Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-05-02
and our Government would become ono
vast illimiiable and unbelievable Despot.
ION,
From the Amy and Navy Chronicle.

e#fttf' 'N'Kf $500 -
manner or the period ofthe termination oI
our mortal existence Or, as Pope beau
tliully expresses it.
Heaven from all creatures hi les the book of fate
All bu, the page pss.cribcd-the presen, state.
A knowledge of the time aud manner
ofour end, Lei them occur under as favor
able auspices as are ever allotted to man,
would only ill us with dread oil tho APP
preaching hour which would seem to Us
10 hurry on with rapid pace. With the
lover, time always lags; but for the Grim.
inal bound 10 the gallows u n too fast.
OF the band OF patriots who struggled
msnlully and successfully for our 'ndepen.
dence, but a small portion remain among
us to witness the rapid increase OF our
prosperity. Time is daily gatheriuu them
TO reap the reward Of their iabors in a bet.
ter world, and If we cannot smooth tho
tho rugged pathway Of life in their journ.
ely towards its close, we can al least offer
cur prayers aud sincere wishes Tor nm
easy and comfortable road. The circum-
stances attending the last end of m Of
these heroes have lately been communica-
ted to us and humble though the pari
he bore in that struggle, aud az humble
his station in society, we would raise our
voice, if not to snatch them from oblivion,
ut least to offer our NEED Of respect for
the memory of and gratitude for the ser
vices Of each aud every one of that more
than Spartan band.
MOSES KELLEY, n soldier Of the Revo-
luton. for whose services and prlvations
tho country had thought ii sufficient to
bes,ow u pension ofthree dollars per month
at the advanced age of n%inety--oi VEN
cradle appeorauce-whose movements
manifested that the fire of youth and the
spirit Of our sires were not extinct IN his
velns-whose carriage WAS but little ben,
by the weight of ycars-lately took a
journey from CINCINNATI to Washington,
distance Of 500 miles, with n view 10 oh
tain an increase of pension. On his way
hither, between Reisiofstown and BALI
more, two heartltss williams, who could
not have possessed one spark OF pity, hon
csty, or gratitude, robbed bun OF hta little
stock Of money and clothing. and he ar.
rived here penniless. Making his stun
ton and the object OF Ills visit known,
kELLnY was conducted TO tho Pension
Once, bal was unsuccessful 10 %accomllis-
ing tho purpose of fins visit, the laws could
afford him no further relief. liia case,
however, coming to tho ears OF soma OF
our army officers, with that generous sym
PATTY Tor which they are 50 pros,rblui,
and notwithstanding the repeated calls
upon their charity, they very soon made
up a purse of GJfy dollars. The hoarders
at Browns Hotel literally contributed the
further sum af sirty dollars, so that what
at first appeared rs an lfreparnole loss to
our wayworn traveller was not only made
good, but he WINS provided with n small
capital which would insure his expenses
home, and leave something for bis support
afterwards. Mr.. Brown, the liberal host
Of the indian Queen, refused all compen.
salion for entertaining the old hero at his
house. One Of tho officers, with n prov.
iIent foresight, had taken care to convert
KelIey's capital into United States Bank
notes and gold-a sure passport through
any pat Of Uncle Sans domains.
Kelley might be compared to a scaihed
oak in a forest Of vigorous saplings; his
trunk was left, but its branches were lop
ped of-his offspring bad preceded him TO
the tomb, and he was loft childlcss.
With a comparatively light heart, kel
ley started on his journey homewarJ, and
being provided with a letter to Messfs.
Stockton 81 Co., the enterprislng stage
proprietors, Of Baltimore, they generously
|ranked the veteran 10 their line "scoI
~(ree"t to Wheeling; ind WI would that @e
could add the pleasing information that he
reached his home in safety. But we have
a far different story to relate-tbat oil his
death by accident.
A letter was received a few days since
by a gentleman in this city, from VIM.
Frey, Esq. the postmaster at Somertleld,
Somerset county, Pa, giving the melan-
choly intelligence that the old soldier had
been upset ~ the stage near that place, by
which accident his collar bone was broken
and he was otherwise so seriously injured
that no hopes of his recovery were enter.
tanned. Though languIshing on the bed
Of pain, the veteran was not unmindlul OF
those who had assisted him here in his dis
tress; he dictated "A letter expressing his
grateful acknowledgements to the genile.
in Washington who bad assisted him and
as he might not, in al probability, have an
other opportunity to make his feelings
known 10 them, he coulo not die in peace
until he had eased his overcharged heart.
Another letter from Mr.. Frey, under
date Of the Goth March, announces that
poor Kelley had breathed his last. Eve
nv attention that kindness could dictate
was extended TO him during the few days
tina, he fingered on the bed OF death, and
his remains were followed TO the grave by
the clergy and many respectable citizens
Of Somerfield.