Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-08-02
GnuDIuoN AMONG TI:E IuooS,Eus
Mellott, Indiana, July 22d. 1890.

Mellott. Indiana, July 22d. 1890.
ED. JoURNAL:-I left Monticello on
the 2lst at 2:o'clOck L. NJ. over the air
line and arrived at Frankfort ut 3:l5 II.
Nj. but did not make connection with
the L. st. l.. IL X. G.. and had To Law
over till next morning. Frankfort is
beautiful little city with population
of about 1000. | had Il ,ettcr of intro
duction to Capt. Thomas Smith, late
of the 10th Rcgt. Ind. Vols, who took
me in charge. The Captain is one of
those whole-souled fellows in whose
company one can feel perfectly ut
home.
After run of thirty eight miles we
arrived ut this place
From here | took Il hack and was
driven to Newtown. where / met u
number OF old friends with whom
passed the greater part of my boyhood
days. While here / visited Newtown
cemetery. Il beautiful pla .e, aud mt 10
o'clock found myself standing in the
midst of the silent dead, near the ashes
of Il dear sister, who died in 1886, my
heart wells up with emotion. and after
/; few moments of silent meditation,
turn from the sacred spot and weud
my way back to the village.
After wandering over the village
and talking with old friends of things
that transpired half century ago, [
take IL carriage. and with an old aQuuin-
tance, drive back to AIellutt. thence to
the old homestead ON which my
father settled after he left Ohio in 1884.
This is the dearest spot to me ON
earth; here passed the happy days of
my childhood, and now rs | walk down
the old path which leads to beautiful
spring of pure water, | am reminded
OF the fact that many, very many times
did my dear old mother tread in this
same old path, more than II half CEN
tury ago. AS | get down to take IL
drink from the old spring instead of
seeing the reflection of the little tow
headed boy of nearly three score years
ago | see the image of an old man
with gray hair and wrinllled brow, and
| am forcibly reminded of my approach
ing dissolution.
From this old homestead | attended
district school, having to walk four
II dense forest inhabited by prowling
wolves and Kissing reptiles. Our din
ner consisting of johnnie cake baked
on n board, cold potatoes and fat pork
with an occasional piece of vcnison,
wild turkey, raccoon, or wood chuck.
But, notwithstanding all these difficult
ties, We needed no truant officers to
force us to school. d. w. Vorhees
fuOw Senator Eorhecsl attended the
same school. | have often thought
since Dan has got to be such big man
that mt that time he was not any bet
ter looking, or any smarter boy than
myself.
But Dams father lived in brick house
the only brick house in all this part
of the country and Dan was sent to
college while my father had to support
IL family OF thirteen, by driving pegs.
SO you see what Il little money will do.
Dan Vorhecs the notwithstanding boy
OF half century ago, is now U. 5. SEN
ator, while your correspondent, II good
looking boy of half y century ago,
remains Il common black-swamp clod-
hopper. Leaving the scenes of my
boyhood days return to Mellott, and
from here | go to Wingate to visit
some relatives. While here | visit
the grave of dear brother, who died
In 1878. My visit to Indiana is now nj
an end and bid my friends adieu anC
take the 500 train on the T.St. l.. & X
e Z. X. for old Wood County,the bes
; place of all.
will try and write you concerning
the crops, etc. after get home.
Yours Fratcrnally,