St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-22
Wis Early Life and Army Record-De-
Yeloping the Railroads OF
the State.
True S. White and the Hard Luck He Has
bodybuilding Up Several Businesses
Only to Meet With Reverses.
The Romantic Career of Albert Wolffa and His
Narrow Escape from Death-History
of Michael j. 0'COnnOr.
By T. NJ. NEwsoN.
+RTICEE LTI.

kept by Rev. Mr.. Breck, and is among the
Oldest scholars living of both these schools.
When quite young he seemed to possess no
fear, and was at one time the captain and
leader of the upper town boys VS.. the lower
town, and all old citizens can readily recall
many contests between these two factions,
some of which ended in pitched battles. He
was one of the boys who, in 1852, trans
formed William S. Combs sign so as to
read ssWomen's Side Combs,'' and though
not maliciously inclined, vet he was full of
mischief wthal he was boy of courage, as
the following incidents will show:
SAVED FROM DROWNING.
When passing the upper leyee with other
BOYS. he heard screams in the direction of
the river, to which point he and his com
panions rushed, and found a man about to
sink in the water for the third time,@ and al
though there were a number of grown per-
sons witnessing the struggling victim, not
soul moved to save him Young Wilson
pulled of his boots, jumped into the river,
swan to the man who had already sunk
below the surface, seized him BIZ the hair
and pulled him to the shorel Such an. act
Of bravery vas never excelled by a boy only
10 years old, except, perhaps, in another
case when he rescued valuable package
from a burning building.
''I'LL cop
In 1852 the old Daniels house, a wooden
building of four stories, on the upper levee,
was in flames. Cant you save
that valuable package!" asked a
lady boarder, as she frantically and
piteously looked up into the faces of a num-
Der of men, at the same time pointing to
the burning building, but they made no re-
spouse, when young Wilson cried out, ''I'll
go!" and he did go, and brought out the val
uables, and almost imme diately the whole
frame work fell in with a terrible crash!
These brave traits of character brought him
into prominence, and he was praised by the
adult population and lionized as a hero by
the boys.
IN TRADEi
In 1853 young Wilson, with his brother,
engaged in trading with the Sioux Indians
at Shakopee, he being at that time the only
white boy in the place, and 1t was then and
there that he first gained knowledge of the
Sioux language and habits, and it is amusing
to see, after lapse of some thirty years, how
the Indians will readily recognize "the
little black head,' as they used to call
him. He has also been the recpi-
ent of many beautiful presents from several
Indian tribes. In 1851 he attended
school at Granville, o., and on returning to
Minnesota took up the occupation of farm
ing, but left it in 1861 to join the Union
army, which he did, end served until the last
Confederate soldier laid down his arms. He
was promoted step BY step, and each time
for meritorious conduct.
A PRISONER.
In 1864, in company with Gen. Stoneman,
he was captured, on what is known as the
Stoneman raid through the state of
Georgia. and with the balance
of the men was at once taken
to Andersonville prison, where he was kept
six months, or until Gen. Sherman began his
march to the sea. He was then ordered to
Charleston, city which was at that time
under strong ombardmeut from our army.
He was also prisoner at Monticello, Fla,
Florence, $. c., Godsborough and other
places.
Escaped
He made his escape from Florence prison
In company with fifteen others, but was re-
captured by the use of bloodhounds, at which
time three OF the fifteen prisoners were killed
and seven of the remaining ones
died before reaching the Florence
prison again. He is now the
president Of the ex-Audersonville Pris-
oncrs' association In this state, which alone
is sufficient proof that the statements herein
made are correct, aud that he Is held In high
esteem by his fellow prisoners. At the close
of the war he was rendered position in the
regular army. which he declined.
BUILDING RAILROADS.
In 1865, 1869 and 1870, Maj. Wilson did
large portion of the work upon the
Lake Superior IL Minnesota railroad,
between this city aud the Northern Pacific
junction, and received at the hands of the
employees under him beautiful gold watch
and chain, worth $500, the contributions to-
wards buying II coming from over two thou
sand men. He married. in 1871, Miss Miller
OF Ohio, who died in 1884, leaving a son
and daughter. From 1872 to 1877 he was in
the real estate business in this city, the firm
being T. W. Wilson II Son, aud during ali
OF which years be took an active part in poll
ties, notably the nomination and election OF
DR.. Stewart to congress.
INSPECTOR OF CUSTOMS.
In 1878 he was appointed inspector Of
customs at Grand Portage, Mimi, aud held
the office for about four years when, on ac-
count OF government contracts which be had
received, together with mining aud lumber
ing interests, he resigned the Office and gave
his attention to private business. In 1881,
he, with E. +. Il A. Lemay, formed part
nership under the firm name of Wilson, Lee
may Son, and engaged in railroad and
harbor building, since which date they have
built the Harbor of Refuge at Grand Msrias,
on Lake Superior, together with
large amount of railroad aud har-
Dor work done at and near Du-
luth, Mimi, and also at Superior, Wis He
was the first man to open up the mine of the
Silver aud Copper Island Mining company,
and was It's first superintendent aud director
and is still stakeholder.
PERSONALLY
Maj. Wilson Is . rather slender, wiry man,
full Of energy, aud uses iudomitable will
power in his aims and in his pu rposes. He
Is what miners would call ''rustler,r has &
very active brain backed by nerve, and en-
tiers earnestly into all enterprises with which
DC Is connected. He is liberal in his dispo-
sition. social in his nature, a natural
schemer, persistent in his efforts, and de-
voted in his friendships man of much
force Of character
TRUE :. wHITE-LCCKl
Some men start out in life bright. happy
and hopeful, aud by their superior sttain-
meuts and industry, build up excellent avo-
cations that, from causes over which they
have no control, drop into other hands, aud
when years of toll aud labor have passed,
they find they have been going up the hill
Just ''tor The fun Of the thiug," to secommo-
date somebody else, aud are now going down
the bill Al rapid rate without any brakes.
which they 6ud isn't quite SO funny. esucei-