolın Meyer,
Jacob Zimmer, Peter Schmittuz, John Yeutgen. J. B. Greiveldinger.
P. Frank Ries.
Andrew Bliem.
William Roelle. J. Ad. Ries. II. Lemp.
John Hessberger,
John Spelz. ---- Chumi.
FORT BALL ARTILLERY
Was the only independent artillery company ever organized in the county. It was well.uniformed and well drilled, making a very formid- able appearance.
Captain-Truman H. Bagby. First Lieutenant-D. C. Stoner.
Second Lieutenant-P. H. Reame.
First Sergeant-Amon Rigs.
Second Sergeant-George Hubert.
Third Sergeant-John Gerspacker.
Fourth Sergeant-C. W. Souter. First Corporal-David Lutner.
Second Corporal-Harman Whiteman.
Third Corporal-W. H. Carlisle.
Fourth Corporal-John Silvers.
Privates:
Samnel Betts. C. J. Hoot.
Dan. Vollmer.
Henry Keppel.
William Ridenour,
Leo Liebel.
Aaron Ruse. Ephraim Sohn.
Melkiah Martin.
Nicholas Kirch.
Joseph Boehler,
Nathan Cadwallader.
P. C. Scheckel. Jacob Flangher, Jr., W. H. Smith. Nicholas Cornely.
James A. Sohn. Jacob Miller,
James Dildine, John Grady. Myron H. Forbush, Edmond Kinney. M. Hennessy.
David Lebar, Samuel Shull, Felix Beck.
George Strassbaugh, Gideon Leitner,
George Schwartzmiller. Pierre Lahr, Henry Graff,
Daniel Miller. Frederick Roller. John M. B. Carey. Samuel Downey. John Millerweis, John Mackfeld.
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Nicholas Liebe.
Fred. Gari,
Louis Seewald. John Kirchner.
Jacob Foell. Jacob Huf.
449
OHIO MILITIA.
Levi Keller,
J. H. Leidy,
Andrew Ruch,
Michael Miller,
Michael Lahr, Samuel Leitner.
Edward Cookerly.
George W. Zeigler,
John Hoefling.
John H. Six,
Nicholas Miller,
George Newbinger.
Daniel Bosler,
Henry Miller.
Robert Gulliver.
William Klinger,
George Schlerret,
Hiram Merchant,
Martin Housman.
Joseph Sanders.
W. B. Merchant.
R. L. Durdy,
George Seifert.
Fred. Rentz.
John Kline,
Jolın Knott,
Francis Wagner,
Jolin A. Young.
William Johnson,
John Courth,
D. H. Dildine, William Ogle,
W. A. Sweitzer.
Anthony Kuebler.
E. G. Bowe,
Hubert Shorts,
Daniel Youndt,
Fred. Schammel,
Charles Swannager,
J. W. Love,
Michael Fitzpatrick,
Peter Kingseed,
A. Flummerfelt,
Nicholas Bower.
The company organized on the 10th of March, 1851, and served out its time.
While on the subject of " independent companies," it may be well to remark that since the war of the rebellion two independent companies have been organized in Tiffin, viz:
.
THE TIFFIN LIGHT GUARDS,
Who have served out their time and disbanded, and the
TIFFIN ZOUAVES,
Who are still in existence. They were both small companies but well drilled.
Otto P. Snyder was the last captain of the Tiffin Light Guards, and Ed. Lepper is the captain of the Zouaves.
OHIO MILITIA.
The system and the laws regulating the militia of Ohio grew out of the condition of things surrounding the settlers when the state of Ohio was in her infancy.
The frontiersman was necessarily a good marksman and the rifle was one of the most indispensible implements of a frontier home. The war of the revolution and the war of 1812 were fought with militia, who have proven valiant and efficient. A standing army was not to be thought of and should not be thought of anywhere. The pioneers embraced the doctrine that "God helps those that help themselves." Self reliance is the main-spring of success at all times and everywhere.
