Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-11
PRESIDENT JACKSON.
A NOnOgenarian's "Reminiscences of
Old HICKORY.
From "a Ne1g Yorh 7ri6une,


From the Neao York Tribune.
| JACKSON, O., Aug. 2.-Samuel Baker is
the oldest resident in this region, and at
50 is remarkably well and delights 10 re-
count the events of "A busy life. He has
been acquainted with every President
save Washington and Grant. He was
| boy at school with Buchanan, and his de-
! voted friend later in life. During the
jackson administration Mr.. Baker was
| trusted clerk in the Treasury and init
mate at the White House. His grand
father, Robert Baker, was a Brigadier
| General in the War of the Revo-
| luton. He had been a friend of
! Washington and was with him in
| the Braddock expedition. Samuel Bakers
father was Lieutenant in his fathers
command. The son Of the Lieutenant
was one Of the first to volunteer in the
war of 1912. He fought at the battles OF
! the Thames, Chippewa, Lundy's Lane
and Fort Erie. AT the Thames he saw
Tecumseh breathe his last, and heard the
! discussion between Col. johnson and
! others as to the actual slayer of the Indian
chief. Mr.. Baker says that Col. Johnson
! always denied, even years atterward, that
he had killed Tecumseh, but admitted
| having shot at him and that he fell. At
| Lundy's Lane MIR. Bakers horse was
killed and fell upon him, breaking his
shoulder. For this injury. from which
he has suffered for seventy years, the
old man was only given a pension at
this session Of Congress, and he will re-
| ceive his first installment in September.
After the war Mr.. Baker lived in Lancas-
ter, Pa. In 1929 he was made a clerk
in the Treasury Department at Washing
ton, through the influence Of Buchanan.
who was then Congressman. In 1882
he was appointed Consul to Chill, which
office he relinqulshed in fifteen months.
"There was too much murder by the
Spaniards," he says: every morning
some one was found dead and no one ever
cared to punish the murderer. | wanted
TO live out a natural life, and left"
Since his return he has been teaching
or has been engaged in official life in
Pennsylvania or Ohio. He has lived In
Jackson county since 1854 and has been
auditor several times. His most inter-
esting "Reminiscences concerned the early
lite of Buchanan. Baker and Buchanan
were OF the same age and sworn friends.
1t was when playing ball with Mr.. Baker
that the future President was Injured for
lite. A swiftly thrown ball struck him
on the neck, causing an injury which
sent the future statesman through life
with his head held on one side.
Mr.. Bakers acquaintance with Jackson
was peculiarly interesting. During his
clerkship in the Treasuary he was con-
sidered an expert accountant. The books
OF the several officials were in bad shape,
and MIR. Baker was instructed to go
through them. "Old Hickory would not
have it done in the apartment butinsist-
ed that Baker should do his work In the
Presidents private room at the White
House. For several weeks the two men
were alone together day after day. When
jackson discovered that his clerk had
been soldier in the war of 1912 he took
pleasure in talking about the events of
that conflict. Mr.. Baker saws that the
President would come in, elevate his feet
to the desk, and insist that all work
should stop. "Let's talk about the war,
Baker. Quit work for to-day" Then
sold Hickory" would take a new clay
pipe-he never used pipe twice-and
preparing a smoke would begin nara
tive of his adventures. One day while
thus engaged the wife of an official
was announced. She was a tall, Qutenly
woman OF great beauty and social dis
tinction. She came to plead for her son,
who had been an officer in the navy, and
who had led mutiny in the Mediterra-
mean and bad been sentenced TO death by
hanging. The President only could par
don him and this boon the poor mother
asked. Mr.. Baker describes the scene as
so terrible ana Affecting JnhJ ne can never
forget it. Laying aside his pipe, Jackson
stood with his back 10 the crate and heard
the wOman's piteous appeal and saw her
tears. you had a mother" she sObbed.
''For the sake otyOur own mothers memo
nv pardon my boy" But the old war
rior never fIncbed. He said, calmly.
"No, Mrs. --, cannot in teriere. Your
son must die"
Then the mother flung herself abjectly
on the floor. She begged and sobbed-all
in vain. Finally the President requested
her friends to take her away. When the
door closed the Hero of New Orleans sat
down. buried his face in his hands and
cried like q stricken child. For half an
hour ne sobbeG, never saying word. Mr..
Baker was also crying. Finally jackson
raised his head, and, snatching up his
pipe as If TO smoke, changed his mind and
dashed II on the hearth. Then he said
~ can stand no more scenes like that,
Baker. That woman loves her son. She
will never forgive me. Sue will curse me
as cruel. And yet do not dare interfere.
My God!--I wish l had never been elected
Presidentw Then he went TO his room