davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-12-17
He MADE HIS PILE IN ONE MIN.
UTE.
The Almost instantaneous Manner
in which a Man Became Rich In
PIthoIe City.


Scores of good stories have been told
of men W. lao by a successful stroke of
luck or business policy have become
suddenly rich. Sme have made their
bundle in six days, while Others, by
cornering certain stocks or food pro-
ducts, have jumped from comparative
poverty to princely afHuence between
the coming and the going of the sun.
The list of men who have made so
called fortunes ia day or week,
might possibly fill small book, but
there is no known record of some
of the peculiarly lucky dogs of
creation who have toyed with coy
fortune and grown wealthy in less
than al hour. Speculation in petro-
leum has given birth to several in
stances of this kind.
But the man who grew rich in an
hour is not for an instant to be com
pared with the western chap who &C
cumulated a handsome fortune in the
short and feeting period of sixty sec
onds. Two hours after he struck the
oil country he was hurrying out u IT
as fast as the numbering stage would
take him, and he never came back,
again, either. He was not at all pig
gish. He simply knew when he had
enough.
1t was in the early days, when the
great petroleum industry was still in
long dresses, the incident in question
happened. The year was 1865, and
the theatre of operations the then red
hot city of Pithole. With the simple
aid of a twig of witch hazel, Thomas
H. Brown, whose ancestors were
among the early settlers of New York
city, located the well which ushered
into its brief but exciting career of
oleaginous existence the phenomen
al Pithole oil district Mr.. Bro WIS
rod of witch hazel made Thomas
Holmden, the owner of bleak and
sterile farm, one of the richest men in
the state. The Frazier well, which
was the Pithole pioneer, was finished
on Jan. s. 1865. The $50 barrels of
oil it poured into tanks during
the first and subsequent days
Of its existence was worth IS barrel
at the well, but in those days it cost
the consumer only $3.50 barrel to
place the stuff in the New York mar
ket.
Every commercial traveller who
has ever visited Erie, Pa, knows the
sneeze and the patrIarchal white beard
and bald head aud suave manners of
Col. f. II. Ellsworth, for years pro
prietor of the Ellsworth house and
later proprietor of the Reed House.
The Colonel was not always hotel
man. He was one Of the earliest OPP
orators in the region, and at several
periods in MS career was worth
great deal of money.
It happened that the Colonel, who
was one of the early birds, came into
possession of a snug little slice of the
famous Holmden farm. Several wells
had been drilled On the track, and all
came in as money makers The Col
onel's was not as choice as the rest
A well was started, aud the drill be-
gan its search for oil. At this time
hundreds of strangers, with fat pocket
books or big bank accounts, roamed
over the field in quest of desirable To-
cations. Thus the land, once value
less, became Immensely valuable.
Land owners axacted fearful big
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-12-17

A New York woman laid diamond
ring on the bracket shelf in a big
transatlantic steamer. The staIe-room
steward threw it overheard,
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
Another "Last Rattle.o

To THE EDITOR: On the discussion of the
question as to who fought the last battle of the
war, and when and where it was fought COM
rades should bear in mind that the last mill
tary operations were in the extreme Southwest
Permit me to say that the last battle was
fought by the Bath Ind. at Palmetto Rancho,
Tex, May 13, 1865. The official history of that
regiment, published in Adj't-Gen. TerrelPs Re-
ports, VOL II, page 343, says: "This regiment
fought the last battle of the war on the 18th of
May, 1865, at Palmetto Rancho, adjoining the
old battlefield of Palo Alto. Two hundred and
fifty of thesregiment fought 500 of the enemy,
mounted, with q battery of six feldpieces,
driving them distance of three miles in the
space OF three hours By this time the rebels
got their battery in position and pouring de-
structive fire into their ranks compelled the
main body of the regiment to fall back, leaving
Cos. b and Z behind as skirmishers to cover the
movement. These companies, being unsup-
ported, were furiousy attacked and finally sur
rounded and forced to surrender. The loss to
the regiment was So in killed, wounded and
prisoners" l have never heard it disputed
that this was the last conflict of the war of
which any historical account has been pre-
served, and it certainly was sufficiently general
and severe to be properly termed battle. did
not belong to that regiment, but am Hoosier,
and have pride in the soldiery that fought
from Philippi to Palmetto Rancho, and the few
survivors of the gallant Saith will pardon me,
hope, if l have anticipated them in making
their claim to having fought the last battle of
the war.-FRANK DosTER, 18th Ind. Cav,
Marion, Kan.
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
The Captured Cannon at stones River.

