The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1889-03-14
THE old GREY EAGLE
IN Interesting Letter Regarding Maj.
Gen. R. 4. HllRUys Swords
The $1,000 Made Presented % the
ttPatFlot and True sOlaleR.''.s
Other swords.


OLYMPIA, March l.
Atthe corner Of Main and Twelfth streets
Is the home Of Major General X. H. Mil
roy, 1.-THE Old Grey Eagle Of Indiana"
Having heard Of the beautiful sword pre-
sented to him at Winchester, | called one
afternoon and asked to see II. Kind Mrs.
Milroy, whose affection and admiration
for her warrior husband are lovely to be-
hold, readily acceded to my wish and
brought forth for my interest, not only
the many trophies Of war carefully pre-
served by her loving hands, but such q
store Of anecdotes, pathetic, laughable and
heroic, as would fill q volume. Now let
us tell you what memory and space will
permit Of that delightful visit.
And first, as q foundation, q few facts
in regard to the Generals life. He was
born Jdne l6, 1915, in what was then In
diana territory. At the time Of his birth,
his father, General Samuel Milroy, was
absent as delegate to the constitutional
convention called to form Q state constitu-
ton. Years afterwards, when that con-
stitution was to be amended, the son,
General Robert Milroy, was chosen TO
take part In the work. He entered col
lege at %, and afterwards studied law.
Three others who became distinguished
men were examined with himself for adj
mittance TO the supreme court Of the stete.
They were Senator Dan voorhees,, Oliver
P. Morton and General Lew Wallace. The
General takes much pleasure in telling
this story Of the famous NnthoF Of Ben Hur.
'sLew" was not q brilliant scholar, a.
was evinced by the fact that this was his
third trial for admittanco to the court.
His later intellectual activity Is believed
to be largely due to the influence and ex-
ample Of his accomplished wife. How
ever, he was determined to get through
this time II 1t took all night, "and II did
take nearly that time" adds the General.
One after another the applicants finished
their work and passed out, but young
Wallace still sat porting over his papers.
He strung out long and elaborate answers
to every question, hoping, he said, that
something in them would be pertinent to
the subject. Finally, late at night, or in
early morning, his task was accomplished
and successfully.
with the breaking out Of the Mexican
war, Mr.. Milroy promptly raised com
pany, Of which he was made captain. On
the night before their departure, the
whole town hocked 10 the court house TO
bid farewell to the gallant volunteers.
One Of the ceremonies was the presenta-
ton Of flag made by the ladies Of the
village. Let MEs. Milroy tell the story:
at happened that l was selected to pre-
sent the Gag. I was only q little &C
quainted with the General then, though
his sister and were great friends. The
court house was crowded and I had to
step out before them all and present the
flag with little speech. Wait Q miautel
Ibelieve can say it nov. Wabash In
vincibIesl am depufed by the ladies Of
Delphi 10 present TO you this flag as tes-
'n n, :. ~. 49, 49,. ~ IN. ~. 49, n ~
sponded to the call Of our beloved cOun-
try. Go, then, and our prayers 60 with
yoa, Tor your health and SAFE and honor.
able return 70 dear tIlends and loved
homes. FareweiP" Fancy what amo
mentous occasion Il must have been TO
the fair-haired' proWn-eyed GIRL mat
amer more than forty years she can 10
peat the exact words Of that touching Ut
We addressl
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history; PRESENTED 70 MAJOR General