The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-07-22
TIMOTHY RUGGLES,
A Remark able Man, Lawyer, Landlord,
Legislator aud
Soldier, Who Figured During the Last
Century.
A Man Equal to Every Fate.

A remarkable character who appeared in
Sandwich in the year 1876, was Timothy
Ruggles, who came from across Buxzard's
bay from the old town OF Rochester. He
was wonderful specimen. Born October
IL, I'LL, and was praoticing law in his ma
tive town at the age of q, in 1885, having
previously graduated from Harvard college
in the year 1889, the year OF the birth of
george Washington. Ruggles was the son
OF the Rochester minister. Three years
alter Ruggles arrival in Sandwich, In tine
year l'3O, he managed TO be elected TO the
general court Previous to his election In
LOO, he married the widow Bathsheba
Newcomb, by whom he had ak children.
bathsheba inherited by former husband
the ancient tavern on the imme.
uiate border of Shawme pond,
so that Ruggles from being mere
guest at this wayside inn became a land
lord, and the old sign is not to be taken
down by any means, and by the side of he
Old sign went up the professional "shinglen
OF IT. Rugges, attornew at-law." He
proved hiIusei man OF various accom-
plishments. He practicei successfully Mt
Two bars, waited at once on the table and
stables, and afterwards proved himself
military man OF more than common mark.
IL was difficult for casual observer to de-
termine whether he was the more experl i'm
currYing horse or mixing a cooktail-im'
pressing his guests most ON profound prin-
ciples OF slatesmanship, or being honest aud
level-headed rs umpire on pitching quoits
or running toot-race. Alter several wears
OF residence IN Sandwich he removed TO the
town OF Hardwick, IN the county of Nor
caster and he L. l. -
legislature for several years and was speaker
OF the house. He went as colonel and
headed body OF troops to join Sir William
johnson III the expedition to Grow n Point
IN 100 and he was only second in com
maud at the famous battle of Lake George,
Huggles was several years hrigader gem
eral under Lord Amherst. lie was at one
time Judge Of the court OF common pleas.
ana subsequently chief Justice of the same
court. He was delegate with James Otis
and Partridge to the colonial convention,
and was made president of that body i'm
1863. lie was man of whom IL might
truthiully be said that he was a person OF
infinite cheek" being person of great
seltassurance and bold and fearless. His
selt-posesslon never iorsook him, even
when driven to the wall, and his mental re.
sources seem to have no bounds. His sa.
gacity before a jury was remarkable they
were often deceived into rendering an un-
Just verdict, Coupled with all hfs accom-.
pllshments and qualities, he was first
class demagogue. He was often pitted
against James Otis, and he was detested by
that class of men.
IN IVA he was an active and determined
loyalist and tory. He kept himself conceal.
ed N Boston until 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. Rug
giles died in the province of Nova Scotia in.
1895. at the ripe age of 81 years, for in Sep
TENDER, l7lo, an act was passed by helegis-
lature OF Massachusetts bay prohibiting,
under the pain of DEATH any of such to re-
turnaiter being sent out of the province for
joining the enemies of the country. Rug.
giles was six feet six inches in height, aud
had hne and stately bearing, and was
man of Infinite Jest 1t is related
through traditional sources, that at the
coming in OF the supreme court OF Judi
cature at Barnstable, about the year l742,
headed by Chief Justice Lyme, an old and
decrepit woman came into the courthouse
as witness, and, not seeing a seat al hand
she was directed by Ruggles to take the
ohiei Justices seat, and so she innocenty
took II. Soon the court, in all the pro.
vincial pomp and circumstance, entered
with the accompanied officers and an
nounced The court" Whereupon the
chief justice, with no small degree of in
dignalion, inquired of the old lady why
she was there She Immediately pointed
to Ruggles and said: That man told me to
take TINS seat" The chief Justice ordered
her to leave his seat, aud, af.er the Judge
had taken it, turning to. Ruggles, with a
proper degree of Indignation and frmness,
said MIR, Ruggles, why did you give this
woman my seat?" Ruggles replied: Il
thought it good place for old women
Correspondence Boston Post.