Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-08-17

FINDING no escape from lawsuit the
old warrior paid the money with any
thing but good grace.
General Patterson was wonderfully
punctilious in bis social engagements.
He never failed to attend the vespers
OF the late Henry Carey on a Sunday
evening. After chatting and slipping
rich old wines and talking over old
times he would take his antiquated
hat as the clock struck nine and pro.
ceed to his home. Besides being o
thorough church member he rarely
missed wedding or funeral that oc-
CURED in the family of those connect
ed with the congregation with which
he worshiped. For years it was his
habit to eat but two meals day. He
never lunched or even tasted water
between breakfast and dinner. After
dinner he would start for a drive thro'
the Park at certain hour and return
at a regular time. 1t was in conse.
quence of his rigid rule regarding the
use of his coach and pair that bis
daughters and granddaughters had
very little use of the team. His hours
for driving did not suit the ladies and
the result was that the splendid pair
of horses were but little employed. In
other respects his rigid enforcement Of
old customs about his household and
his peculiar habits abroad made him
an odd figure IN this bustling period.
In 1861, when the war fever ran
high, it occurred to certain politicians
that the old veteran was disloyal, be.
cause he was a staunch Democrat,
and they sent o crowd TO his residence
to compel him TO hoist the stars and
stripes over his housetop. A number
of friends got wind Of the proceedings
and rallied TO the Generals house and
placed themselves inside for his de.
tense. The multitude came, and the
venerable citizen stepped to the front
of his residence and boldly faced them.
He told them be had heard OF their
visit and that he was ready for them.
"l have fought for my country and
for the old flag in two great wars and
/ shall do as much against the present
rebellion. But | do not apologize to
you. You will be sorry for this wrong
to one of my years. But before | go
| want to give you little advice: Go
to the front yourselves and when you
have shown the right kind OF patriot
ism you can come and teach it to me. "
This bit of wisdom scattered the party
like sheep.
In January, 1880, the Aztec Club
rendered TO "their honored President" "
General Patterson, a dinner, at Del
monico's, in New York. General Han
cock presided and number of promi.
nent officers of the old army were
present. The speeches were oil highly
eulogistic of the guest, and among the
letters read was one from General
Sherman, who said at will be ply
sically impossible for me to como on
that day, and | regret it extremely,
for there is no man in America for
whom / entertain more respect and
affection than General Patterson. His
whole life, now measured by eighty
eight years has not only been noble
and patriotic in an eminent degree,
but has been the type of honorable in
dustry and OF the practice OF the finest
social qualities. he is in history a
strong link between the men who
built up this Government and those
who saved it in the cruel civil war.
In every epoch of this century we
find bis name associated with the
bravest and best in peace and war,
ready at all times with his pen, his
purse and his sword TO sustain the
right. He does possess and enjoy at
this moment more OF the respect and
affection of his comrades and fellow
countrymen than any living man, and
| pray that his life may be spared to
tho last minute allotted to man on
earth"
THE GENERAL AS A MERCHANT.
In his habits and business relations
General Patterson was particularly
quaint. His military training was
evident in the rigid methods OF his
daily pursuits. His hours Of arising,
of breakfasting, of going to business
and returning home TO dine were as
regular as the clock. He was as plain
as a Quaker in his attire and clung to
old raiment as long as it clung TO him,
Every morning, regardless Of the state
of the weather, between quarter OF
and eight o'clock the erect figure Of
the General could bo seen passing
down Chestnut street to his office, two
doors below Second. In Summer bis
massive head was covered with an old
straw hat which has seen years Of
service, and his sturdy trunk in an
old.fashioned blue cut-away coat, with
brass buttons Of style so ancient that
its precise ago could not be fixed, Be
meath this he wore O nankeen vest and
below the vest pair Of linen trousers
of fashion long lost TO the memory Of
the Oldest tailor When the nipping
winds of Winter played with his locks
bis head was hid in a well.brushed but
very old silk hat of liberal brim an
old military coat, artistically decora'
ted with broad silk braid, hung loose,
ly over his person, while an ill.ftting
pair of trousers covered his sturdy
legs. Such was his garb for years.
When he reached his office, which
was always before his clerks, ho pro
ceeded TO the extreme end OF the un,
carpeted and uninviting room, and
throwing off his coat, slipped into ar
ancient diugy.bluo wrapper that hsd
seen service for at least quarter Of 0
century; then, adjusting II little knit
smoking cap on his head, hauled ar
old fashioned, cushionless chair up tC
an antiquated desk and began to e
over his letters.
For years General Patterson wal
the largest individual manufacturer IL
the whole country, aud this branch o
business, coupled with his dealings il
cotton and the disposition OF his goods
made the matter Of answering CORE
spondents a labor anything but light
HIS manner generally was decidedly
brusque, and il was with feeling
akin to timidity that he was approach
cd by those not intimate with him
At heart, however his impulses wer,
good and his intentions kindly.
In little things the General was pc
culiarly economic, He would coun
tenance no waste, however trivial, anC
rebuked extravaganza on every occa
sion. His Office was o long room, heat
cd by one stove, located about midway
in tho apartment. With on iron con
stitution himself he little suffered from
the Geld, and in Winter when the blast
were mining his aDartment was neve