To THE EDITOR: Your Fighting Them
Over" has brought out who was first at the
captured cannon taken at Nolinsville Gap at
the beginning of the battle of Stones River.
All of your readers are familiar with the case
up to this point, and / desire to go upon the
witness stand and use small space of your
valuable paper. now say, briefly, that Co. A,
2lst ILL.,, was the first to reach the gun, not be-
cause they could run faster or were more brave,
but that they were, or rather the gun stood,
just in their direct line of march and the COM
pany was deployed as skirmishers, and thus
reached the gun first. Now, then, what caused
the dispute? Here it is: After turning the
gun around and not being able to load it, and
seeing the retreating enemy only short dis
lance off, the company left the gun and went
in pursuit of the retreating enemy, but was
recalled after going about one-fourth of mile;
and when we returned to the gun we found it
in the possession of company of the 1Olst
Ohio. No one that was there will deny that
We came from the direction of the retreating
enemy and then made claim to our prize
THOMAS YosT, Scrg't, Co. A, 21st ILL.,, Hollis
ter, Cal,
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
Two Anecdotes of Logan.

To THE EDITOR: AS q constant reader OF
your excellent paper am often reminded of
the many trying times and memorable Incl
dents during the times of our National conflict.
Two or three incidents now come afresh to my
mind regarding our corps commander, John A.
Logan, of the Fifteenth Upon one occasion,
while en- route over the terrible bOttoml@s
reads Of South Carolina, and nearing the Che
raw River at night, the boys, drenched with
rain and despatched with; mud, tired beyond
expression, with one accord laid down to rest,
feeling that to proceed farther till the following
morning was something that could not be done.
The stream was swollen by.constant rains, and
perfect barrier seemed to then present itself.
While the rain poured down, the soldiers of the
Fifteenth continued to assemble on the borders
of that river in thousands. To remain there
during the night or for two or three hours,
was not, however, ordered. Well do we re-
member while settling down for sleep, hearing
some unaccountable connection. Each moment
voices became more plain to the ear, and pres
emily the thousands of tired soldiers shouted,
as with one voice, Logan !" What did his
presence mean, and what the result? "For-
ward! The river must be crossed"
With renewed courage the boys girded on
their armor and followed where their beloved
commander led. 1t WAS afterwards discovered
that our first halt. three miles farther on, was
for the purpose of enjoying better camping
place for the portion of the night remaining.
At the battle of Bentonville, while shot and
shell We're flying thick as hail, we were in a
position to witness something startling. The
rebs, who were fighting, as it were, in the "last
ditch" had made two Or three unsuccessful
charges on our lines, when a rider came out
from the darkness, with word to Logan that
they were preparing for a charge more des-
perate than all the rest. What was the Gen.
erals reply? LET them charge! / will charge
h and d-n- out of them in five min
utes" With hat off and sword waving, he
galloped up and down the lines, ordering the
terrible charge which did follow. The rebs
were routed thoroughly and completely, and
many prisoners were taken.-E. o. KINDER
LEY, Leader, Brig. Band First Brig Third
Div, Fifteenth Corps, Brodhead, Wis.
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
The Death OF Gen. Polk.

To THE EDITOR: see a communication in
your paper of June A from j. L. Rice, of the
18th Wis, referring to the Memoirs of Gen.
Carlin, saying Lieut-Gen. Leonidas Polk (Con-
federate army was killed by cannon ball
from one of our batteries on Pine Mountain,
June Is, 1864. As far as dates are concerned
l am not positive but as to the place feel
sure he is mistaken, for the 18th Ind. was lying
at Big Shanty Station, at the foot of Kenesaw
Mountain, and just on our right was battery
in temporary fort. Gen. Sherman rode up, and
after few questions as to where the officers
were, the Lieutenant of the battery, under in
structions of Gen. Sherman, made the neces-
sary arrangements to do some firing; also, the
large glass was brought forward, and the Gen.
eral, when the first shot was fired, announced
the result of falling short. Then the gun was
loaded again, and the General told us this time
the work was done, and we could see with the
naked eye the group on top of the mountain
had dispersed; and then the rebel Signal Corps
became quite active, and as a member of the
rebel Signal Corps had been captured few days
before, it was ascertained through him that the
second shot spoken of had killed Gen. Polk.
OF course, different men see things in different
light, but am sure the comrade is Mistaken
ISAAC KEITH, Co. F, 18th Ind, Shelbyville,
Ind
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
The Little Rock Sauahhle Again.

