The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-01-10
THE STORY OF JOHN WILKINS


was stormy and dismal, and, though we
had the usual number of travellers on
their way northward, and there was no
lack of social enjoyment, the time hung
heavily on my hands, until we reached
lower Arkansas, when we all became in
volved in the most exciting of incidents.
On such journeys, the majority OF
passengers soon become acquainted, and
am quite sure by the time we reached
the section named, l was known 10
every one on the boat.
There was one gentleman, between
whom and myself a mutual friendship
was formed, destined to last through
life.
He was educated, fine looking 6nd an
excellent conversationalist, and met my
advances so courteOuSly, that l counted
the long trip as one of the most pleasant
| had ever undertaken.
Many of the readers will appreciate
the mutual attraction in our case, when
| state that he was member of the Sc
cret order of Free Masons, to which !
also belonged. There is no section OF
the globe where the "brOthers OF the
mystic tie" are not found, ard where
they do not ;nstinctively gravItate to-
ward each other, every one ready to do
his utmost to assist and befriend his
associate in every way possible.
On the second day my new acquaint-
ance complained of IndispositioD, and
withdrew to his state room. Not max
ing his appearance the following morn
ing, knocked at his door. When admit
ted, found him lying on his lounge
aflAme with fever. He greeted me cor
daily, and as took his hand, sat down
beside him with the laughing remark
that was something of physician, and
would prescribe for him especially since
there happened to be no regular physi-
clan aboard.
1t required but minutes careful
scrutiny of the gentleman's appearance
and a knowledge of his symptoms, tc
learn the startling fact that he was
down with dangerous attack of thai
dread scorge, the smallpox.
Il thought so, he replied with quie
smile, "and | am sorry am not a
home. for there is no one on board tt
look after me-"
You are mistaken" | remarked. @
have been through the disease, and viii
see that you have every attention posi-
ble."
He pressed my hand, and looked th'
graft ude he could not speak.
r questing him to say nothing definite
to any questions asked. went out Il
consult the captain, but to my consier
nation, found that somehow or other
the news had preceded me.
1t was known to every one on board
that the passenger in the state room hat
the smallpox Not only that, but
number of panic-stricken men had gath
cred about the captain, and insisted tha
the sufferer should be put ashore with
out delay.
Nothing more inhuman can be imag
ined, for to do this. it was necessary t
leave him in the desolate lowlands o
Arkansas, beyond sight of any humaI
habitation, where he must perish mos
niSerably.
DO you intend to put him ashore
| asked, from the outer edge of the eX
cited group that crowded around him.
Il have promised" replied the car
tain; "these mpH swear they will shoe
me # / do not"
"And swear by the eternal that
will shoot you if ou do ! called oul
di play ing my loaded revolver.
The crowd were cowed for moment
but fnres the end. unless ! secure
speedy help; still, threatening all sort
of things, passed hurriedly about tn
boat in quest of other Free Ma5on'
There were plenty of them, and ] reca
that there WAS not a single one v h0 WA
not well heeled" IL was the faShiOr
as you know in those days, and 1t hash'
as vet, entirely gone out of date.
About half the men on board weT
brothers" and we made such dete
: mined stand, that hostillties were hel
in allowance. | then explained tha
81 ce mad passed through the smallpo
| won d establish myself in the sic
mans cabin. and remain with him
the end of the journey. The waiter
could bring such articles as were needle
| set them down at safe distance, an
when they had withdrawn, | could &
out and get them. promised CAREFUL
,, to refrain from all contact with any on
else, and to do my utmost to prever
the spread of the contagion.
: This arrangement was sulIenly accep
ed, and faithfully carried out on m
part. | stayed with my friend, and, q
he needed nothing but careful nursing
and possessed a vigorous const ttut'oT
he safely passed the crisis OF the disease
and was suon convalescent.
We reached Louisville late at nigh
found the captain of the steamer,
! which it was necessary to transfer M
patient, and explained the case. ID
was Free Mason, and not only religi
ously kept our secret, but lent all poss
BILE help. My friend was moved into
state room. and l again took up m
quarters with him, not solitary pas
senger suspecting the truth.
By this time. he WINS convalescin
splendldly but prudentIy kept him ou
of sight, until we reached the landing
Kentucky, where it was necessary
leave the boat in order to reach T.
home.
His carriage was waiting, and too
my seat beside him and rode to hi
handsome residence. OF course he wa
grateful beyond expression. and inslste
on making me some subs tantlal acknow
edgment. allowed him to pay the e1
ira expenses, to which | had been sui
iected, but of course could accept n
more. | pressed his hand, bade hir
good by, and never saw him again.
His daughter accompanied ME to tn
landing, aud. as was departing ,hande
me a sealed letter from her father, wit
the request that would not open it Ut
ill reached my home. / complied an
on breaking the seal at my house /
Knoxville, found one hundred dolla
bill, with prayer. that il in the futui
| should ever require a friend, | woul
call on him.
This was exceedingly pleasant, and
| have kept that note ever since, for th
name signed at the bottom was on
which became known all over the cour
try ten years later. / had no idea tha
| would ever stand in need OF his friend
ship, but listen
II you will examine the list of name
of the Union prisoners in the Knoxvill
Jail, in December, 1861, you will fin
among them that of John wilkins, VIII
: was among those accused If blidg
burning. John Wilkins is myself, anC
took my place among the prisoners
couple of days before we were joined
the famous Parson Brownlow, who wa
an old acquaintance and friend Of min'
Those dreadful days are gone forever
and not for the world would | recall
memory that would cause an unpleassr
, feeling on the part of living huma
. being. Partisanship ran high, excite
ment was ut white heat, brother was al
= rsyed against brother and shockin
cruelty was perpetrated by both sides.
A number of prisoners were taken OF
and shot, and, as possessed considers
BILE property and was looked upon as
leader, l believed, with the rest, that m
turn would soon come. | may add, !
this place, though | personally kne'
some of my companions had been d.
molishing bridges to a considerable eI
l. IL. 1. l.. L. L..