The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1889-05-02
srRAnan AZ rIcrron.

Infantry, and came back with .
brevet brlgadief-generalis commits
siO1, and an ounce Of Confederate
lead In bis lung.
He retains both.
At the close Of the war Gen. Calls
was sent 10 Huntsville, Ala, a. a.
sistant commissioner of>ths Freed
mans Bureau. His administration
To congress, from that district 80 an
independent, receiving nearly every
vote, white and black, In Hants-
Vile. While 10 congress he intro
dneed the original resolution on
which was afterwards based the
celebrated Ru-Klux Khan bill,
which resulted In roofing out that
terrible organization. Al the end
Of his G. ngFesSiOnal term Gen. Calls
returned 90 bis old home In Lancas-
ter. Wis, where he has since
resided.
u vas there the writer met the
old veteran. Though the victim Of
uAtold suffering, caused by his
wound, aud obliged to depend en-
crutcheS for assistance in moving
about, he II a. erect a. . subaltern
fresh from West Point, and
makes up what Of physical vigOr IL
lost by mental bFilliancy. Time
has not dimmed bis eye or pain
rlOuded his memory, which is -
clear on events Of q quarter Of .
century ago - though they had hap
pened but yesterday. A charming
rscOnfcF. The old veterans stories
0f men he has met and events Of
which he has formed n part have
all the vIyIdness Of . strongly
llmned picture and ell the charm Of
personal experience.
Conversation driTted ON from one
paint To another when President
l.incOln's name was mentioned.
You were IN Washington At the
time President Lincoln was assassI.
mated. we're you not, General"
asked.
Yes" and the spare form uncon-
siOusly Strengthened. al was IN
command Of the Seventh Veteran
Reserves aud military superIuten-
dent Of the war Department at that
time. I was on duty at the depart
Inent the night the president was
assassiuated. At the moment the
fatal shot was fired I was sitting In
my Shlce waiting for Mr.. Lincoln tO
come In, - Was his custom before
retiring, and look over and answer
his kilograms. About hAlf-past ten
~ ! sat half doing in INV chair, q
captain OF my regiment, whose name
has escaped me, came -tSShing In
past the guard. Reaching the Office
lac cried: Colonel, President Lin
cOlu has been shut
Where was hs:" Inquired,
jumping 10 my feet.
Al FOrd's theatre he replied,
aud then hurrIedly told me all he
knew Of the event.
al ordered him To hurry over to
the quarters and have the regiment
turned out under arms g. quietly as
possible. In twenty minutes the
command was In line before the
war department. ] made details
for guard duty at the residences Of
the Viee-president and members Of
the cabinet, with orders 10 each
detachment 10 'lOuble-quick to their
respective posts. Tn aae orders were
promptly Obeyed and we succeeded
In saving all but Secretary Seward.
A few minutes later my orderly
Informed me that q messenger had
Just come from Miss Blair, Gov.
JOhns0n's niece, with the request
that | come To her at once. The
residence was Just across from the
department. building. / responded
tn the message Immediately. As I
Ascentled the steps found Miss
Blair standing In the vestibule In
hlshabllle aud very much agitated.
As ] came up the steps she stepped
inside the hall door while remain
ed standing la the yestlbuIe. Her
tiFst words were: Colonel, did YOU
send the guard that surrounds our
house,"
Yea I replied, the President
has been assassinated, and fearing
an attack ON the Vice-president and
cabinet I have sent Q guard To the
residence of each
Colonel, she continued, huFrl-
eddy, III tell you something will
you promise on your honor a. an
officer and 9 gentleman, that you
will leave the guard here?'
Yes, but u you have anything
TO communicate pray do 80 quickly
] replied.
~ suppose you put the guard
here 10 protect Gov. johnson
Yes
Then you must know he Is not
here tonight, and I fear some acci-
dent has befaIlen him.
Docs he remain out this way
often
az No, but he did stay out one
night, stopping at the KlrkwOod
house
This closed the conversation. I
took my leave. and hurryIng back,
ordered Major Jones To take 9 squad
and dOuble-sulek tO the Kirkwood
house, find Governor John
sOn aud consult with him as to
the best disposition Of the troops for
his protection. On arriving ct
the hotel, the major found y sleepy
night clerk on duty. stepping up 20
tn the desk, he asked, as Nire-Pres-
ident johnson In the house,
THE clerk replied surlily, look at
the register and see for yourself
The major did 50, but did not find
Gov. JOhnsOn's name.
Turning 10 the clerk again, he
said, i Wish TO know 10 Mr.. John
son IL here
ITO this the clerk replied, It's
none Of your id business"
Before the words were well out
Of his mouth Major Jones, who was
. tall muscular man, and who was
from the clerks manner,
that Mr.. Johnson Was there,
grabbed him aud dragged him
over the counter. Then giving
him . shake he cried, 'D-n you, q
johnson T. In this
house guide me 20 him or ! will
break every bone Ia your carcass
Enlightened nj the majors man.
neT the clerk arose aud led the way
10 q room where HOv. Johnson was
found quietly writing.
Good evening, said he, as Major
Jones entered what eau I do Tor
you, slr?'
President Lincoln hAs been
assasslnated st Ford's theater, sir,
and Colonel Calls has ordered the
here with = guard for you, replied
IOnes.
ITO this Mr.. johnson Quietly
replied: bear my compliments 10
Col. Calls and say to hlm thst I am
In no danger and do not want any
guard
To this Jones replied: Il was
here with this squad 10
guard you aud must obey orders.'
We'll, we'll, returned Mr.. John.
son, II You will guard me, dispose
~ yOar men - you see fit, aud ~ you
are attacked ! will defend you.
Good night, sir
a1NI,t,h ~. Nj. -