The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1858-06-17
Anecdotes ofDeoatur.


Anecdotes Of Decatur.
The gallant Decatur was a sailor to
the hearts core, and loved to-tell anec-
dotes of the common sailors. I recol-
lect one which he used TO relate, to the
following purport: In one of The actions
before TripoG, while fighting hand TO
hand with the captain Of a guuboat. De-
catur came near being cut down from
behind. A seaman, named Reuben
James, who was already wounded ip both
hands seeing the risk of his command
er, rushed in and received the blow on
his own head Fortunately, the honest
fellow survived to receive his reward -
Some tine afterwards, when he had re-
covered from his wounds, Decatur sent
for him on deck, expressed bis gratitude
for his selfdevotion, in presence Of the
crew, and told him to ask for some re-
ward. The honest tar pulled up his
quid, but seemed utterly at a loss what
recompcnse TO claim His messmates
gathered around him, nudging him with
their elbows, and whispering I'm his ear:
"He had all the world in a string and
could get what he pleased" "the old
man could deny him nothing" etc. One
advised him this thing, another that;
" double allowance, ga boatswain's
berth, " ga pocket full Of money, and full
swing on shore" etc. Jack elbowed
them all aside, and would have none Of
their counsel. After mature deHbera-
ton, he announced the reward TO which
he aspired; it was 10 be ercused from roll
ing oD the hommocb cloth.
The whimsical request was Of course
granted; and from that time forward
whenever the sailors were piped to stow
away their hammocks, Jack was to be
seen lettering around, and looking on,
with the most gentlemau-like leisure
He always continued in the same ship
with Decatur.
81 could always know the state Of my
bile by Jack, said the Commodore. Of
l was in good hUmor, and wore o pleas
ant aspect, Jack would be sure to heavo
in sight to receive a friendly nod; and il
i was out Of humor, and wore, as some
times did, foul weather physiognomv,
Jack kept aloof and skulked among the
other sailors" 1t is proper to add that
Reuben James received a more solid re-
ward for his gallant devotion, than the
privilege above mentioned, a pension
having been granted him by govern
ment On another occasion, Decatur
had received at New York the freedom
Of the city, as a testimonial of respect
and gratitude. On the following day,
he overheard this cOlloquy between two
of the sailors: "Jack, said one, "what
is the meaning of this freedom Of the
city, which they've been giging to the
old man2' "Why, don't you know
Why, it's the right to frolic about the
streets as much as he plcases, kick nip q
row, knock down the men and kiss the
women!' ooh, ohl' cried the other,
"that's something worth fighting for.'
/ ---z Du---
A CENTENNIAL INDIAN CuIEF-His
Excellency, O'Brien Skandogh, a Chief
of the Six Nations, who was born in
1854, was in this city yesterday. This
aged Chief now 104 years Of age, was
sent to France to be educated, previous
to the Revolution He returned to this
country, after going through the medi-
cal school in Paris, In company with tho
Marquis de La Fayette, whom he follow
ed through the wars Of the American
Revolution, and did service in that cam
paign. He was at the battle of Bran
dywine, where he attended upon Gen, la
Fayette, binding up his wounds, reooiv-
ed in the affair During the war, no
suffered a bayOnet wound In the right
lung, which even now causes him uuoas-
mess, in case he takes a cold. Although
more than a century has passed over
his head, he is still hale and strong,
erect and of lofty port. His Masonic
brethren greeted tbs aged chieftain, and
contributed to his necessities; for all
though so old, he has not been all the
time accumulating worldly gain. He
was for many years at the head Of the
Six Nations and Chief of great inau-
ence- Rochester Democrat