The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-07-03
GARFIELD AS A CANAL BOY.
"reminiscences of Old Captain Myers, who
First Gave Him Work.
Fran the Ne,r York Times.

| Fran the Ne,c York Times.
Mr.. Jonathan Myers, whose Office is at
No. 152 Monticello avenue, Jersey City,
thirty odd years ago, was the captain of
a canal boat on the Ohio canal. He it
was who gave the first employment to
"Jim" Garfield, as he was then known,
poor but very bright and intelligent lad
of IL years. A Times reporter called ON
Mr.. Myers few days ago. and the fol-
lowing conversation occurred concerning
the boy:
Mr. Myers, asked the reporter, twill
you be kind enough to state what you
know about young Garfield while he was
in your employment as driver of your
boat %
"IIe was driver for me on the Ohio
canal replied Mr.. Myers. Il have
watched his career ever since he left me-
and have felt very much interested in
him. and gratitied to see what he has
achieved. The first time he ran for the
Legislature of Ohio, he was in my dis
trict, and / voted for him: after that I
moved East, and that is the only time |
ever voted for him. When he left me he
did not boat any more. 1t is mistake
about his ever having been steersman.
| He was not large enough for a steers
man. When he was in my employ he
was not more than ID years of age. | re-
member well when he applied to me for
a job on my boat. He was very stout,
healthy boy, and his frank, open coun-
tenance impressed me so much that | at
once employed him. He was always full
of fun, and exceedingly good natured.
never saw him mad. He was with me
about three months. He was always very
attentive to his business. He was also n
great boy to read, If he was not busy,
he was always reading. scarcely ever
saw him Idle. One day, rs We were go
ing up the canal, he came to me and said
that he would like to get Il place where
he could work and attend school. KNEW
of doctor by the name of Robinson, who
lived near me, and was in need of a boy
to attend his horse and do chores about
his place. | told jim he had better go
up and try the doctor, and If he had not
got boy, he had better get the place
disliked 10 part with him, but | saw he
| was too intelligent lad to be driving a
canal boat. He went up, and the doctor
froze to him at once. The doctor was
what you might call minister. He was
Campbellite, and very good man, in
deed. During the first winter Jim was
with the doctor he got converted, and
| after he rot converted they froze to him
tighter than ever. When spring came,
Jim wanted to get some work to enable
him to buy some clothes, and he spoke
to the doctor about it. The doctor told
him that he must not leave school; that
he must 90 through now. Jim said
Doctor, but haven't got any money
| The doctor told him that was all right,
that he would stand behind him."
Captain, do YOU remember any thing
about him as no came to you when you
frat saw hims'
CAN remember is that he was a very
poor boy, and that was very favorably
impressed with him. These canal boys
were generally shiftless lot of fellows,
and it was hard work to get good boy.
Our boats we've different then from what
they are now. We used to have them
fitted up nicely to carry passengers rs