Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-12-08
A STRANGE HISTORY.
A Soldier Of1S12 PensIOned Mt the age
Of S8--A survivor OF Harrison!
Campaign gets 200 Back Pay.

Under this heading the Sunday Journal
digs up relic from Wood county, of the
war of 1912, whom its reporter found in
Toledo taking legal advice and looking
after back pay. The following statement
is given after an interview with the old
man:
The old mans name is Richard Eggles-
ton-for years he has been known as "old
uncle Dick Eggleston." For well toward
quarter of a century he lived in central
Wood county-in Webster township. In
that region he was known as the simple
minded, harmless old man. When able to
work he was n sort Of shiugle maker. Early
travellers through those "wilds," when the
famous Black Swamp road, the McCutch-
envillc, was the main southern thorough
fare from Perrysburg and Fort Meigs to
the interior of the State, many remember
him rs a slow plodder who made shingles
at the Ten-Mile House, ten miles south Of
Perrysburg, in what was then, to put it in
the travellers language, "the worst God
forsaken looking country the sun ever stole
glimpse at" The man was 80 obscure rs
to be known only by two things: his pow
erty and his harmlessness.
His presence in that wild country is con-
nected with the story aud history. In the
campaigns Of the war of 1912 Gen. Harri-
son made a march from Lower Sandusky
to Fort Meigs, through the dense forest,
cutting trail of uniform width through
the timber for his wagons and artillery.
Traces OF this trail remain to-day. In the
ranks of a battalion of Harrisonis infantry,
portion Of the lst New York regiment, was
young stripping of fellow who had
come with company raised on the shores
| of Like Champlain. This march was Ga
years ago. The youth was enrolled in the
company, "Richard Eggleston, aged 22,"
and he it is, now ut the age OF S6, who,
known as "Uncle Dick" turns up for II
final streak of good fortune just as bard
| life closes.
During the Harrison campaign Esgles-
ton was detached with a small body, and
sent to post on the upper lakes. One
day while absent from the post short dis
tance he was captured by prowling body
of Indians and British, and carried to a
distant English station, ns he saws, "intO
Canada" where he says he was kept pris-
oner lG years! If he is not mistaken
about the time, it is likely that he was
long detained, aud in the confusion of the
close Of the war, the mastering out of SOL
diers, and, withal, the distant means of
communication, that he simply remained
n long time with the people at the post 10
which he had been taken. Yet he says he
was not permitted TO return, and was
placed at service in different capacities at
the distant post. Finally he found him
self undetained, and concluded to return.
Having lived in wild country always he
sought such again. He wandered toward
the lake region, and finally down the
chain to the south shore of Erie. Here he
remembered the dense timber along his
bOyhood march. He found the trail, fol-
lowed it out to a region which is probably
now known as East Settlement" which
is near the Ten Mile House above alluded
to. Here with intervals OF wandering to
better settled countries-but never exceed
ing in distance day or two's journey on
foOt-he spent his life, unknown almost
and unknowing lie married on one of
his journeys, somewhere in Seneca county,
and had no children until few years ago,
when singular matrimonial event took
place-as singular as the rest OF his life.
II was s years ago. His wife was old and
inhrm and being taken suddenly sick he
got Young woman TO come and care for
her. She wIs in the family but two weeks
ed her and Dick" to the bed
side, blessed them, said she was
going to die, and wanted the two to be
married at once, and insisted on witness
ing the ceremony. A Justice of the Peace
was called but would not do as they wish
ed Subsequently they were married, i'm
mediately upon the death Of the old wife.
lie was then 7S, aud the new companion
Is, disparity Of 60 years What is still
more remarkable. by the new marriage
| there are two children aged and years.
The remainder of this singular chapter
is Joy to the old man. Recently some pry-
ing person discovered that he had never
received any Government pay. Invesl+ +sa
tiOn followed. resulting in establishing a
clear case To both back pay and Govern
ment pension. The case has been worked
mp, and Hon. Frank Hurd has tho matter
arranged, awaiting only certain papers
which 'Urcle Dick" has only 10 20 to
Bowling Green to get. lie was on his way
there when Ia the city. The snn waiting
to his credit IL serea hoHsaIsd dollars, which
will make him seven times a Rothschihl,
compared With the circumstances Of his
hard life,