Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-05-17
Life and Times Of Captain James
i. Charlesworth Esquire, late Of
the United States Army.

OF a time and place for all that, when
the world knew nothing of the important b
event that was tianspir:ng, when the sun Il
kept on its course, the moon did not observe
a change, but the dogistar rs supposed to f
have shone with more than usual brilliancy, 1
on OF about the year 49,, an infant child
was born. Fond parents dotted upon that
child; they gave him an honest name and
hoped-how often are hopes ~vain--sn hon.
Get man might wear it. That nance gentle
reader, was James r. Charlesworth, ond the
bearer OF that name is none other than the
redoubtable Captain of the Union hosts in
Belmont county. History will bear US out
in the assertion, that a. much as he may
differ from honest men generally, he came
into this world under circumstances very
similar to those that accompany mankind at
all times, save that the genius of true man.
hood had wandered to parts unknown about
that time. His weight did not destroy the
equilibrium Of the earth, nor for a moment
interfere with its long established motion,
hence he pissed his childhood in compare
tive obscurity. Then he trod the round of
life, making little tracks upon the sands Of
time-where the sands were impossible,
making tracks with the daintiest little feet.
As years passed on the child grew opace,
and SO tits said, grew fat-fat as the man
Doesticks tells of, who melted Town under
all August sun like q tallow candle. Such
was his condition when the Mexican Wur
vas declared, and with patriot bloeod boil
ing in his veins-the patriot blood Of an
En- giish sire, be offered himself a free gif,
to his country. What patriotism must have
stirred his little hesrt then, for sure twas
patriotism made him 60. He went, he fought
he bled, for 10! he was wounded in the-calf
of the ,eg.
The war closes, he returns to his native
homo. High hnpes s~on his ho.nn,. for
now he has a passport to fame and renown.
Who is there in all this wide land who does
not look with respect upon that man who
bears q scar received in fighting the battles
OF his counlry-even IL that scar is on the
calf Of the leg. So it was with him. He
was admitted into society, he won laurels in
the dance, he learned by rote 10 fill the
notions of a gentleman, and " 18th all these
advantages no came before the people, by
the light of the dark lantern, as a candidate
for county Auditor. or course he was elect
ed. for who would look upon that scar ant
not vote for him! He was elected and entered
upon the duties of the office with a power
never claimed by any other Auditor, for 10
he bore that sventful scar on the calf Of thu
MI leg. That was a passport to rights ant
); privileges that no former officer had.
h. Acting upon this superior privilege. he
robbed the County of over $3.50. In otheI
men It weuld have been . crime, but in hin
---behold that scar. He drew the money
from the county Treasury, and studiousl!
, covered up all traces, that he might foreve
. possess his ill-got gains, but then he wa
"A not like other men, for remember he ha'
=. done his country service, and then that
Sc scar.
A. About this time ca me Mrs. Armstrong o
Washington township with $2Ol of schoo
~ fund to pay into the county Treasury for be
ID husband. The Treasurer was absent
/. Charlesworth with his peculiar high passpor
D. offered to receive the money and pay 1t I
the Treasurer upon his return. He receive
the money, but ins,epd of paying it to tn
Be Treasurer as promised, he put 1t into hi
he breeches pockets, and as before took tn
VI back track to cover up all evidence Of eve
having received it. All this did Charles
worth do, yes he did it with impuni,y. l
other msn II would have been a crime, b.
in him 1t was a privilege gained by TIT
fortunate scar In the calf Of the leg. BIZ
this little nan oil destiny has not yet don
" enough for the people Of Belmont county
He again offers himsel If as a candidate IA
county Auditor, but an ungrateiul peopl
did not appreciate the merit Of a man VII
could by any %peculisr privilege of his owl
defraud the county Of over $3.50. and by sue
fragrant violation Of confidence, attempt I
cheat Mr.. Armstrong out Of 32ol. 1t wa
strange was II moth See what he had don
for bis country. He had bIed and
that scarf With all these before the pet
plo they would not have him to serve 'he'
-, again. "Republics are ungratsful." Fai
;. ing in this attempt he casts about to sc
some other chance to exerc Ice his peculi'
, privilege. Who has done the best servic
for himl Who has most appreciated Ii
merits Of his service to his country1 H
casts about to see. There Is J. II. Thorn
son, who fought for him when he was