The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-09-17
; NO. 4.
EX-TREAsUgER SPINNER
PLEASANT REGoLLEcwoNs OF HIS EAR
LY LIFE.

Frederick E. Spinner was born in
the Town Of Herkimer, some seventy
years ago. At the age Of seventeen
lie removed to Amsterdam, and, after
a short apprenticeship, entered the
harness shop of "Uncle David" De
Forrest. He worked for him for
some time, and then went into part
nership, but this was soon dissolved.
He was famous reader during his
sojourn in Amsterdam, and could
generally be found reclining in some
shady nook pouring over some liter
airy work. History was his fayorite
and he always remembered every
thing lie read. At one time parties
sent to an Albany library to learn as
TO the correct version Of some dispu-
ted question, but in this case, as al,
ways, Spinner's never failing memo
ry was found to be right. He used
to annoy Mr.. DcForrcst terribly by
his habit of sitting up late at night
reading, while "Unclc David" vainly
sought to court the drowsy god, I'M
Til at last ''forbearance ceased to be
virtue" and we'll aimed pillow
would generally put an extinguishcr
upon both the candle and the literary
flame. While here he spent great
deal of time practising upon the ia
nous autograph which has figured
upon so many grecnbacks, and fur
Inishes to quill drivers an endless
theme for witticisms. Mr.. DeFor-
rest remembers to have seen 200
sheets Of foolscap upon which Spin
ner had scrubbed his inimitable sig
nature. BY assiduous practice he
acquired a species of hicroglyphic
which no forger has ever been found
rash enough to wrestle with. After
the dissolution Of partnership with
Nr. DeForest, Mr.. Spinner returned
to Herkimer, and soon slowed his
enterprising nature by advocating
the paving and tagging Of the streets
which were then in deplorablc condi-
ton. He carried out the measure in
spite of determined opposition, and
the village soon wore a new and i'm
proved aspect. Ofthis improvement
Mr.. Spinner said, that "while it was
being carried out no man in town
had SO many enemies, but when it
was finished no one had SO MANY
friends" Soon after Mr.. Spinner
was prominently mentioned" for
the position of sheriff of Herkimer
county, but certain old citizen
named Bellinger was determined to
have the honor of the office without
any of the duties incumbent upon it.
Consequently an arrangement was
agreed upon by which Bellinger was
elected sheriff in name, while Spinner
performed all the duties. When the
insane asylum was being built, MI.
Spinner was one of the oyerseers of
the work, and while engaged in the
duty unwittinsly gave offence to Gov.
Seward, and was soon after allowed
vacation for an indefinite period of
time. Presently he was heard from
as the Republican candidates for con-
gress from the Herkimer district,
and was triumphantly elected, chan
ging district usually sure for 1000
Democratic majority to 1900 Repub-
lican. He served his term in con-
gress with credit, and at its close APP
piled to President Lincoln for mod
est naval berth, but was informed
that something better was in store
for him, and was soon after appoin-
ted treasurer of the United States.
At the close Of his term he returned
to Mohawk, and there met again the
friend and partner of his youthful
days, whom he had not seen in 81
years. Mr.. DeFocest recalls with
great satisfaction this pleasant re-
union. Mr.. Spinner gave his old
friend hearty welcome, and they
spent happy hour together living
old times over again. 1 Amsterdam
IN. Y. Democrat.
-THE newest thing in lace work