Mexico weekly ledger., 1880-07-01
GARFIELD AS A CANAL-BOY.
"Reminiscences Of Old Capt. Myers, Who
First Gave Him Work
Eromthe New York Times,

Erolnahe New York Times. =. ...
Mr.. Jonathan Myers, whose office
is at No. 1872 Monticello avenue,
Jersey City, 80 odd years ago was
the captain III a canal-boat on the
Ohio Canal, He it was who gave the
first employment to "Jim" Garfield,
as he was then known, a poor, but
very bright and intelligent lad Of
thirteen. A Times reporter called on
Mr.. Myers a few days ago, and the
following conversation occurred con-
corning the boy:
"Mr. Myers asked the reporter,
''Wlll you be kind enough to state
what you know concerning young
Garfield while he was in your employ.
ment as driver Of your boat?"
He was driver for me on the
Ohio Canal replied Mr.. Myers.
II have watched his career ever since
he left me, and have felt very much
interested in him and .gratified to see
what he has achieved. The first tune
he ran for the Legislature of Ohio he
was in my district, and I voted for
him. After that / moved East, and
that is the only time l ever voted
Tor him. When he left me he did
no: boat any mere. Il is mistake
about his ever having been steers
man. He was not big enough for q
steersman. When he was in my
employ he WIS not more than thir.
teen years OF age. remember wei
when he applied 20 me for Job on
my boat, He was stout, health,
boy, and his frank, open csuntenance
impressed .ne so much that [ at once
employed hiui. He was always full
81 iun, ard exceedingly good -natur.
e4. l we've. saw him mad. He was
with me about three months. He
was always very attentive to his busi-
ness. He was also a great boy to
read. Ii he was not busy he was al.
ways reading scarcely ever saw
him idle. One day, as we were go.
ing up she canal, he came to me and
said that ne would like to get place
where he could work attend school,
| knew of doctor by the name Of
Robinson, who lived near me, and
who was in need OF boy to attend
bis horse, and do chores about the
place. l told Jim he had better &c
up and try the doctor, and if he had
not got boy he had better get the
place. disliked to 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 al
once. The doctor was what yor
might call minister. He was &
Campbeliite, and very good mar
indeed. During the first winter
Jim was with the doctor he got con.
yerted, and after he got converted
they 'froze' to him tighter than ever
When spring came Jim wanted te
get some work to enable him to bu,
some clothes, and he spoke to tht
doctor about it. The doctor told
him that he must not leave school
that he must go through now. Jim
said: Doctor, but l haven't GO
any money The doctor told hin
that all was right; that he woult
stand behind him.
Captain, do you remember any
thing about him as he came to you
when you first saw him?''
All l remember is that he was
very poor boy, and that was very
favorahly impressed with him. Thes,
] canai-boys were generally shiftles'
lot OF fellows, and it was hard worl
to get good boy. Our boats wer,
were different then from what the,
are now. We used to have then
fitted up nicely to carry passenger
as well as freight. My wife used t.
be on the boat with me, and sh
thought good deal of Jim.