To THE EDITOR: see that w. F. Bacon
still persists in stating that the 18th ILL., Cav
was first to enter Little Rock. Now, if Mr.
Bacon was there at all he knows that is not
true He has written two letters, and there is not
a word of truth in either. In the first place, the
18th Ill. Cav was not the first to cross the river
In the second, they were not the first to enter
Little Rock for the Sd Iowa Cav. had driven
the rebels out of town at least one hour before
the 18th Ill. Cav. entered the place. In the
third place, the 18th Ill. Cav. did not drive Pap
Price 40 miles from Little Rock neither did
any other troops pursue him one-fourth of that
distance. In the fourth place, Gen. Steele was
never afraid that some rebel would get hurt
On the contrary, he was brave and gallant
officer. In the fifth place, the appetites (for
rebel blood of the 18th Ill. Cav on that day
were no better than the soldiers of other regi-
ments; and in the sixth place, no one except
Mr.. Bacon ever heard of Gen. Davidson pro-
posing TO get down and wallop soldier for
struggling.
The facts are that the Sd Iowa Cav. took the
advance two miles east of the city, and were
led by Col. II. c. Caldwell Chief of Gen. David
sons staff, and with drawn sabers charged the
rebels. and did not let up until they drove Mar
maduke clear out of town. They then held
the place at least one hour before the 18th Ill.
Cav. or any other regiment entered-s HATH
AWAY, Co. G, Sd Iowa Cav, Moberly, Mo.
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
Little Rock Again.

To THE EDITOR: notice in your issue of
the I'd inst. that Comrade Bacon, of the 18th
Ill. Cav, still insists that his regiment was the
first to cross the Arkansas River and enter
Little Rock. Now, don't pretend to say who
crossed the river first as my regiment (the Sd
Iowa. was ordered down the river to engage a
rebel battery on the opposite bank while the
pontoon bridge was being laid, and we were
nearly the last to cross; but when we did get
across we went Immediately to the front and
took our place in the advance and on the front
line and entered the city in advance of all
others, and Maj. Geo. Duffield raised the Ma
tional flag over the State House. We don't
claim to have followed Pap Price much farther
than the city limits.-F A. PATTERSON, Co. E,
Sd Iowa Cav, Drakesville, Iowa.
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
The DeGrassc Battery Again.

