The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-05-17


l was about ten years old when he ask
ed my father to allow me to do errands
for him. Young as I was, he sent me
everywhere, and was very proud. He
sent me to the butcher, the grocer. the
printers, the book stores, the doctor, and
to different gentlemen in the city. He
was sick most of the time while L was
with him, often suffering great pain
from his malady, and yet he continued
to write good deal. I think he wrote
two or three pamphlets during the last
year of his life. I carried his manu-
scripts to the printers, and also the proof
sheets. His grandson, Benjamin Frank
lin Bache, then just out of college, who
was much with his grandfather, assisted
him in reading the proof sheets. The
young man started newspaper in the
fall after Franklin died, and it was in
his establishment that l learned the
trade of printer"
"Were you living with Franklin at the
time of his death?' inquired.
"Yes; for three months before he died
was in his room great deal, to do er-
rands for the doctor, for his attendant
Mrs. Hewson) and for the family. For
two or three weeks, l remember, DR..
Jones came several times day, and
sometimes brought Dir. Rush with him."
"Do you distinctly remember the per-
sonal appearance of Franklin" in'
quired.
Perfectly" he answered. at made
strong impression on my young mind.
When I first began to do errands for him
he was quite well-went out frequently
and received much company. He was
then strong built man, over seventy
years Of age, about five feet nine inches
in stature, and inclined to corpulency.
His complexion was fair, though he was
an old man; his eyes were grey and
very bright when he was engaged in con.
versation his hair was thin and long,
but not very gray his mouth was not
large and had decidedly sweet express
sion. Franklin was polite and kind to
everybody whether he was servant or a
Senator, for he was always gentleman.
remember when Washington called to
see him, while on his way to New York
to be inaugurated as President of the
United States. They embraced like
brothers. Franklin had been suffering
much pain that morning, but was reliev-
ed at the time OF the Presidents call,
when his manner was cheerful, almost
playful at times, for he was rejoiced to
see his friend. They never met again on
EARTH"
"You say you learned the printers
trade in the establishment of Mr.. Bache,
Franklin's grandson" remarked.
"Yes, I was his apprentice from 1892
to 1897. After had been with him a
year, finding me rather expert in detect.
ing errors in proof sheets, was frequent
ly employed as assistant proof reader
and in carrying the corrected sheets to
the writers for his paper, The advertiser.
When the government was removed to
Philadelphia from New York, Washing.
ton was very friendly to Mr.. Bache, be.
cause he was near kinsman of Frank.
lin, and occasionally wrote something on
public matters for The advertiser. He
also had official papers printed at our
office. carried corrected proof sheets
to President Washington, and sometimes
assisted him in the reading and making
proper printers marks for corrections,
which he did not always understand
$50 you were once an errand boy for
DIR. Franklin and Washington's assist
ant proof reader" remarked.
"It is even so, and am proud of the
service" said the veteran with bright
smile of satisfaction. "But Washington
friendship for Bache soon cooled" he
continued. Jefferson gained control ol
Bache and his newspaper, politically,
after Freneau left the city. He was 9
violent political enemy of Hamilton, you
know, and many articles were publish
cd in Bache's paper abusing the Secre'
tary Of the Treasury and other leaders
OF the Federal party. Under the name
of the Aurora, the paper published most
scandalous attacks upon Washington'l
administration. distinctly remember
the great excitement in Philadelphia
caused by an outrageous article in thu
aurora against Warrington, . day or two
after he retired from the Presidency il
the spring of 1877. I well remember thal
the butchers Of Spring Garden, who hai
been soldiers under Washington, wer,
% incensed that they marched In . body
TO attack the Aurora Office. They threw
its types into the street and nearly de
stroyed the inside Of the rooms"
political excitement ran high at tina
time, did II not ?" asked.
| "Nsver more violent since," he repli
ed. "Why, fora while it separated fam
lilies and religious denominations in 70
cial intercourse. The pulpits became
political rostrums. remember that d
Nay, l7oe. % . day al fnGting aad psoy
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