Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-22

breakfast. When he had finished his meal
he drove away. In less than an hour some
officers came along in pursuit of horse
thief, and Rusk learned that the man who
had taken breakfast with him was the feI-
low
The officers stopped and discussed the
fgit;ve's probable course, and when they
lad gone the hotel-keeper concluded that
there was only one road that the thief would
be likely to take He mounted enc of his
best horses and took the road to Kickapoo.
He was good rider and knew how to be
wisely unsparing of his horses strength.
In the course Of twenty miles he overlook
the buggy and found the norse-thief fast
asleep, worn out with the fatigue of his
flight RuSk rode up alongside the buggy
and, without moments hesitation, sprang
from his horse into it, and, singie-handed,
after hard struggle, captured the man.
His good service as sheriff commended
him for higher honors, and he was elected
| to the State Legislature in 1851. He con-
tDued in the Legislature until 1862, when
he raised regiment, declining the Colonelcy
and accepting a Majors commission for the
reason, he said, that be knew nothing about
military service and wanted to serve in
position where he could learn before he was
called upon to command. He soon found
that the position OF Major was not so orna-
mental as he thought, and, in the course of
active service, it was not long before he re-
ceived q military education. He took part
in the Minnesota Indian campaign. and was
then sent TO the siege and capt
ure of Nicksburg. He was soon pro-
NOTED and assigned to General Sher-
mans army and went through the Atlanta
campaign. When the heroic Mcpherson
fell, Colonel Rusk was in command at the
front and lost one-third of his men. During
the battle he was once cut off from his COM
mand and surrounded by the Confederates.
His sword was seized and he was told 10
surrender. He drew his revolver and, firing
right and left. broke through his assailants
and ran. His horse was literally riddled
with bullets. One shot struck him in the
leg. but did not prevent his running When
he thought he had nearly escaped he met
lUsty big Confederate ii his pathway, with
q lowered bayonet pointed exactly where
Rusk wanted to go. He had one bullet left
in his revolver, and that bullet killed the
Confederate
When General Garfield was elected Pres
ident one OF the first things he did, without
so much as consulting RUsk, was 70 uoui-
nate him as Minister 10 Paraguay and
Uruguay. The nomination was at once
unanimously confirmed by the Senate, but
the mission was declined. Garfield then
asked him to become Minister to Denmark,
and also offered to make him Chief of the
Bureau OF Engraving and Printing. but both
Of these places were declined. for the good
reason that at that time il was pretty well
decided that General Rusk would be nomi-
mated for Governor of Wilson's Il. He was
elected to this place in the fall CT ISL. 4
strong effort was made by the Prohibition
lists To draw of Republican votes dUriI
this campaign A Mr., kanouse was nomi-
mated as the Prohibition candidate for Gov
ernor, and durlRg the campaign Governor
RUsk and Mr.. hanoQse met TO speak at a
little town IL the northern part of the State.
They were good friends and sat down at
their hotel IN company with the friends of
each, among whom were a number of
clergymen who were enthusiastic for the
Prohibition ticket In the course Of the
evening Mr. Kanouse bought couple Of
cigars and offered one Of them 10 M. R,sk
Thank you,' was the reply. =" I never
smoked in al ny life"
At this there was loud cheer from all
the company present, and one OF the old
ministers, waking up 10 the Governor.
tapped him kindly On the shoulder AID
SAID:
Ycu never smoked / VIII vote for
you have fought tobacco more than fifty
years. Mr. kaaouse, will never support
you"
Throughout his term OF ofsce, Governor
RusA has displayed always great good
sense he plainly admits that be lacaS
education, but be believes that he is honest
and, in . pinch, knows how 70 get along
with pretty stubborn obstacles He had
not been n Office 8 month when there was q
large railroad strike. and nearly two tho1-
sand men were for two months out of pay.
They became desperate, and threate-ed 70
destroy the railroad property. The presi-
dent Of the road telegrsphed TO Governor
Rusk for militia Instead OF sending
troops, tie Governor replied BY wire:
'sYour E,ea need bread instead of
bayolets." and directed that they be fur
uisasG provisions Al the sane tine be
warned the strikers that the laws must be
respected and obeyed, ard that he wog.i DO
al Ii MS power 70 secure fer them their
snst dues. NbAn Tia str1xs ncazraai fhA