To THE EDITOR: have read the articles Of
Capt. Chas. d. Miller, of Co. C, 10th Ohio; G..
L. Childress, Co. ], Goth H., and that of A. P.
Mcfarland, Co. K, 4th Iowa Now, think
the article from the pen of the Captain far
from correct, but it may be good description
understand it. Now, if Comrade Childress
does not know any more about the capture and
recapture of the DeGrasse battery than he
told US in his article, would advise him not
to take Capt Miller's statement as entirely
good. And, again, the comrade says that after
fighting on the extreme left for two hours they
were double-qucked to the right three miles,
where the Fifteenth. Corps had been driven 1t
amuses me to read Of the Fifteenth Corps being
driven in any place, or any distance, or at any
time. But the article from the pen of A. P.
Mcfarland is the nearest correct of anything
/ have seen.
s Now, Mr.. Editor, will give it as I saw it
and heard the orders given. Early in the fore
noon of that memorable day 1.-THE 23d of july it
was found that the enemy had evacuated an
outer line of works. and on our part of the line
the First Division, Fifteenth Corps, advanced
and took possession of the same. Gen. Sherman
established his headquarters at large
frame building called the Howard house,
right on the works. As it happened, as
we moved into the works my regiment
(the 9th Iowa. divided ON this house, part
on the right and part on the left Our colors
came square against the house. From this po-
siton we could see to the Decatur Railroad on
our left. The Twenty-third Corps joined ours
on the right. From this position at the How
ard house saw the battery captured, as also
did Gen. Sherman Gen. Charles Woods and
many others. There was now going on terrible
fighting on our left with the Seventeenth Corps.
At this time / was carrying the colOrs of our
regiment, and Gen. Sherman sat on his horse
not more than or 10 feet from where stood.
In just a few minutes after the battery was
captured Gen. J. A. Logan came dashing up to
where Gen. Sherman sat on his horse and, sa-
luting, said: General, the Seventeenth Corps
is driven from its works, the DeGrasse bat
terry is captured, and Gen. Mcpherson is
killed" Well do / remember the look and the
words of Gen. Sherman. 1t seemed at least
one minute before he spoke. His exact words
were: My God They must be taken back"'
Then addressing Gen. Logan he said: " You
will assume command of the Army of the Ten
nessee," and Gen. Logan dashed away. Then
Gen. Sherman turned in his saddle and in
quired for Gen. Woods. Gen. Woods was few
rods in front of the line of works. and an Or
derby was dispatched with orders for him to
report to Gen. Sherman. In a few moments
he reported. Gen. Sherman said to him: 81
want you to retake that battery" referring to
DeGrasse's), and Gen. Woods said to Lieut.
Col. Abbernethy: "Take your regiment and
retake that battery" Immediately we were
formed and advanced and took the battery,
and / claim that to the 9th Iowa more
than any other belongs the honor of the recap
ture of the DeGrasse battery.-A. d. S,
Color Bearer Co. E. 9th Iowa. Pawnee City,
Neb.
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
Lances In the Rebel Army.

To THE EDITOR: In The NATIONAL TRIB.
UNE of last week l saw letter from Prof H.
B. Mcclellan, of Lexington. Ky, in which he
says that with "fair opportunities for knowl-
edge and observation he never saw or heard of
any Confederate troops which were armed with
lances or spears" and while do not know that
any troops in the rebel army were so armed,
do know that while On the celebrated black
berry raid" from Yorktown to White House
Landing in July, 1868, and not far from Fort
Magruder, saw at least 200 spears and lances,
which had the appearahce ofhaving been used,
and had been thrown in fire and nearly all of
the poles burned off. AS we had some work
to do i'll the front We did not stop to inquire
into their history.-GEoRGE E. Lowry, 18th
Ind, Indianapolis Ind. l.
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
The Flag Of the 18th Iowa.

To THE EDITOR: Seeing in THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE of recent date an accusation by Com
rade Garfield that the 31st Iowa stole their flag
off the State House at Columbia, S. c., desire
to clear the 31st Iowa of the charge, and prob
ably enlighten some of the 18th Iowa as to how
they lost their flag on that occasion.
In scouting for chickens about o'clock in
the afternoon of that memorable day, the writer
and Simon g. Maple, of Co. K, 30th Iowa, were
passing by the State House, and stopped to talk
with squad of men who seemed to be pretty
booty, as well pretty full of epithets against
certain Colonel who had taken their flag down
and raised his own in its stead. Not being dis
posed to argue the question with them, we passed
on after our chicks which were of more interest
to us than any other question just then. In
returning after about an hours absence, we
stopped to see the State House. and in passing
out of the grounds where we had talked with
the squad of the 18th, found their flag rolled
up and lying on the ground. One of us picked
it up and stood it up against one of the large
building rocks, and passed on. made the re-
mark to my comrade that we ought to 60 back
and get that flag and take care of it for them ;
for, judging by their previous actions, they were
thinking more about something to drink than
flags. So we went back and got the flag and
took it to our Coloncl's headquarters, aud told
him of how we came in possession of it. The
flag was carried several days by the 3Oth right
along with their own flag, but was turned over
to the rightful owners as soon as they requested
it. Now in conclusion, we did not think, nor
do we think now, we were stealing the I3ths
flag, but simply taking care of neglected flag.
AS to the 13th's right to raise their flag we think
the right undoubtedly belonged to the 31st Iowa,
from the fact that that regiment with the balance
of the brigade, did all the fighting and manu-
vering to capture the city. and the 18th must
have sent their flag over and raised it while the
Mayor was surrendering the city to Col. Stone,
who was in command of the brigade which had
fought the rebels from where we crossed the
river, some four miles above the city, right into
the edge of the towns. E. PARKER, Kalona,
Iowa.
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
An Important Arrest.

