Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-03-04
SOME "REMINISCENCES
of the BOyhOOd Days Of General
Custer aud Bishop Simpson.
Cor. Of Gin. Com.]

WASHINGTON, February 8, 1880.
A prominent Ohio politician, from
Cadiz, Harrison County, who is now in
the city, remarked to-day, that his little
town, nestled as it was among the rug
ged hills of Eastern Ohio, and almost
closed to the sight of the world by big
forests, had nurtured in their bOyhOod
three men who had filed large space
IN our country's history, and who, for
time to come, will live in the minds and
hearts of continent of people. Il re-
fer" says the eminent Ohio man, ito
BISHOP SIMPSON, GENERAL CUSTER AND
JOHN A. BINGHAM"
"Well, what about Custerw
George Caster was born in a little
frame house on little farm near New
ROmley, which is a little country place
about nine miles from Cadiz. His father
was farmer, and George was raised
there until he came to Cadiz to learn the
cabinet-making trade. His father sold
out and moved to Michigan when young
Custer was about nineteen years of age
Then young Custer spent some of his
boyhoOd days in Cadiz?"
"Yes, he attended school there for sew
eral terms at the old Academy, and af
terward went to learn the cabinet trade,
but / don't think he ever made much
progress in that line"
"How did he secure his appointment
to West Point?"
"Throngh John A. Bingham, who took
a fancy to him. He saw that there was
something in the young man and 30
pushed him along. Bingham was a good
Judge of boys, as well as of men, and he
could see that Clusters bright eyes, quick
perception and fluent manners marked
for him successful career if he ever
had chance to show himself. Bingham
determined to give him chance, and he
did aid Custer"
"What sort of looking boy was he =
"He was handsome, tall, straight, well
built, quick and agile, with a clear and
sparkling eye, well chiseled features, and
a compact head, which made him youth
of mark even in that little town, among
his play fellows"
"Did he display any of those qualities
of heroism that so distinguished his af-
ter career?"
Not at all, and quite to the reverse.
He was more distinguished for good
looks, quick movements and gentleman
ly demeanor than for courageous bOyish
exploits. AS an instance of his timidity
and lack of personal courage, he was
teaching q district school near CadiZ
when he was about seventeen years old,
and he totally failed in the undertaking.
Inside of the first week the boys had run
him out of the school and had taken pos
session of the house. They tossed him
ABOUT LIKE A BABY,
And the girls themselves even Joined in
the melee to laugh at and abuse him.
Custer felt so bad over this, it so wound
ed and, as he thought, disgraced him, that
he went home and took a good cry, and
for weeks was not seen by any but the
members of the family. During his en-
tire life in Cadiz and vicinity he did not
show any of the get up qualities that
afterwards made his name historic. The
first instance where he ever showed any
pluck was one night at a spelling school
held ut Hopedale. Custer was sitting
near window, and some big fellow on
the outside was standing at the window
making faces at him and calling him:
"Babyp
"Baby Custerr
"Oh,. dear, little darlingF
"When all at once Custer rose up and
as quick as lightning said; 'D-n your