The Princeton union., 1877-12-05
Ct Lendon, Z. Won. Hoffman s. Co., and
Winslnw, Lanier & Co IA .sssss,s
and
The Story 0f one New York Politician
Who was RAined by Ram.

The Story Zone New York Politician
who was Rained by Rpm.
john Knickerboeker De Ffeest. one Of
the best known characters iii this city.
says q recent ntimberof the AIbany Times,
met his death last night at the Broad way
crossing He attempted to pass over the
tracks at about $50 o'clock last eyening.
and while doing so was struck by tile
8:45 train, drawn by two engines, going
west. He was warned by the fagman
not tocIoss, but pushed on and had, lust
stepped from the track when a project
ing girod of locomotive No. 460 struck
him on the hip. knocking him several
feet. lie was at once picked up and
taken TO st. Peters Hospital, where DIR.
Gnrley attended him. He was found to
be badly injured Internally; his head
,Was3bruised, and blood issued from his
ears. No bones were broken, although
an old fracture ofthe hip was discovered.
he continued to sink in spite of all that
could be done for him, and he died at
one o'clock. The old man was sintoxicat4
ed a. the time Of his death. er --,a i
" Mickey De Freest'R and his savings.
have been lbywords for years, notsoniy
In this city, where illusions were fre-
quently made to him in all kinds of pub
lie meetings from a ward gathering. 10
session cfthe Legislature, but his fame
had spread abroad, and many al news
paper writer in other cities has enriched
his rhetoric with quotations from the
Albany philosopher. $50 slow, solemn
times, !, is one Of the accepted sayings Of
the day. For years poor Mickey has
been the object of untold ridicule and
abuse Wherever lie went men and BOYS
gathered around to make fun of him, or,
worse still, to torment him. Liquor has
been his ruin, and Of late years he has
been seldom sober Many nights he
spent in Jail. Attimes he;Was a nuisance
and tin1id women and children feared to
pass him on the street, although he meant
harm to no one, but his actions were such
as'naturally to frighten the passer-by.
But he was not always thus. MANY
years ago he was a prominent politician
in Rensselaer, county, respectable and
wealthy farmer, and the head of an in
teliigent household. He was born OF,
the homestead in Blooming Grove, near
the beginning Of the presen century and
was brought up to agricultural pursuits.
1t is said that he sis the. hIst man who
brought milk from Rensselaer, county to
this city to sell, peddIng it about the
streets in buckets swung from a neck
yoke. He was aeolonel of militia under
General Genet; held several minor offices
in the county, and once ran as candidate
for member of assembly, but was defeat
ed. He was always fearless and out
spoken. and many stories are told Of him..
some of which hetold himself. One III
particular was an interview which he had
with Governor BouaE, who, by the way. waa,s.5
was q warm friend Of Colonel De Freest i,
and had promised to do something hand
some for him in the event of becoming
governor Not long after, Mickey was at
work on his fam when a messenger az
rived from Albany asking Mr.. De Freest
to call at once upon the governor
Mickey wss In the field sand his wife sent
for him to come in, and Impaired to him
thesmessage. "Shall go to-day?n asked
Mickey. "Certainly,n replied the wife.
A'Shall 7 put on my best clothes2" said
he. Certainly replied his spouse,
''put on your very best, and your ruffied
shirt. !" ssshall l go on horseback2n in /.
quired he again. ssNo, was The answer,
stake the carriage and let one OF the
hired men drive So taking his wife's
advice on all these Important particulars
Mickey came over to Albany in grand
style, sitting erect on the back seat of the
carriage, with his servant handling the
reins. They drove TO the executive
oh bar. 4 II
quired for his friend Governor Bonek,,.
and was told that he was in his private
room. Say to him that Colonel De
Freest has called TO see him upon special
invitation The colonel was at once
admitted and warmly greeted by the COY
ernor, wEo took him by Leth hands aud
led hiusto the sofa, where he seated.hinf-
sell. Now said the governor, this is
q strictly confidential interview. Here
is paper which you must take to Messrs.
Corning & Wasson and letgthen sigus it,
which they will readily 10, aud then
livery cortiden,iallyl, you are all right.
There can be no possible failure "Yes,
governor said Mickey, betraying con-
siderable eagerness, shut condaentiaIly.
now, what is all this about9a ssSays the
governor: 'Let ne say. in the strictest
confidence. we propose to make you post
master at Blooming Grove! There are
q great many applicants for the Office,
but the paper with my influence and
those signatt res viii be sure to. bring it.
But confidentialiy. you know, for there
are SO many wanting it that my action in
the matter might give offense. @"What,''
says Mickey, 'me postmaster at Bloom
ing Grevcl Why, there amt three letters
come there in a month. confdentialig
now, governor, if there are so many that
want the place, you'd better let them have
it. ! wouldn't take your post-office on
any consideration, and Colonel Knicker.
booker, whose expectations of something
handsome had been awfuIly disappoint
ed, marched out OF the executive cham
Der Euhed more in spirit even than ne
was in shirt bosom. n He lived, however.
TO laugh heartily over his confidential
interview witt, the governor, and heused
to dwell with special delight upen the
way he impaired the news to his wife on
his return to the farms S.
The Best Of Evidence.
The late Mrs Jane w woe eor.,Ir