Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-11-13
"Reminiscences of Hon. Thomas
Ewing-His ExceIIencei 10 in Athletic
SnOrla. ....... arH 81. ~

A correspondent of the Ohio State
Journal writes
"I was born at the old village Of
Franklinton, which was the seat of JUS
tice for Franklin county until 1925 or
1926. In my boyhood was frequent
attendant in the old courthouse during
the. sessions of the court, where was
often gathered the best legal talent OF
the State.
az well recollect the first time | saw
Thomns Ewing, then a young lawyer,
not yet having much business or making
much of mark. i was struck with his
large head and generally massive and
muscular, but rather awkward build. II
was summer time, and the Court had
adjourned early in the afternoon. Seve-
eral of the lawyers remained and the
conversation turned upon athletic exer
cisesA and feats Of strength. Among
those present was Joe Mcdowell a
brother of 5Abram and John. He de.
cIared that he was so swift of foot that
he had never been beaten in race OF
one hundred yards, and he believed he
could not be beaten. and offered to bet
ten dollars he could beat any one in the
crowd. Finally 0rris Parrish took him
up, and they went out on the green. 1t
was not yet determined who was to be
McDowells competitor, but when the
ground was measured off Mr.. Ewing,
who had taken but little part in the con-
yersation, and whose demeanor had
been very modest and retiring, offered
himself to run the race, and 70
the surprise of all, for none sup
posed ne could run. Judges and
Stockholders were appointed, and
| will never forget the CLEAN OF Ew-
ing's eye or his air Of resolution as he
stripped off coat, vest and shoes, and
took his place. The word go was given,
and the young athletes sprang off with
an even start; soon, however, Ewing be-
gan to gain, and came to the winning
post well ahead of Mcdowell, who was
SO chsgrined at the result that he began
to fnd excuses, and said he had tripped
and stumbled or otherwise he would
have won. Ewing smiled and said:
Well, if you are not satisfied, let us try
again They did run again and Me
Dowell was beaten worse than before.
Other sports and trials were made
Standing jumps, running jumps, shoul
dering stones, throwing the AK and the
maui, in all of which Mr.. Ewing proved
his superiority, and finally the high
iump over stretched string was tried
Mr.. Ewing made no attempt at this, nm
ill Mr.. Mcdowell, who proved the best
challenged him to beat that Ewing
WILL Int nd una haQf
and when Mcdowell was done, Ewing
put the string four inches higher, and
stepping back few feet came at it with
curious sidelong swing and motion
and over he went amid the cheers Of the
crowd.
Some twenty years ago, when serving
on the City School Board with William
Long, we were one evening waiting iol
a quorum when our conversation ranged
over some Of the men and incidents ol
our early settlement Said Mr., Long
1t was, / think, somewhere about 1914
when l was chunk Of a boy that my
father sent me in search Of some horses
that had strayed away We were then
living in Ross county,, and L bad gone
upinto the eastern edge of -Piekaway
looking in the rich range of that region
for the missing horses, when crossing
one of the natural grassy prairles and
listening for the sound of the horse /
bell. which was familiar to me, l found q
cow bell in my path, which fastened to
nv body and amused myself with its
clatter as walked along. AT some dis
ta-ce perceived a man coming in a
direction that would soon intercept my
path. As we approached | noticed he
was dressed in a hunting shirt and buck
skin, breeches, and intently reading q
hook. AS we met he stopped suddenly
and thrusting the book into the bosom
of his shirt. he said abruptly, Where
did YOU get that bell?' found it back
here. "Well" said he, " it is my bell
and / mean to have it'' Il replied, il
YOU are stronger than am you can gel
It. He Immediately seized me with a
hug like a bear and attempted to crush
me down. was strong, active and wiry
far beyond my looks, and after severe
tussle he suddenly let me go, and break
ing into hearty laugh, said: You are
a better man than j took you fori what
is your nameH / replied, my name is
William Long-what is your namei
"Tom Ewing is my name, was the re
ply =, A.. o.;,.c
salt.works, and after a few minutes con
versation we parted, he pulling out his
book and reading, and | rejoicing il
the clatter Of my COW bell. Our mex
meeting was in the courthouse in
Franklington years afterward, where
had been summoned as q Juror. ltnn.
i"I mention these incidents now,
trust, without impropriety, for | believe
it was the early physical training which
Mr.. Ewing received that enabled him
not only TO compete successfully IN all
athletic sports, but gave him also that
capacity Of endurance that his great
brain-power required. We all know
what, an intellectual giant he became
and that in his death Ohio has lost hei
foremost man, one whose memory she
will cherish and delight to honor here
after, when the -mists aud prejudices oi
parties and Of politics shall have cleared
sways i'r ~ tt.tt".t - q