Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-07-26
4 REMARKABLY MAN.
Timothy Ruggles, Lawyer, Landlord,
Legislator. and soldier of the Last
Century.

Timothy RuggIes, Lawyer, Landlord,
Legislator. and soldier OF the Last
Century.
a remarkable character whoappear-
ed in Sandwich in the year 1886 was
Timothy RuggleS, who came from ac-
ross BuZzard's bay from the old town
of Rochester. He was a wonderful
specimen. Born Oct II, III, and
was practicing law in his native town
at the age of q, in 1875, having pre-
viously graduated from Harvard col
lege i'm the year 1892, the year of the
birth Of George Washington. Rugg-
/ les was the son of the Rochester min
lister. Three years after Ruggles
arrival in Sandwich. in the year 1899,
he managed to be elected to the gen
erals court Previous to his election,
in 1886 he married the widow Bath
sheba Newcomb, by whom he had SIX
children Bathsheba inherited by a
former husband the ancient tavern on
the immediate border ofShawnee pond
so that Ruggles from beng a mere
guest at this wayside ina became a
landlord. and the old sign is not to be
taken down by any means, and by the
side of the old sign went up the profes-
sional single of IT Ruggles,
attorpey-atlaw.' He proved himself
man of various accomplishments
He practiced successfully at two bars,
waited al once ON the table and stables,
and afterward proved himself a mill
tary man of more than common mark
1t was difficult for casual observer Ia
determine whether he was the more
expert in curing a horse or mixing a
cock tail impressing his guests most
on profound principles of statesman
ship. or being honest and level headed
as umpire on pitching qu0itS or run
ming a foot-race. After several years
of residence i'm Sandwich lac removed
to the town of Hardwick, in the
county of Worcester and he repre-
scented Hardwick in the Legislature
+ for several years, and was speaker OF
/ the house. He went as colonel and
headed a body of troops TO JON Sir
William Johnson in the expedition to
Crown Point in 1865, and he was only
second in command at the famous
battle of Lake George. Ruggles was
several years a bngadier general
under Lord Amherst He was at
one time Judge of the court Of com
mon pleas, and subsequently chief
Justice of the same court. lie was a
delegate with James Otis and Partridge
to the colonial convention, and was
made president Of that body IN l765.
He was a man of whom it might
truthfully be said that he was per
e. g., % "a a
of great self-assuTance, and bold and
fearless. His selfpoSsession never for
sock him. even when driven to the
wall. and his mental resources seemed
to have no bounds. His sagacity be
fore a jury was ren trkable; they
were often deceived into rendering al
unjust verdict. Coupled with all
his accomplishments and qualities, ne
was frst-class demagogue. He
was often pitted against James Otis,
and he was detested by that class Of
men.
In 1174 he was an active and de
termiued loyalst and tory He
kept himself concealed in Boston un-
til the city was evacuated, then he
sailed away for Halifax with the loyal
troops. where he organized body Of
three hundred refugee troops. many
of whose names are now familiar on
the cape Ruggles died IN the
province of Nova Scotia iii 1895, at
the ripe age of 81 years; for IN Sep
TENDER. l77s, an act was passed by
the legislature Of Massachusetts, bay
prohibiting. under the pain of DEATH
any of such to return after being sent
out of the province for joining the
enemies Of the country. Ruggles was
six feet six inches in height, and had
a fine stately bearing, and was man
of infinite Jest IL is related,
through traditional sources, that at
the coming in Of the supreme court Of
iudicature at Barnstable, about the
year 1142. headed by the Chief Justice
Lvne. am old and decrepit woman
came into the court house as a wit
ness. and. not seeing seat at hand,
She was directed BY Ruggles 10 take
the chief justices seat, and SO she IN
nocentlv took it. Soon the court, in all
the provincial pomp and circumstance
entered with the accompanied officers,
and announced The court" Where
upon the CHEF justice, with no small
degree 81 Indignation, inquired Of the
old lady why she was there. She
Immediately pointed to Ruggles, and
said That man told me 70 take
this seat The chief justice ordered
her to leave his scat, and, after the