The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-10-29
BLOODY SHIRT PAPERS!
Number II.

the ''Bloody-Shirt" as term Of po-
litical reproach, certainly do so with
out comprehending the meaning of
the term as applied to past events.
Many men who hear the term now
and some who use it-have no per-
sonal knowledge Of the exciting and
dangerous scenes through which this
country passed while the proverbial
garment was being colored. It is not
necessary that we go off to Southern
battle-felds to find material for this
distressing picture. Come with US to
Franklin and Bloomfield townships,
Jackson county, for few moments,
and let us study the "Bloody-Shirt"
in the light of our own homes, and at
our own door-yards
Here are five honest, upright farm
ers Of Jackson county. We do not
recall the names Of two of them, but
Joseph Poor, D. Burris and Samuel
Clark, were three Of them. Word has
been received in the neighborhood that
John Morgan's Rebel Army is march
ing upon Jackson, in fact that he has
occupied the place, and his troopers
are securing the adjacent country.
DIR. Burris has taken his gun and
shot-pouch and gone to Winchester,
but returned, and by the advice Of a
friend left the gun at home, retaining
the shot-pouch. In his pockets are
two old-fashioned pistols-not carried
with deadly intent, further than pro-
tecting his own life. These five citi-
zens are together One, in a half
playful mood, remarks that he will go
to the top Of hill, not far from the
Maj. Hale farm, and if he sees the
Rebels coming, will return. In a
short time he is seen returning in
great haste, for the Rebels are really
coming. The five pass into a new
road, rather obscure place, and await
the passing Of the enemy. But few
moments elapse until they are accost-
ed by a Rebel scout. who with drawn
revolver inquiries their business. Upon
being civilly answered, he commands
each in turn to show the contents of
his pockets, and turn the pocke is
inside out. All in turn comply, and
the Rebel seems to be in a good hu-
NOR. The last is Burris, who at the
command hands out the smaller pis-
tol. Instantly there is gleam Of
hatred in the eyes Of the Rebel, and
he Kisses: "Is that ALP" Trembling
ly, Burris hauls out the larger pistol.
With an oath the Rebel points his re-
volver at Burris' breast, and fires. The
murdered man does not fall immedi-
ately, but when the smoke clears
away the Rebel is seen a few feet
away, glaring at the other four men,
with the remark: ''I've a notion to
kill you ALL" He rides off, however,
and Burris falls in the road, where the
other four seize the body and carry it
to point at the side Of the road,
where it remains until the Army
passes, and it can with safety be re-
moved.
Here was a "Bloody-Shirt!" A
quiet citizen Of Jackson county shot
down in cold blood near his own
home by murderous Democrat who
had sworn to destroy the U. S. Gov
ernment rather than permit the will
Of the people-in the election of a
Republican President prevail. The
fact that the war was brought on by
the Southern wing of the Democratic
party does not admit of discussion. 1t
is history This Democratic Rebel
lion, then, brought the murderer's bull
let to the heart of the Jackson county
farmer. And this is the scene our
Democratic friends tell us we must
forget. To talk Of it is reviving the
issues and contests and enmities of
the war. Therefore we must not
think of them ! Has the grave of
Burris been forgotten? Has the
mound been razed, the tombstone
taken away, and the spot which mark
ed his burial place been obliterated? ?
Has the picture Of the drenching of
his shirt in blood been driven, by
time, from the memory Of Joseph
Poor, and others of his neighbors who
saw the brutal deed?
Our Democratic friends would teach
that the exciting history Of the past
should be regarded as myth, some
thing that denoted slight lack of
judgment on the part of the Demo-
cratic party, without entailing any
great amount Of damage or misery
upon anybody. What loyal man ever
asked you, dear reader, to forget the
past? We refer to men who noblv
stood by the country in its struggle
for free government. What objec-
ton does he raise to your reciting the
brave deeds Of the Boys in Blue, or
the murderous ravages of Rebel
Armies? We are taught that we
should not forget the great pioneers
of American freedom, we erect great
memorial to Washington, why should
we forget Grant? The name of Ar
mold is still held in contempt, why not
the name Of Davis? No, no! The
horrible record Of treason cannot be
driven from the mind. Not only by
the present generation, but for gen.
erations to come, will the infamy and
horror of the Rebellion of 1861, by
the controlling element Of the Demo