The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1876-08-12

SSAS6s~~S -
before the convention adjourned Q VOTE
was taken for Governor and s. A. Cobt
received nearly all the votes.
CAPTAIN COLEMAN.
Our State is rich in heroes with un'
written histories. Many of these are
passing from the public vision and in q
few short years are lost in oblivion. Lei
rs not in the avocations of peace forget
those through whose efforts and sacrifices
and great deeds We are freed from the
thrall of devastating war and to whose
example We are also to some extend in.
debted for what there is of character in
Us.
Entertaining these sentiments, with
unskilled pen and inadequate knowledge
of the nativity and earlier history of the
man, 1 shall essay to speak of him as he
impressed me and his associates to whom
was accorded his friendship and his con-
fiGence-I refer to C. F. Coleman than
whom no Drawer and truer patriot drew
a sword in our late struggle for national
life.
He was a quiet, transformations, ear.
nest citizen of our country at the break
ing out of the rebellion. He entered the
military service in the 9th Kansas Cav
airy and was soon after elected and COM
missioned captain. Many members of
his company are citizens of our county.
Captain Coleman participated in all
the engagements of his regiment, but
gained no marked distinction as an officer
until thrown into independent COM
mand of his own and other companies of
his regiment, on the border and in the
interior of Missouri. With this COM
mand untrammeled by puerile orders of
incompetent superiors, in battles with
Quantreps and Livingston's bands of
guerillas he soon developed into the
most intrepid, indefatigable partisan
leader of the war.
His soldierly qualities were recog-
nized by his superiors to the extent only
of keeping him almost constantly in the
most hazardous and exhausting service
known to the army.
Were the Bush.rangers of the "Sny
Hills" to be routed from their haunts, or
an immense supply train to be escorted
through mountain passes to beleagured
troops, Captain Coleman and his men
we're assigned to this duty, and no officer
ever discharged such arduous duties
more skillfully nor more successfully
han he. Sustained by his valiant and
trusted friends, Captains Flesher and
Pike, and their subordinates, he seemed
10 be invincible. His name was terror
10 the lawless dog soldiers of the confed-
sracy, and they never came forth seattle
less from a rencounter with MIN. His
:aution and judgment were coextensive
With his bravery. He shared every ex-
,osure and danger with his men, and
never was leader more beloved and
'evered by lis followers than he. He
was as tender of heart and generous as
,e war brave, and throughout his event. |
Ill and sanguinary career not a deed of
vanton cruelty is charged to him. He
vas as remarkable for his modesty as for |
lis other qualities, and while others ex-
oiled his genius, he ever seemed uncon-
cious of it himself.
Notwithstanding he stood without a
'eer in his regiment, incompetent drones
we're promoted over him, yet he was
lever known to assert his superior claim
Tor never did he become soured, but
vent on cheerfully doing his duty in
lis sphere leaving to smaller minds the
quabble of superior rank.
The exposure consequent upon the
lature and character of the service in
which he was engaged undermined his
vigorous constitution. This
'ecame apparent at the close of the war
Vhen the stimulus of his country's need
Or his service no longer existed.
On his return home he was elected
'heriff of this county, served acceptably
nd resided with his family in this town,
9 modest and earnest as a citizen as he
ad been soldier.
He resigned think before the expi-
alton of his official term, and removed
nth his family to Cas- county Missouri
q the vicinity of Harrisonville, and en-
aged with his characteristic energy in
arming. Here he was brought in con-
act with many of his former bushran-
ing enemies, but such was either the
'kolesome fear he had inspired on the
ED or the respect they could not refuse
D accord him, certain it is that he lived
eaceably in their midst.
In the spring of 1873 his lungs became
, affected that he leased his farm and
18th his family journeyed to Colorado
u the benefit of his health. While on
his journey, near the west line of the
tate I spent q day with him. Had
salized that this was destined to be our
lst meeting. should have gathered in
idents, of his earlier life, which would
ave enabled me to have made this de-
lltory narrative something more nearly
pproaching q history than l have been :
BILE to do. he located near Colorado ,
prings and went into temporary bust
ess. In the following autumn he re-