Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-10-20

obituary.

For the State Sentinel.
Obituary.
Within few months past. an aged citizen has
gone to his rest. who has been identified with
Indiana before its organization as Territory. and
ever since II became State Ambrose Whit
lock. ESQ, of Charlottesville. Montgomery coun-
ty, departed this life the 26h day of June last
at the advanced age OF 96 years He had been
gradually wearing away for several months; yet
such was the tenacity of life in his iron cOnsii
tuition. hardened by habitual TEMPERANCE, and
exercise in the open air, that on the eve OF his de
parture. he appeared as II ne might survive many
days longer. even weeks and months On the
morning OF his death he requested 10 be carried
out in his chair that he might once more enjoy
his tavorlte seat la summer, under the shade OF
tree in the lawn, which had been planted bv his
own hand, and had become III size one Of the
monarchs OF the forest He had been seated
only a few minutes. when he observed by the
attendants To have closed his ewes il in a dOze
AMI on approachin. him they found the vital
spark extinct He had gone 10 his rest quietly
and in peace
Maior Whitock was born in the then Colony
of Virginia, in May, 1867 He entered the army
OF the United StGeS in 1888, private soldier:
and by his merits soon rose from the ranks and
WAS COMMISSIONER an Otncer IN one OF the regl-
mehts OF infantry. Mtnv Of the events of his
military life. serve TO illustrate the uuexampled
growth OF this western country. He assisted in
the erection OF Fort " Washington, now the CITY of
Cincinnati, at which time the only dwellings in
that western commercial emporium IA few
log cabins In 1870 he served ~ a soldier in the
army commanded by Gen. Htrmar, in an expedi
ton against the Indians or the Maumee; in
which, as he emphltcally asserted 20 he present
writer, Hartman was not Defeated the books
relate, for he, with the bulk OF the army. includ
ing the regulars. was not within thirty miles of
the place of his reputed deleit; vet the purpose
of MS campaign was frustrated by the rtshness If
two militia regiments of mounted rifemen who
could not be restrained, and who having lett the
main army were maSsacred almost To IA man near
whItis now the city OF Fort Wayne He served
under Gen. WAYNE, in his expedition against the
Indians in 1894. which resulted in Their over
whelming defeat. on the Maumee. near what is
now Toledo, and led 10 the treaty of Greenville
in 1875 Ii was during this campaign that lie
assisted in the building of Fort Wayne, where ne
was stationed for some time Having risen to
the rank of Captain, he stationed at Fort
Massac. Illinois, on the lower Ohio. and at other
places IN the southwest, and served with thit
part of the army which Constructed the great
military road from Tennessee, through the Choc
taw and Cherokee countries, To Louisiana I'm
der the administration OF President Jefferson, he
appointed Paymaster with the rank OF NJ .jor
OF the United States Army, in the western ana
southw Western departments While officiating in
this capacity he carried his funds in keeIboats To
the military stations on the Mississippi, Ohio and
Wabash rivers, amid the dark do main of savage
lite, the boats being propelled by soldiers, who
acted also as a guard aud Oh horseback, over
the prsiries of Illinois. and through the for
ests of Indiana. In this hazardous employment,
hundreds of thousands OF dollars passed through
his hands to the soldiers, without the loss or The
misapplication OF cent. AT the memorable
interview between General Harrison and Tecum-
sch. at Vlncennes. IN 1871, Major Whitlock was
present: and in an account which he incidentally
gave to the writer of this memorial lie completely
knock Ell out all the poetry contained IN some OF
the narratives of that Interview, ami put IA very
different face upon the Transaction than what has
been usually deneated-iar more simple and
life like, aud more in correspondence with the
well known character OF the principal actor
After the termination OF the war OF 1912. some
where about 1911 MAjor Whitlock retired from
the army to civil lie, and in lS22 was appointed
Receiver of public money IN the l. ana Office
which. by direction oil the Hon William II Craw
ford, the Secretary of the Treasury, he located IT
the place which he led Charlottesville. after
the name of the distinguished Secretary, who was
his personal and political friend In this Off G
he continued. dischirgng lis duties with his
wOnted strict integrity, until lo29, when. under
pretenSe OF some eirlcatOn-whch, however,
proved 10 he false. and the government shown to
he largely indebted to him "a debt which has
never been paid, he was removed. While he
oilicated Receiver. portion only oi the paper
currency of the country, for severd! Yeas, was
receivable at the Llnd Office: ami sometimes
those who went 10 enter land would be deficient
iew doius IN l. rud Office money 10 paw Tor
the land selected. La such Instances. Vi jor Whit
lock would give them receipts in full. and trust
them Tor the amount OF their uncurrent money
1t they offered To give their notes, he refused TO
receive them. saying, ''lf YOU are honest, YOU
will pay me without giving your no'es; and If YOU
are dishonest you Will not pay u YOU do give Your
notes This i one out OF many instances ot his
kindness of heart. anu OF his well known reputa-
ton AID character as the poor mans friend.
VI ,ior Whttiock was, ia all hIs relations and
do'ugs = m" OF un'iending integrity. he was
50 from an innate sense of right and justice: as
he VA ia subsequent lite from Christian principle
He never Knowingly wrongei any man; and he
>csupLluusy ust and upright IA MS deal
ihgS wiki the Government in his private bu~-
hess transactions. An honest man-the npbleSt
work of God. would indeed be his appropriate
aud truthful epitsph. An instance 1T this and
at the same time ct his Outspp ken W Western man
ner occurred at Washington CITY under the Al
ministratiOn of President Monroe. he went To
the proper office in the Treasury Department to
have his accounts anaiied. la tie settlement he
discovered an error in the accounts as kept by
the clerks of some S5D .000 against the United
Suites, and ia his favor. He kueS it to be an
error. and - told the clerks. adding: \ on con
know how 10 keep books here The clerks ielt
them elves in-ultci, and ordered him out ct the
office 'Ye.." said he IL will 20 aud bring
your master Ia look into the natter lie went
10 the Secretary of the Treasury. hi iriead NJ.
Crawford. Who accompanied him 10 the auditing
Office and upon TX animation found the Major
WIS right and the clerk utterl, wrong, and that
there was in truth So 900 due the Government
which the upright soldier. honest even 10 stern
ness in his demeauor. instantly paid. aud his &C
counts we're closed This act carries With il It's
own comment.
M,jor Whitock was n sincere. unoStentati rus
Christian, aud exempli6ed his faith by consist
ent life and CONVEX sation. He ~ss liberal con
trihu'or TO the parish of ~ Johns Church.
Craw louisville. OF which for msny wears he vas
the senior Canrrh Warden: donated the commo
af,ua 1t 80, a. bi.b ha church stands anil ave