The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-05-05
Hours With Men and Women Of
The Revolution.
DIR. FRANKLIN ERRAND BOY.


copyrighted, 1883, by Tank & IVagnallS. !
"Would you like TO be introduced to Dr.
Franklin's errand boy?' asked friend
with whom was sojourning few days in
Philadelphia, in the year 1861. ''He is a
most remarkable man." said my friend,
land has been prominent citizen here for
fully sixt, years."
''lt would be special privilege" l re-
piled.
delphia, and made our way to the Pennsyl-
Yania Asylum for the lnsane. At the ell
trance gate ny friend w warmly greeted
by a courteous old gentleman, apparently
about sixty-five years of age, who was in
troduced to me as Colonel Robert Carr, and
| was introduced to him as a citizen OF
New York in quest of "reminiscences OF
events of our long-past history from the
lips of survivors of actors in them.
You bear the whole naine." l said, "of
| the Irish baronet who was one Of the conf
mlssioners sent TO regulate New England
and to assist in snatchlng our province
from the Dutch two hundred years ago."
| ''Of the same family stock, probably, for
1 was born in Ireland" he replied. Come
| in, gentleman, and be seated. 1t is an
early hour, and we shall have few inter
ruptions."
He led the way to a small furnished
room, and there we spent about two hours
very profitably with the venerable gate
keeper of the Asylum, and the errand-boy
of DIR. Franklin, who was then oyer
eighty three years of age, and whose
career has been checkered b. many yicissi-
Ludes. He was a stout-built, vigorous man,
possessed of sound health and remarkable
bouyancy of spirits. He assured me that
he had not been sick in over sixty years.
You say you were born in Ireland. My
friend tells me that your life has been quite
an eyentful one?" remarked.
Somewhat" he said. "But it is now
well nigh over" he continued. II try to
forget the miseries which are few, and to
remember the mercies which are many"
AT my request he gave brief sketch OF
his life S history. He was brought to
] philadelphia from Ireland by his parents
when he was six years of age. His father
/ was a school teacher and lived next door to
DR.. Franklin In due time young Carr
learned the art of printing with Mr.. Bache,
Franklin's grandson, and soon rose to the
head of the profession in Philadelphia. In
1904, when he was only twenty-six years
old, he was awarded the first prize Of a So
ciety for the best specimens of printing on
exhibition. He was employed to print
Wilson's "ornithology" from the manu-
script, also reprint of "Rees's Cycloped
ia" AS young member OF the famou:
Philadelphia military corps known as the
Mcpherson Blues" he was one of the
firing squad on the occasion of the celebra
tion of Washington's S funeral by Congress
then in session at Philadelphia. Five o
his associates were living in that city at the
time of my visit, namely: Charles Breck
aged ninety; S. Palmer. aged eighty-one
s. +. Smith, aged eighty-one; Charles n
Banker, aged eighly-five; Quinton Camp
bell, aged eighty-fYe. saw three of thu
i've veterans at that time.
In 1919 Mr.. Carr was commissioned
major of a Pennsylvania regiment of in
iantry, and rose to lieutenant-colonel tn,
following year. Serving faithfully al
through the war OF 1s12-15, Colonel Car
was honorably discharged at its close, iaI
formany years he was the sole survivor do
the field officers of the Army of 1912, il
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware
He married a daughter of William Bart
ram, the proprietor of the famous Botanic
Garden, near Philadelphia, and in right o
his wife, after her father's death, be car
ried It ON from 1903 until 1850, period o
more than forty years. He served th'
State as adjutant-general few years, ant
was for a long time an alderman and jus
tice of the peace in Philadelphia. In hi
days of prosperity he was an active pro
moter of public enterprises. Deprived o
his property by the vicissitudes of fortun
in his old age, he accepted the position o
gate-keeper at the institution where W
found him.
sour friend tells me-" l remarked, "tha
you were an errapd boy for DR.. Franklin
for while"
"oh, yes" he replied, 81 served him a
such for the space.of nearly two years. w
lived next door to DR.. Franklin, in Marke
street, and he seemed 10 think much Q
my father, who was frequently 10 his hous
by Invitation. sometimes went ther
!, with my father, and Franklin treated m
very kindly, having always pleasan
word for me. was about ten years ol
when be asked my father 70 allow me 70 d
srrands for him. Young as was, be seu
me sysrywhefe, and was very proud. II
cent me to tbs butcher, the grocer, th
printers. the bookstores. tbs doctor, aud
: different gentlemen in the city. He wa
sick most Of the time whlleI vas with hin
0itsD suffering great pain from his nalad'