The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-01-24
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, WEDNESDAY, JANUA
The Troubles Of 4 NIGHT

. "cseei = lileidls. lhe aiaFm was SO great, ant
the immediate dangers apparent, that many
e prudent persons buried their most valuable ef
5 fects 10 such 8 height were the fears Of tht
S people excited, that it was confidently believed
: the settlements in the vicinity of Onondaes
I would be broken up. During this state of af
: fairs, gov Clinton, about the middle Of Nav
| dispatched gen. William North, gen Stephe1
r Van Rensselaer,, gen. David Van Horn ane
! baron Steuben, who had been recently appoin
ted special commissioners by the legislature O
: New York, to provide for the defence of the
western frontier, and to erect such Notifications
: as they should deem necessary for the public
safety. Twelve thousand pounds had been ap-
propriated by the legislature to defray any ex.
penses thus made. The commissioners repaired
to s'Salt Point, /" and with the advice of a sscom
mttee of safety consisting of Messrs. Dewitt,
Van Week, Orman, Phares and Danforth, adj
vised the erection Of ablock-house at that place
The militia If the country were called out and
reviewed by the commissioners, and active
measures taken for the protection of the from
tier.
On their return, the commissioners spent the
night at the house of Mr. John A. Shelter
innkeeperin Manlius village The guests were
J considerably fatigued with their journey, and
the labors Of their important trust, and retired
early to rest During the night there seemed
to be an unusual stir about the house. As the
hour Of midnight approached it still increased
; and before morning transpired one of those un-
; Ipostponable events incident to all prosperous
and increasing families The baron was greatly
annoyed during the night, SO that he could
hardly sleep a wink. The frequent shutting
i of doors, continued tramplmg Of busy. feet, and
hushed sounds Of female voices which were
greatly magnifed by the baron's nervousness
and the importance of progressing events, kept
his mind in a continual tumult
+ The house was built Of logs, only one story
+ high with two rooms below, the chamber being
the whole size of the house, with only loose
boards for atloor. This chamberWas occupied
by the distinguished guests Of Mr.. Shelter. The
companions Of the hero of this tale slept sound
ly, and were not at all disturbed in their dreams
1t was not SO with the baron. He often turned
himself upon his bed of straw seeking rest, yet
! finding none, continually wondering what on
earth could excite such wonderful commotion
below. He tossed about in nervous wakeful-
ness, and finally worked himself into an almost
uncomfortable passion, which could scarcely be
restrained until morning. On the earliest ap-
I !,
vowing vengeance on all below. He approach
ed the redoubtable landlord, in not the most
agreeable manner, saying: Your house is full
of gossips and goblins, sir, / haven't slept a
wink all the blessed night. You have pack of
dogs about you noisy enough to deafen one.
Sir, repeat, your house is. full Of gossips and
goblins Sir, your house is not fit to stable
swine. Give US breakfast,let us be off as soon
lJa II I I
again.
The baron's rage was at its height. Mine
host was perfectly dumbfounded before his en-
ragged and angry guest, and dared not so much
as to lift his head, or even to hint at the cause
of the disturbance during the night. The more
considerate companions of the baron heartily
sympathized with him in his troubles, and were
ready to excuse their host, but it only had effect
to add fuel to the flame, and increase his rage.
In the height of thestorm which had already
spent much of its furry, as ifto afford relief and
calm therending elements, woman cautiously
and tmorousy approached the angry baron,
who was still breathing forth his threatenings,
bearing in her arms a little infant, wrapped in
Eswaddling clothes, which had not yet witnessed
the setting Of a single sun, saving: <.Here, sir,
baron, is the cause Of all the trouble and noise
last night" The gallant soldier Instantly felt
the improprietyo of Misconduct, his habitual good
humor was instantly restored, and bis accus-
toned gallantry prompted him at once hand
somely to apologize, at the same time begging
ten thousand pardons Of those around him He
rendered his most hearty congratulations to Mr.
and Mrs. Shafer and offered as an atonement,
for the wrong he had done, to bestow his own
name on the new visitant, which offer was
joyfully accepted, and forth with the baron drew
a deed Of gift for two hundred and fifty acres
of land, from his domain in Oneida county and
after breakfasting with his friends, went on his
way rejoicing.
THERE'S often aslngularty in the closing scenes
of the lives OF distinguished men. It may not
be unworthy of remark here, that Frederick
William Augustus, baron de Steuben, once an
aid-de- e-camp to Frederick the great king of
Prussia, quartermaster general, chevalier of
the order Merit, grand marshal of the court of
Hohenzolen, colonel in the circle Of Swabia, /
knight of the order Fidelity, commander-in-
chief Of the armies of the prince Of Baden,
major general in thearmies Of the United States
and Inspector general Of the same-that fortu-
nate soldier Of fifty battles an admirer of free
dom, the friend Of Washington, the man of
virtue, fidelity, and honor-performed his last
military service in reviewing a few score of un-
armed, half-clad militia, and in selecting site
for block house, for the defence of the frontier
of New York, in the county Of Onondaga, at
Salt Point, in 1894. The baron died at his
residence in Stuben, Oneida county, November,
1906
Benjamin O. Tyler was once anseminent
military man in the city of Washington. He
was the author and publisher Of the ..Auto-
graphs Of the signers Of independence" He
once made bank bill with his pen with SO
much nicely and skill as to deceive the cashier
Of the bank on which it purported to be, be
accepting it as genuine. This man was found
at O'Clock Saturday morning, lying drunk
on his back in Traverse street, and for the Sc
cond Or third time complained of this fore
noon, in the police court, as vagabond. ~.
This charge, however, was not sustained, and
he was fined s5 and costs for drunkenness.
[Balt. Sun.
~ 3 a a i