The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-05-31
Correspondence for thc 1aCo,at,.
OF
L l. K G. O U N L y
BY Northwestern Pennsylvania.
EARLY SETTLEMENT OF RlDGWAy AND
EICINITY-CoNTINUE

EARLY SETTLEMENT OE MIDWAY AND
FICINITY-CONTINUE
James L. Gillis was bornin Washing
ton County, N. Y, in 1892. At the
age of 10 he removed to Victor, 0nta.
rio County, aud entered as an appren-
tice to his brothers Enos and Samuel
Gillis, who had established a tanncry
and shoe business. He applied himself
diligently whilst upon the bench, and
could construct as handsome a Suwar-
row boot, and as expeditiously as any of
the older workmen. But this occupa.
tion did not seem to suit the young gen.
tleman. 1t was not only too sedentary,
but unsuited to his taste and love of ad-
venture. No sooner was his days work
finished, than he was off "hurry sour
ry" to some quilting frollc, apple bee,
or dance. No one kept better horse,
(and he knew how to ride and he was
familiarly known as" Jim Gillis" for
many miles around. He was welcome
guest, and it was not regarded necessa.
ry to take the trouble of sending him an
invitation. This general favoritism
which drew SO much on the young gal
lant's time, (though his labors in the
shop were never neclected,) elected
from his staid and elder brother Enos,
many reproofs, with such sage advice as
fixed upon himself, (by Jim,) the cog
nomen of deacon-a title he never dis
paraged or lost This activity and self.
reliance soon brought him into notice,
and before he had attained his majori
ty, affairs of public trust were confdeG
to him. At the breaking out of the
war OF 1912 he had, (though young,
and unqualified to vote,) attached him,
self to the Democratic party, from which
he never separated. Soon after the COM
mencemcnt of the war, and whilst our
troops upon the frontier were sadly dig
tressed, if not actually beaten by the
superior discipline of the British, young
Gillis entered heart and soul into the
raising and equippiIg of company of
Dragons as volunteers into the army.
This was soon effected, and finer body
Of men never appeared upon the scene
of action. They were all picked men,
exceedingly well mounted and equipped
The officers were duly commissioned
young Gilis among the number. They
proceeded to the line and placed them
selves under the general government
They did their duty. Gillis in the mean
time was promoted. This company Of
cavalry crossed into Canada, was in the
battle of Lundy's Lane ana several Sc
we're skirmishes. From their efficiency
and activity they were frequently de
tached as scouts. IL one of these ex
peditions, Gilhs's command "a small
body'of men) having penetrated little
too far, found themselves hemmed in b,
a company of British cavalry. TO fgh
such odds was madness; their only re
source was flight. This was unavailing
as another detachment had anticipated
theirretreat, cutting off and surrounding
them. A mortifying surrender, and the,
were prisoners. Smith, one of the par
ty, a musical, quaint genius, whose hors
had fallen broadside, with rider unde
him, could be heard chanting the dole
full ditty of Captain Kidd:
And taken was at last, as wc rode, SC.
There was no hope for it. They wer
captives, but Young Americans" au
made their captOrS incessaut annoyance
by their high bearing, and what nigh
under their circumstances be called il
science. Gillis, (for chastising Britis
soldier for some impertinonce, or prob;
, bly, disobeying an order from a prisoner
was placed in close confinement for
while, whilst Smith was keeping up a
r annoyance with old Revolutionary song
5 about Bunker Hill and when and whel
e the British were whipped. These ma,
= cap prisoners were taken to Quebec an
placed on board Of a cartel, with ii
pleasant prospect of long sojourn
Dartmoor, England. Gillis and thrt
: or four others contrived to escape |
e procuring boat, and crossed the S
4 Lawrence to the Eastern shore, az
struck off into the wilderness intendi1
: to reach the States. Hunger compellC
l. them to seek the settlements, where tn,
It were betrayed. A proclamation hi
4 reached these denizens, and they we
taken back, with a still surer prospe
of seeing Old England than ever. B
o the tide of war had somewhat retrog
t ded, and at Halifax they were eIcha
n zed. From the closs Of the war uu