The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-02
HE NEVER STRUCK JACKSON.
Correcting an Historical Error About the
Late DIR. Reynell Coates.

Correcting an Historical Error About the
Late DIR. Reynen Coates.
Philadelphia Special.
Tomorrow there will be buried from No. 1725
Arch street, this city, Dr. Reyneil Coates, who,
half century ago, one of the most famous
physicians of Philadelphia. He died at mis- home
in Camden last night at 8 o'clock of pneumonia.
He was eighty-four years old. and had been Ill
for four or five days. DR.. Coates had a remark
able career, and was distinguished as u surgeon,
an author, public speaker, and In earlier life
as a successful politician. He was born in Phil
adelphia, on the 10th day of December, 1902
His father was the distinguished Quaker
philantrophist Samuel Coates, a descend
ant of some of the early Quaker
settlers of Pennsylvania, who came to this coun-
try in 1882 two years after the landing of Will
lam Penn. His mother was also Quaker, and
became an elder in the Society of Friends. He
entered a Friends seminary and afterwards
finished his elementary education at the great
Quaker seminary at Westtown, Chester county,
Pennsylvania He won the name of perse-
vering, interested scholar, and won a high rank
among his early classmates His classical edu-
cation was obtained at the Friends academy in
Fourth street. in this city. school founded by
William Penn. For some time he was at Mr..
John Gummer's private boarding school at Bur
lington, N. j.
In 1919. when he was seventeen years of age,
young Coates came home with mathematical
reputation remarkable for go young student,
resident of the Pennsylvania Hospital. In 1929
he accepted the professorship of natural science
in Allegheny College. DR.. Coates was, in his
day, accounted one of the haudsomest men in
Philadelphia. His physique was perfect and his
face animated and intelligent. He was noted for
his positveness, and for wonderful physical
courage. 1t is related of him that in 1929 he had
a wordy dispute with President Andrew jack
son. The debate, according 10 the story, be-
came so warm that the President. fearing he
might lose his temper, turned his back on the
young man. but was wheeled suddenly about
and, the story goes, received singing slap in
the face. DR.. Coates frequently spoke OF this
story during the latter years of his life, and be-
came greatly incensed if any one talked about
it. It is undoubted, however, that there was
more romance than truth in the story. The
only outrage of this nature that was inflicted
on the hero of New Orleans and the President
of the United States was by Lieutenant Ran
dolph of the navy. It occurred on a steamboat
plying between Washington and Alexandria A
crowd came on board at Alexandria to pay their
respects to the President Randolph advanced
with the crowd as though to address the Presi-
dent and suddenly caught him by the nose. It
was so sudden, indeed instantaneous, and &c I'M
prepared was the President, that the assailant
had accomplished his purpose before it could be
prevented. General jackson broke from MIN
and made an effort to strike him with his cane,
but the crowd interviewed and hustled Randolph
ashore.
Randolph had been suspended or cashiered
from the navy, and blamed the President for it;
and thus sought to avenge it, An effort was
made to give the attack a political significance,
as party spirit ran very HIGH but it was gener-
ally believed Randolph was in measure insane.
The only other attack on President jackson
was by Lawrence, who attempted to shoot him
in the rotunda of the Capitol There is no
authority for the story about the Coates as
sault, although it has been referred to from time
to time in the press of this city having actual
" occurred.