The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-07-06
HE IS A VETERAN or TWO WARS,
Has Sailed on a SLAYER and Been
Shipwrecked Eleven Times.
Such Is the story of p. 8. Downer, a
Native OF Portland,
Who Is Now Walking to the Nome OF
His Boyhood.

KINGSTON, N. Y. Jnly. .5.-P..S. Downer,
hale, CHEEKY, well dressed old man. arrived
here yesterday, from Cleveland. Ohio. en-
route to Maine. He walked from Cleveland
to this city. He told the following story:
II was born In Portland, Me-, In 1909.
When l arrived at manhood, l went on the
ship James Murray. which was about TO
start for the Arctic on a whaling expedition.
That was In 1888. After an absence Of near
iy three years we were wrecked near Manila.
one OF the Philippine Islands. We were
picked up by passing vessel. and landed
safely at Manila. Here remained thres
months. when secured berth On the brig
Cayuga, a smuggler, On which made three
voyages. ono to the Spanish Main, one 10
China, and the other to Japan. In China. In
1887, left the Cayuga and acted as book
keeper there for two years in store. In
1889 left China for the United States on the
Sea Witch. the first clipper that ever left
New York harbor. Then entered the mer-
chant marine service, going up the Mediter-
ranean Straits to Liverpool, London. etc. 1
remained In the service five years.
Later on joined the United States navy.
During the Mexican war was on the frigate
Savannah, being one Of 300 volunteers who
responded to the call for help. particIpat-
ed in the bombardment Of Vera Cruz, aud
was present at the final surrender In the
City of Mexico. After that war l came
back TO this country and again boarded
merchant ship, the George Washington. We
were wrecked In the Indian Ocean, and
were carried to Rio de Janeiro by a French
freighter. We were told that yellow fever
nroyaifQA az Ria dQ lanQir0 AZ this TINA md
the American Consul there advised US to re-
turn home. This we decided to do, and soon
found employment on ship at the enormous
salary Of 800 per month. 1t seemed strange
that the skipper wanted to pay such large
salaries, and not until we were far out at sea
did we learn that we had boarded slave
ship. There were 100 slaves on board, and
all were taken to Cuba, where was finally
released.
II was wrecked at sea eleven times. The
last wreck Of which was a victim occurred
OF Portland, Oregon, April 7th of this year,
when the good ship Adelaide went down
with nearly all on board. Twenty-four
army and joined the Fifth Maine Heavy Ar
tillery. / was wounded In 1852, and com
pelled to remain In hospital for one month.
returned 70 New York and re-enlisted In
the Fourth New York Heavy Artillery, and
remained at the front until the close OF the
war. Though 80 years Of age. / have walked
all the way from Cleveland TO this city. /
am on my way TO Maine, where expect 10
meet my family, after an absence Of about
twelve years. Then shall 90 10 Washing
ton, look after my pensions, and devote the
rest Of my time TO writing book Of my ca
reer.
"Some years ago was In Delaware county
New York, when met an old acquaintance
OF mine, Ned Buntline. He's dead, now
am told. Well, at that time, Ned offered me
$500 for a history Of my life, which he
wanted to put In book form. tald him 1
truth In writing them up. you know
can't do that said Ned, so he didn't get the
material"
The old man showed documents which
ing story. He left on the night boat last
evening foE New York city.