The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-12
DANIEL WEBSTER AND JOHN MUMMA.

Inc heV. Mr.. Mllhurn relates the following auec-
dote of the late Daniel Webster:
"One night, before railroads were built, he was
forced to make journey by private conveyance
from Baltimore to Washington. The man who
drove the wagon was such an i'll looking fellow, and
told so many stories OF rohberirS and murders that
before they had gone far Mr.. Webster was some
what alarmed. At last the wagon stopped in the
midst OF dense wood, when the man turning sud-
denly round to his passenger excl ,im. fitrcely-
Now, sir tell me who you are Mr.. Webster re-
piled in tatering voice, and ready to sDriug from
the vehicle, Il am Daniel w eb. ter Member of Com
gress from Massachusetts, 'Whatr rrinined the
driver, graspng him mv by the hand. 'are ou
Webster? Thank God Thank God You were
such an ugly chap that | took you for a highway
man."
To the Editors of the Post:
Gentlemen-l take the above paragraph from
your paper of the 9th of August 1t is not usual
ly worth while to notice such stray anecdntes, hut
but this Is wholly untrue and presents Mr.. Web
ster in so unpleasant and unbecomng manner,
that do MT like to let it pass.
do not know the Rev. Mr.. Milburn, and it is
evident he did not know Mr. Webster, and has
been imposed upon; or he would never have given
circulation to such a story
The real facts from which this tale arose are |
suppose, the following, and are not entirely unin-
teresting-and unlike the ''anecdote," are charac-
teristic Of the man.
In NAV, 1913, when Mr. Webster was on his wav
from Portsmouth, n. H., to Washington, TO take
his seat for the first time in Congress- at the extra
session of that year, the stage coach in which he
was broke down on the road dozen or fifteen mills
North of Baltimore in the evening Some of the
passengers returned on foot t. the tavern they had
last left sought shelter in the houses along the
road some remained by the coach: Mr. Webster
walked on ahead to the nearest tavern.
On arriving at this, he stated to the landlord his
name and business, and inquired if he cOud not
procure conveyance t. take him on that night to
Baltimore. The landlo d undertook to furnish
him one. In the meantime. Mr.. Webster ordered
some supper. which was got ready for him in
=.
adjoined a large barroom. AS the door was open
ed. every now and then BY the Young woman who
waited on table, he glanced into this large room,
pretty well filled with people drinking and talking
and his attention attracted to a large, power
full looking man, who seemed to take the Lead in
general conversation and to be the great man of
the crowd After while he Inquired Of the Young
woman who that apparently Considerable person
was, and was told that it was John Mumma, the
butcher.
Now, in the Baltimore riots, which took place in
the preceding year. July, 1912, and in which Cen
Lingan was killed and eight or nine other gentle
men left for dead this John Mumma was conspi-
cuous leader, and took prominent part in the as
sault upon and capture Of the Jail, where the
fortunate gentlemen Were sent for protection, and
was generally supposed to have killed Gen Lingan
himself. Of course, his name well known all
over the country, and he represented and
believed to be a most ferocious and dangerous
rufian.
After supper was over the landlord came in and
announced that a vehicle was ready at the door
Mr. Webster paid for his supper, put on his over
coat and went out. An old-fashi med no-top gig
was at the door, and man sitting id it; and as the
landlord held up his lantern for tn night wa verv
dark, to show Mr.. Webster II st p into the vehicle
who should he for his driver but John Mumma
himself! 1t was too late to turn back; aud though
he would hardly have chosen such a companion, on
such occasiOn,-one who had killed one man for
being Federalist and might thiuk well TO kill
another,-yet, as he used to say, he did not think
that "anv man could put him easily under the
wheel'-he got n and off they drove for their f-
teen miles midnight trip. They proceeded at
great pace for some distance with but little CONVEX
sation, and that of an ordinary kind: on the roads,
the weather, the night, the speed OF the horse. and
sotOrth,-until having reached the middle of long
tract of forest, the driver suddenly pullrd up and
stopped short. Turning round upon Mr.. Wcbstey.
he said, "Do you know who you are driving withP''
Mr.. W. replied, ooh, yes, very we'll; John
Mumma, the butcher, the man who Killed General
Lngan."
Are you not afraid to ride with me at this time
Of night?"
''Not in the least
'You Daniel Webster, Federal member of
Congress from New Hampsbre?'
"Ges, | am"
After a slight pause, and locking Mr. Webster
full in the face, and their faces had to be verv near
each other, the night was dark, Mummi moved
on.
He then proceeded to say that he had volunteered
to drive Mr. W. when he heard who he for the
purpose of talking with him about the Baltimore
rl0ts lie sald In substance, that ne nad oern great
Is msrepresented. That he hal wished no harm to
Gen. Lingan any of the Others; but that word
came out into the country that traitors in Baltimore
were plotting against American liberty, and all d.
true friends of the country were called uron to
come in and put them down. That b. went in with
others, believing it all to be true, aud thought he
was doing his country service. That hearing he
was Federal member of Congress he wanted to
tell him about it, just how it happened.
Mr. Webster used to say 1t evident he felt the
load of oblpquy under which he labored and dsiI ed
to relieve himself ofi that he was as good natured
fellow as lived, but bold powerful and under
strong excitement had been led to commit an act
which he sincerely regretted
He left Mr.. w Webster the door of the hotel took
a friendly and kindly leave of him with a cordial
shake OF the hand and drove off in his old iatling
gig, refusing all compensation for his service.
These are, gentlemen, the facts, have fire.
quently heard them from Mr.. Webster's own lips
nearly as recollect them, and it will be
how little they resemble the statemen of the above
"anecdote" F. W.
Oro A Of tba