Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-07-25
A PECULIAR COLLECTION.
Boots With Civil-war Memories and 9th
ers With Romantic Histories.

Boots With Civil-war Memories and 9th.
With Romantic Histories.
A well-known citizen of St. Louis. il
years past prominent in politics, having
at one time represented his district in
! Congress, is in possession of a cOllec.
ton of shoes which is probably the
only one of its kind eXtant There are
shoes and boots, dozens of them. and
| all have been worn at some time by
their owner.
Il conceived the idea of saving W
boots and shoes that l had worm" he
said to journalist at his residence in
the West End. during the late war
When stationed near Vicksburgh, just
previous to the fall Of that city, l was
riding on the outskirts Of our camp one
day, when bang! went a musket, and !
felt singing sensation in my leg.
Rapidly returning TO my quarters, ]
pulled off the boots, and where you see
that hole in the boot leg a nearly spent
bullet had entered with Just sufficient
force to penetrate the leather and bruise
my leg. | kept this pair of boots and
the idea struck me of retaining all my
old footwear, as nearly every pair had
some interesting event connected with
H."
This is the second pair of boots ]
saved" he continued. taking down q
pair of well-made calf boots with mo-
rocco tops. Il bought them in New
Orleans in the latter part of 1868, pay
ing for them $35O-confederate cur
rency. About them there is nothing OF
interest except the price. Here is one
boot only" he observed. picking up
single boot You see it is labeled
May 3, 1864. Its mate is missing. !
did not wear them long. as you can see.
One day soon after buying them, our
regiment was ordered to Chattanooga.
While on the train. one of my corns
hurting me, l pulled off the left boot,
and had barely got it off. when l was
flung headlong TO the other end of the
car. Picking myself up | jumped of
Just as the car went over an embank-
ment. There had been a collision, and
while no one was killed, a good many
of us were bruised up. and l never got
my other boot"
The speaker passed over a number OF
pairs of boots, with nearly all of which
there was connected some interesting in.
cident. One pair he had worn while
present at the last scene of the great
war dramatic surrender Of General
Lee.
This pair" he remarked, as he ex.
hibited pair of elegant morocco boots,
with great deal of fancy stitching on
the tops, was made by a shoemaker
who is still in business in ST. Louis.
His shop is now on Walnut street.
They were worn on the occasion of my
marriage twenty-five years ago, and
cost me $50 After our wedding trip
placed them away with their compan-
ions where you now see them
Here is the first pair of shoes ever
wore. The date. you see, is 1874. They
have rather heavy soles, cork toes, and
lack a great deal of having the beauty
and finish of shoes now made Agreat
many of US at that time regarded shoes,
except for farmers and mechanics, as
a Yankee idea, and unworthy of the
dignity of Southern and Western gen.
tlemen. and some of the 'old-timers' |
still cling to boots. These Shoes" he /!
pointing to a half-dOzen !
pairs, were worn while a member OF !
Congress, and from the date on each !
pair l can recall some interesting Incl !
dent; some bill in Congress. some ia
nous speech or man. some reception at i
which notable people were present, and |
other "reminiscences
Have you saved every pair you wore |
since 1852 asked the scribe.
Every one And to me the collec-
ion is invaluable. Shoe and Leather |
Gazette.