The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-08-11
NUMBER 80.
Henry Slower.

ABOUT ln6 year 1/SU, DaFlu StONef, Il
young farmer of old York, came to the
then unincorporated town Of Limerick
and commenced the cultivation of what
has since been known as the StOver farm,
about two miles east of the village. He
shortly after married Limington girl,
and, in accordance with custom of his
fathers, in due time added to the town S
population family Of twelve children ~
ten boys and two girls. The house he
dwelt in is now standing, forming the ell
to the large main house since built on
the farm.
1t is Of Henry Slower, one Of these ten
sturdy boys, that we now write. Sitting
in the shade Of tine appletree on the
farm where he now lives, not far from the
old homestead, few mornings since, we
listened to his recital Of events in his
somewhat busy life. At the age Of -
years his Young wife and child We're taken
from him by death. The ties OF home
thus sundered, he became a rover, and
for many years was completely lost sight
of by his family and friends
In 1891 he entered the naval service
Of the United States and went On board
the 74-gun ship North Carolina, which
carried 900 men, where he served three
years next he shipped for three years on
the slOop-o war Potomac, :36 guns and
300 men. Having now become Il thorough
going sea-dog he again entered the ser
vice On board the razee-74 Independence,
carrying 50 Guns, where he remained SIN
years. ut the close of this long term of
service he again shipped aboard the
frigate States, 80 guns and Geo men,
where he continued until 1851, five years,
making in all 4 continuous service in the
navy Of seventeen years.
During the Mexican war he was i'll one
Of the fleet of vessels that bombarded
Vera Cruz. His ship, however. sailed
from the harbor ten days before the close
Of the war, thus depriying himself and
others Of the pension which government
now pays the survivors. Most of his
years Of service were on the African coast
Watching slave traders, though lie was
twice through the Straits Of Gibraltar and
once around Cape Horn. lie held the
positions Of Ships corporal and captain
of the atterguard for sGyera. years
Those were the days of grog and cat
o. mine tails-When government dealt out
Jack a half pint Of rum daily and trced
him NJ to the rigging and whipped him
with a ropes end if tile rum made him Il
little free with his tongue
"Salors," said Uncle Henry, "are like
some COWS that give a nice mess Uf milk
and then kick it over! They 90 to sea
steady for three years and then come
ashore and in Us many days spend every
dollar they have earned. Did you ever
hear of William Lloyd Garrison, the great
abolitionist 2" he asked "Well," his
brother, JAS. H. Garrison was boatsWain' s
matt on a ship that | Was in. He was a
true sailor, but Wild one. once when
paid off in Boston, he and had a big
lark. We engaged an Irish hand-cart-
man to wheel us about the city, We
both got in, back to back Garrison act
ing as driver, with ! lonG rattan with
which he occasionally touched up the
animal. OF course we We're we'll filled up
with rum, not tol getting liberal supply
to our Irish horse. The figure we cut as
we went jogging through the streets was
, funny enough. 1t every corner grOg
shop Garrison would bring the horse to
4 halt, declaring that he needed M0yr
outs; and he kept on teasting the critter
with bottled oats until his legs went out
from under him and he fell to the pave
ment in i heap, But that was long ago,
and the navy and men Of that time are
now almost forgotten"
II shall soon have all night in" said
the old sailor rehectiyeIy. "Nes, Very
soon Like life on 4 man-0'-War, it's 4
straight course; if you follow the plain
rules Of The ship and obey the Captain 5
orders you have nothing to fear; there
will be no punishment you know it will
be all right when the voyage is over"
Mr.. S. was born August, l~0G, and
seventy five years Of labor and hardship
have left their seal upon bis once vi4or-
GUS frame. Since 1881, when he gave up
sea life. he has been one Of Limerick S
most Industrious farmers, and has accu-
undated /, snug property. His second
wife died few months ago. and he is
now quietly resting ~ his oars till the
log book Of hi;cventfullifes shall be closed
up, Ossipec Valley News.