The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-21
GENERAL HANcooK,s BoYHooD.
Reminiscences by Colonel Terrence, Who
Was the Eero's Schoolmate.

"Reminiscences by Colonel Terrence, Who
Was the Eero's schoolmate.
New York Star.
Among the many who attended the funeral Of
General Hancock was tall. withered old man,
with long white hair hanging to his shoulders.
AS the old mans eyes rested upon the bier con-
tanning the remains of General Hancock tears
stood in them. He was weeping over the loss
Of his dearest friend who had been his daily
companion in boyhood Colonel George w.
Terrence, OF Harlem, for he it was. went to
school with Hancock during boyhood days, in
Norristown, Pa.
mo man will miss General Hancock more
than !" said Colonel Terrence, although may
not long survive him. A better man never
lived. knew him intimately in early boyhood
and through the different periods of his life. and
found him always the same. l first knew him
when he was about ten years OF age, in Norris
town, and he was then as handsome and noble
as when he grew to be man. Even at that age
~. :'nlaved that sturdy character that he exhib-
tied al through lis
''He was good boy. but he was full of life
and enjoyed fun. He was industrious, and he
never neglected work. have many time
known of him to keep boys waiting for him to
join them in play while he worked, and generally
they would pitch in and help him. AT school he
always had his lessons. There were four Of us
boys who were nearly all the time together
Hancock, General Reynolds. who was killed at
Gettysburg Ennock Taylor. ex-sheriff of Pha-
delphia. and myself Haneock's twin brother
was exactly opposite to him. He was very quiet
and generally kept by himself, seldom. if ever,
joining In play. We all had nick-names. Gem
eral Hancock was called 'Blinkey,' on account of
the twitching of his left eye"
Colonel Terrence related number of incl
dents Of General Hancocks boyhood. Once the
boys made raid on watermelon patch. and.
discovering there was no danger of being caught,
owing to the distance from the owners house,
they sent one Of their number to the house
to tell the owner that boys were stealing
his watermeons. The owner ran down there.
thinking he would have no trouble in catching
them. Arriving there, he could zee no one, and
he supposed the messenger had only fooled him.
He had been put to considerable exertion, and
the disappointment of not having caught the
boys made him very angry. Catching the boy
who he had supposed had fooled him, he was
about to punish him. but Hancock arose from
his concealment and SO saved his companion, the
owner giving chasesbut not catching him.
The boys were ill treated by man who owned
a spring house, whore was kept large quantity
of milk and butter. TO get even with the man,
they stopped the stream up flooding the house.
The owner met General Hancock after the war,
and they had laugh over it. General Hancock
said he was ashamed of 1t, but the owner said
that the boys had done just right.
Colonel Terrence delights in telling of how
General Hancock was instrumental in saving his
life. The Schuylkill river ran by the edge of
Norristown. 1t was crossed by bridge about
twenty feet above the water. The boys were in
the habit of jumping from this into the river.
One day Colonel Terrence was challenged to dive
from the bridge, and he did so. His head struck
stone and when he came to the surface his
face was covered with blood and he was I'M
conscious. His companions, except Hancock
who was the youngest of the party, were so
frightened that they were unable to do anything
Hancock jumped into the river and rescued his
companion, after much effort 1t was several
days before Terrence recovered.
hyxvs <kN An-1wx Is 4 4 -
lion the Colonel went to Baltimore to visit his
sister, and also to see Genera. Hancock, who was
stationed there He learned that his niece had
been arrested for playing my Maryland" and
Dixie on piano. Her arrest was caused by
an ofhcious young lieutenant whom she had pre-
viously snubbed. The Colonel went to the army
headquarters to see General John A. Dix, who
was In command, but he found General Han
cock was In charge. Upon hearing the circum-
stances, he caused the young ladys immediate
cock did not have an opportunity of meeting
often after this until the General was
stationed at Governors Island. OF
late years they have seen q great
deal Of each other. Not long ago the daughter
OF Colonel Torrence's niece who was under ar
rest in Baltimore. was here on visit The Col
onel took her to Governors Island. After hav-
ing shown her about the Colonel left to call
on General Hancock. After chatting little
while the Colonel excused himself to 60 but the
General, on learning that Colonel Torrence's
niece and another young lady were waiting for
him, told an orderly to show the ladies mp After
several hours they babe the General goodbye.
While waiting for the boat the young lady was
asked what she thought of Heneral Hancock
"Oh, he is a grand man" she answered, but,
uncle, he winked at me twice.
The old gentleman knowing of the trouble
with the Generals left eye, enjoyed a quiet
laugh at his nieces expense