The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-03
THE MAN WHO SAVED VOORHEES,.


Senator Voorhees, recollection Of the incident
on q vandalia train. during the war. when
Union soldiers assaulted him for his repeated de-
nunciation of them and their cause, seems to be
impaired His Democratic friends of that time
who. like himself, are now posing as the sol
diers' friends also have weak memories in re-
gard to 1t. But there are several people living
in Indianapolis who were the train at the
time. Among them was Capt r. E. Smith.
who yesterday gave an account not only of that
scene, but Of q speech which Senator Voorhees,
made. and which was alluded to by Senator
Ingalls, day before yesterday.
II was present upon at least two of the occa-
sions alluded to oy Senator ingalls,, Capt Smith
said; 'the delivery Of the Grsencsstls speech
an dI the disturbance the train. Concerning
the first do not understand how Senator Voor-
hees can persistsntly deny making tho state
ment accredited TO him. There are a hundred
residents OF the town wherein it was made who
we'll remember it. and with me is is as fresh a.
though had only heard it yesterday. can
still repeat . sentence that fully represents tho
tone of the speech: i say to you, my fellow
citizens. as your representative will never vote
one dollar, one gun, nor one man to carry on
this unholy war against our Southern brethren
Imagine what q storm OF indignation such
q sentiment aroused in the breasts Of
loyal men who were even then preparing
to 60 to the front This speech was made just
before the first call for troops in February r
March. 1861. At the close Of the war Senator
Northeastern Cougressman-came again to
Greencastle and delivered another speech.
was then resident Of that place. and reported
the speech for the Grssncastle Banner. As q
gresham Voorhees, denied having made ii, but
there was at hand such mass Of testimony
that his protests were upavailing. For . long
time preserved copy of the Banner Of that
date but it is now lost
As to the violence offered voorhees, on the
train may speak knowingly, for was in COM
mand of the soldiers who attacked him. and
there is no question about their menacing him.
Company A, Seventy eighth Indiana Volunteers,
having organized the company in Greencastls.
We were going to Kentucky on the Terre Haute
road, and 40 We passed through Greene astle
Voorhees, boarded the train. The soldiers
and officers occupied cars in the rear
Of the train. but q few Of the men
The recollection of his speech was still with
them. for they were all from Greencastle whore
the company had been organized. and they be-
came very much incensed. When we had left
Greencastle short time the conductor and my
sergeant came back hurriedly and asked mo to
go forward, as there was trouble. did so. and
found four of tho company attemnting to throw
Voorhees, through the car window. He was
without MS hat Tor the men had thrown 1t out
Of the window, and be stood very pale. Had
not intsrfered am sure some violence would
have been done him. but as I put
the men under arrest at once there
was no further trouble. Two Of his assailants
arc still alive, Messur B. >Welch. of Cloverdale,
in Putnam county. and Lieut. Lse W. St Clair,
q Representative in the last Legislature.
living 1t Se3eu, Ind. Another is dead, and the
last OF the four arrested have forgotten. /
have no recollection of any attempt to hang
Senator Voorhees, with the bell rope. but be had
. close call. notwithstanding, and 1T was only
by arrestine some of the soldiers that violence
to his person was prevented