Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-17
Misfellaneons.
THE DRUMMER Boz OF -WNDY's LANE.

The Hanks-Daily tragedy at San Fran
cisco reminds US of a rather remarkable
incident in the life of Jarvis F. Hanks, the
father Of Lester c. Hanks, while resi-
dent of Cleveland. Lester c. Hanks and
John L. Daily were both Cleveland boys
the latter a brother of Daily who built
the Windsor in New York and committed
suicide a few months ago. The incident ,
was this: During the Canadian rebellion
or Patriot war" as it was called--un-
der William Lloyd Mackenzie, in the vim
ter OF 1887 and 1888, Gen. Scott was sent
to the frontier to see that the neutrality q
laws were observed, and to keep things
quiet generally. After breaking up the
camp on Navy Island he went to Detroit
and spent night at Cleveland on his way.
ln the evening he addressed concourse
OF citizens in the dining-room of the
American House. While relating what he
had just accomplished on the Niagara
frontier, he very naturally alluded to hts
former achievements there, and especially
10 the battle of Lundy's Lane. He gave
an incident of the battle that affected him
very much at the time. In the midst of
the battle his attention was directed to two
drummer boys who were in very ex-
posed position. One drum had been
broken by the shot OF the enemy, and the
two boys had hold of the other drum con.
tending for its possession. Just as the
General sent to order them TO a more shell.
tered place cannon ball struck off the
head of one of the boys The survivor d
stood dazed,o still holding the drum and 4
looking at the body OF bis slain companion
PROSTATE at his feet. Gen. Scott said il
was one of the most affecting scenes he
had ever witnessed. ir % lS' oe biaeds
Just after the battle and subsequently, q
he had made diligent inquiry for the boy, ~,
but had never been able to get any word
of him, and he would now be delighted
to know what had become Of him At q
this juncture Mr.. Hanks stepped forward .
and said: Gen. Scott, 1 am that drum, I
mer boy" thrill ran through the room.
Mr.. Hanks was received by Gen Scott
with open arms, amid the cheers and ap- g
plause of the assembly. He then briefly
gave his version of the story, which he af- ,
terward prepared in detail for the press.
This incident brought Mr.. Hanks very
prominently before the public, and for
several years he enjoyed the undsputedn
title and honors of the Drummer Boy oil "a
Lundy's Lane" But conscience, like Ban
quo's ghost, would not down, and after
enduring its goading for season Mr. 2
Hanks again came before the public, and .
this time with the humilitating confession,
that what he had said to Gen. Scott and
through the press was wholly false there
was no truth in it. When he heard the
incident related, and no one had claimed
its honors, it occurred to him at the mo-
ment that there was an opportunity for
him to distinguish himself. The tempta-
ton was too great. In an evil moment
his vanity and desire for nutoriety over
came all other considerations, and he
made the announcement as we have agiv.q
en- it above. st sialsd ~ iw uoi -pwe
MIR. Hanks removed to New Jersey
where he died several years ago. The
real claimant never appeared.