The early statesmen laid down the doctrine that a well regulated militia was the safety of the state. Hence laws were passed for the listing of all able-bodied white male inhabitants by an officer who was called a " lister." The state was divided into districts and divisions, and numbered, with a major-general, and sub-divided into brigades, 29
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
with a brigadier-general in each. The brigade districts were again sub-divided into regimental districts and company districts. In time of need the militia was easily rendezvoused and each man knew the company, regiment, brigade and division he belonged to. Company muster was held in August and regimental muster in September of each year. On these muster days the officers were elected. The rank and file elected their captains and lieutenants, and these the higher officers and so on. The elections of all commissioned officers were certified up to the governor, who (as now), was the commander-in-chief, and issued the commissions accordingly.
Thus the " army of Ohio" was organized, and it was no small affair to be a captain, major, colonel, or general. Peple took great pride in military affairs and it was considered a mark of honor and distinction to be a military officer and in the line of promotion. There was as much electioneering on those muster days for a captaincy, or to be- come a colonel as there is now-a-days in the race for an office in civil life.
The muster days were regarded as days of fun and frolic. The hotel keepers and gingerbread shops made the most out of them. The men were ordered out on parade, " uniformed, armed and equipped as the law directs;" but the state furnished no arms and the men had no uniforms. There was no need of a uniform for only two days' drill during the year, and officers being changed so often, refused to uniform on account of the expense. Everybody, therefore, appeared on parade in citizens' clothes and just in such dress as was convenient to each. Some dressed in the best they had and others came just as they left their work. The larger number were in " homespun," colored with bark. It was both convenient and usual to pull the boots over the pants and wear linsey-woolsey wammuses, the corners tied into a knot in front. Some had fur caps on, others straw hats or slouch hats; no two were dressed alike. Standing in line or marching, the men swung their arms, laughed, talked, looked about and generally did as they pleased. If the captain scolded or undertook to be strict in his disci- pline, they would elect another man next time. Those who had no guns would borrow a piece for the occasion, or use any stick or corn- stalk as a substitute for a gun, for there was no time for going through the manual or firing exercises. The captain himself, having no knowl- edge of military tactics, could give no instructions, and the whole day was spent in marching around, forming line, calling the roll, electing officers, drinking, carousing and fighting. It was customary to have several fights at fisticuffs on every muster day.
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OHIO MILITIA.
In 1842 Dr. Charles Beilhars, a dentist, was elected captain of a Tiffin company, and having no military experience, was very innocent in his new position. After dinner he took charge of his company and marched up and down the street several times and the men got tired of walking so much. The captain had a long, cavalry sword, which he leaned against his right shoulder, and marched at the head of his com- pany in single file. One time the captain and his drummer turned into Market street, marching east, and when he reached the alley east of the court house he looked back, and, to his great surprise, his whole company was gone. They had all "skirmished" and could not be rallied again that day.
A good story is told of a man who had been a standing candidate for captain several years, and finally one morning on a muster day succeeded, by treating all the boys. He bought the out-going captain's chapeau, sword and coat, put them on, and at noon recess went home to tell his wife and exhibit himself to her in "war paint." While his wite was busily engaged preparing dinner, the captain employed the time by drilling himself on the porch, giving words of command very strong. There was a trap door in the porch floor leading to the cellar below, and the wife, in her hurry to get dinner, running up and down the cellar stairs, left the trap door open. The captain, full of war, paid no attention to the cellar way. Now he gave the command: " Com- pany. three paces to the rear-march!" and in the execution of the command, he fell into the cellar. His wife heard the racket, ran to his assistance, and helped him up on to the porch again. She brushed him off nicely and consoled him on his lucky escape, having no bones broken and all that, and, when " Richard was himself again," the cap- tain straightened up, looked over his shoulder at his wife, and ex- claimed in a loud voice, " Sal, what in h-Il do you know about war?"
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