The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-12-30
A WISE DECISION.
How Phil Sheridan Obtained His West
Point AppOintment.

How Phil Sheridan Obtained His West
Point Appointment.
1t is well-known fact that General
Sheridan's parents were people in very
humble circumstances, and that his
father had hard struggle to support
and educate his large family. And it
was necessary for the boys early in life
to seek employment in order that they
might support themselves and assist
their father as much as possible. They
were all unusually bright and indus
trious, and were not only willing but
anxious to do all they could.
At the time of which we write the
Lancaster (Ohio) Congressional dist
rict, in which old Mr.. Sheridan and his
family reside, was represented by
Democrat. This member was entitled
to the appointment of cadet at the
West Point Military Academy, as were
all other members under the law. Be-
fore he had made selection, however,
two of his constituents, both friends of
his, very wealthy, each concluded that
he would like to have his son receive
the appointment, and accordingly each
started out among his friends in the
district to obtain recommendations to
the member of Congress for the appoint
ment of his son. The men were both
we'll liked, and, as consequence,
through their determined efforts, almost
all of the people in the district had
taken sides, and the Congressman was
pressed upon all sides to appoint one
or the other. He was in dilemma; to
appoint either would bring the enmity
of the other and all his friends. He
concluded he would advise with
Thomas Ewing, who was then Sena-
tor and resided in the town of Lancas-
ter. Accordingly he went to the Sena-
tors house and explained the situation
to him. After thinking the matter
over for moment, the Senator said
eff I were in your place would not
| appoint either of these boys. Iwould
select some poor mans son and send
him; each of these men and his friends
would be glad that you did not appoint
the others son, and the whole peo
pie of the district would applaud
you for sending poor boy" "That''
a capital idear remarked the now de
lighted member, as he saw way out o.
the difficulty; "but where is there a boy
can sendp" just then old Mr.. Sher
idan, who was employed by Senator
Ewing, walked into the dining-roon
where the two were sitting, with som'
stove wood in his arms. There" sait
the Senator, sis Sheridan; he has SOM
bright boys, and you couldn't do bette
than to send one of them" In tn,
meantime Sheridan had deposited hi
wood in the box behind the stove an,
was going out of the room. Sheridan,
said the Senator, chow would you like t,
have one of your boys go to Yves
Point?" 81 don't know, SIR" replies
Sheridan; 81 never thought of that, an,
, you know better about it than do.
would leave it all to you, SIR" "Well,
said the Senator, ''if either was to b
sent, which would you prefer to hav
go?" II don't know about that either
3 sir. If it's for books you want him
you had better send Mike; but if it's fo
fighting you want him, you had bette
send Phil, and Sheridan went his way
''There," said the Senator to the Con
gresham, there's your chance. st
for fighting you want him. now SEN
. Phil Sheridan" and he did.-Chicag
Inter Ocean,