The arrest of a suspicious character upon his
general appearance, movements or companion
ship, without waiting until he has robbed a
traveller, fired house, or murdered fellow
man, is an important function of shrewd
detective. Even more important is tho arrest
of disease which, if not checked, will blight
and destroy human life. The frequent cough,
loss Of appetite general languor or debility,
pallid skin, and bodily aches and pains, an
nounce the approach Of pulmonary consump-
ton, which is promptly arrested and perma-
nently cured by DIR. Pierce's "Go!dcn Medical
Discovery" Sold by druggists
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
Do You Know Man

Whose wife is troubled with debility, nervous
ness, liver complaint or rheumatism just tell
him it is pity to let the lady suffer that way,
when Browns Iron Bitters will relieve her.
Mrs. L. b. Edgerly. Dexter, Me-. says: Browns
Iron Bitters cured me of debility and palpita-
ton of the heart" Mrs. II. 8. Mclaughlin, of
Scarborough, Me-, says the bitters cured her of
debility. Mrs. Harding. of Windham Center,
in the same State, says it cured her of dizziness
in the head. So it has cared thousands of other
ladies'
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
Nervous. Debilitated Hen.

You are allowed free trial of thirty days of the
use of DR.. Dyes Celebrated Voltaic Belt with
Electric Suspensory Appliances, for the speedy
relief and permanent cure of Nervous Debility,
loss of Vitality and Manhood, and all kindred
troubles. Also for many other diseases. Com
plete restoration to health. vigor and manhood
guaranteed. No risk is incurred. illustrated
pamphlet, with full information, terms, etc.,
mailed FREQ my addressing Voltaic Belt Co.,
Marshall, Mich.
The National tribune., 1885-07-30

regiments in splendid order,-and such others
as we could gather,-made such desperate re-
sistance on the northern side of the road, Gen.
Schurz was doing the same on the southern
side of the road with such troops as he could
hastily gather. But
WHERE WAS GEN. HOWARD
after the first shot had dismounted him?
have often tried to imagine the feelings of
men like Col. Brown, of the 18TH N. Y, with
splendid regiment, and only few months in
the service, making such heroic resistance to
overwhelming numbers, performing deeds of
valor on that day of which the bravest vet
Grams might well be proud, to discover that
he had been branded as a coward Or of Col.
Hecker, man with the highest reputation in
Europe as well as here, who, side by side with
Col. Brown, resisted with the S2d Ill. until,
dangerously wounded, he lay on the ground /;
and then to discover that they, with thousands
of others who would have done equally well If
they had had chance, were looked upon as no
good for Gen. Howard testified after the bat
tie, before the Congressional Committee on the
Conduct of the War, that he had no confidence
in the Eleventh Corps.
have related here only such matter as came
under my own personal observation. Though
at the time staff officer. my field of observa-
ton was necessarily limited; but, from the facts
related, every word of which can be proved, it
will be seen that the commander of the corps,
from some cause unknown, neglected each and
every measure of precaution; omitted to take
any and every means to place his command in
proper position to resist an attack OF which
he had more than sufficient warning, and that
no troops in the world could have done better
than the rank and file of the Eleventh Corps
did on that day, placed in a position where re-
sistance was physical impossbility.
i have no apology to make for writing
the above. 1t is high time that the actual
facts-the truth-should be known. / should
like to do all in my power to prevent from pass
ing into the records of history foul SANDER
on true and brave men and sOldiers.-G.
SCHLEITEI Major 74th Pa PittSburg, Pa.
The National tribune., 1885-07-30
Another Fine Monument to be Erected ON III,
battle-ground at Gettysburx.

The 9th Conn.,, of New Haven, have con-
tracted with the well Unknown St. Johnsbury
Granite Co., through P. B. Laird, managing
proprietor, 70 Third Ave-, Brooklyn, N. Y, for
o granite monument % feet high, surmounted
by spread eagle also cut in granite.
The National tribune., 1885-07-30

For GAR, Masonic. and all other society
goods send for catalogue TO e. A. Armstrong,
Detroit, Mich.
The National tribune., 1885-07-30

Big money--stcady employment. Address
Hale Manufacturing Co., Detroit, Mich.