Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-10
Two Country Doctors.
tFrom Phocion's Autobiography.


some forty years ago l was an ap
prentice in the printing office of which
the late George D. Prentice was the
moving spirit-the Louisville Journal
L boarded at certain caravansary on
Market Street, and had, among some
fifty others, fellow-boarder named
Hugh L. Williams, then employed in
the brickyards. Laying by money
enough, and with an ambition to become
something better than molder of clay,
Williams attended one course of lectures
IN the Louisville Medical College, and
then fitted away. Some years after
ward was proprietor myself in the
printing business at Shawneetown, ILL.,,
and Williams was successful practi-
toner at Morganfeld, KY, near there
We met under these circumstances: I
had been to party in his neighborhood,
but missed my return conveyance and
was on foot. Presently a stylish horse
aud buggy passed me, and I only saw
that it contained man and woman
Some distance ahead, however, / found
the buggy cramped at the side of the
road and only the gentleman in it. He
invited me to ride, and I soon found
that my host was the old backyard
laborer. He said he was physician in
good practice IL that neighborhood, but
not being quite regular" he would
esteem it a favor If [ should forget that
ever knew him as laborer in brick
yard. E4
"But the lady" I asked, "who was
with you just now? Your wife?"
"Oh, that's all right" he replied;
"here she is"
And pulling from under his seat
bonnet, green vai, bombazine dress
and kilt shawl, showed me now he could
articulate the outfit into very respect
able-looking elderly lady to serve as his
companion.
But for what purpose?"
well, you see," be replied, ut is not
always convenient for me to pick up
friend or help weary traveller, SO I
carry this dummy to avoid the appear
ance of seltishness."
A few years ago, in another state,
Hugh L. Williams, N. D., died full of
years and honors, an6 yet he never had
any further medicd education than
that acquired by attending one course
of lectures in college that was only
city hospital.
There came to the title village where
[ was boy an outfit that might have
filed the poets dream of poverty-a
middle-aged man and wife, a 14-year-old
girl and 12-year-old boy, sorry spec.
linen of horse, and all their worldly
possessions in one rickety, squeaking
old wagon. A charitable friend allowed
them to camp, temporarily: in an old
frame in the outskirts of the village, In
day or two it was found that the new
conner was a doctor, phrenologist, a
teacher of singing and geography, a
mesmerizer, and general" utility man
generally. How the family lived for
the next monta heaven only knows, as
it was certain they had never bought
any supplies. But he was industrious.
There was no crowd of loafers on the
corners, no public or private meeting at
night that die not find Ashbaugh there
or Whereabouts. He was a good talker
and man q diversified attainments,
and, despite his poverty, was always
listened to respectfully.
About thesame time he made his APP
pearance in 5he little village the great
Alexander Campbell also came and be-
gan seriesof sermons, looking to the
building uIof congregation of that
sect. Gred crowds gathered to hear
anew the sorry of the cross as it fell
from the lips of the eloquent preacher.
Ashbaugh vas observed to have front
seat and to be more than usually inter-
ested. Fpm that to an open profession
of faith, ard then to chorister and lead
er In prayer were easy steps; so that
before Alexander Campbell and Ash
baugh had been month in the village
the forme was as Paul and the latter
as Timothy. Then Ashbaugh began to
"get in lis work" One day, in the
midst Of one of Elder Campbell's
wonderful exhortations, Ashbaugh's
daughtertripped swiftly down the aisle,
Whispered to her father, and the two
hurriedly left the church. In five min
utes the congregation was startled by
the sound of horses hoofs as they rapid
~ beat on the stone road carrying Cdr"
Ashbaugh to the country. That night
the boy similarly summoned the dr."
The next day the mother came, at an
other meeting the girl, and still another
the boy. All these visitations were at
the time when the congregation was
wrapped up in Elder Campbell, and
when the disturbance was the most eff.
fectiva To be brief, by pursuing this
COURSE this charlatan, this quack, this
mesnerizer and phrenologist so attract
ed attention as to ride himself into the
best practice of the district, for every
body said, eff DR.. Ashbaugh has so
many calls he must be a great physi-
clan!D And yet he never had a call
until the rabble began to sound his
praises. In 1868 / was recorder of
military commission, holding its ses-
slons In ST. Louis. Among those tried,
convloted and dismissed from the serv-
Ice Tor conduct unbecoming an officer
and Fejudicial to military discipline
was my boyhood's acquaintance, "Col.
>. L. Ashbaugh, M. D."
LANKsoN, who looks older than he is