The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-09-05


IL. D., was once president of COLUMBIA
college, and his great-grandfather, Gen.
Rufus King, was one of the signers Of
the Declaration of Independence and
twice minister to England. On his moth
er's side he is direct descendant Of
John Eliot, the Indiap apostle. In 1916
Rufus King went to milwaukee and be-
came editor of The Sentinel, residing
there continuously until his appointment
to Rome. In 1853 Charles King was
sent to Columbia college, where he re-
manned until 1851. Within few hours
after Fort Sumter had been fired upon
young King turned up In the camp OF
the Wisconsin volunteers at Washing
ton, with drum sticks in hand. At 10
years of age he saw his first soldering
in Virginia. He was guide for Gen. w.
s. Hancock when he first crossed the
Potomac mt the head of his brigade. In
1862 King was appointed cadet at
West Point by President Lincoln, and
he graduated No. 2,136, and number %
in a class of 40. After graduating at
West Point he was kept there for some
time as military instruction. high COM
pllment TO SuDaltern Ofhcer.
From 1866 to 1859 Capt. King served
in the regular army as cavalry officer,
stationed at New Orleans. Then he was
ordered to West Point as instructor in
cavalry tactics. He was relieved from
duty in 1871 to accept a staff position.
From 1871 to 1874 he. was confidential
aid ON the staff of Maj. Gen. w. H.
Emory, with station at New Orleans
There was romantic turn to Capt
Kings life about this time. 1t will be
remembered that there was "a good deal
of excitement over an international race
of gentlemen riders on the old Metaire
track, at New Orleans, in April, 1872.
England, Ireland, France and Austria
were represented, but there was no one
to ride for the United States. AT the
last minute Capt. King entered the con-
test, and the race was a notable one.
Distinguished people from all over the
country were present. The flower and
beauty of the south turned out and the
grand stand at the Jockey club on
that particular day was scene of be-
wildering beauty and chivalry. The
race was a magnificent one, and to the
surprise and delight of every one King
won it by two lengths.
After the huzzahs OF congratulation
had subsidized the victor was presented
with gold whip, which he took across
the track and laid in the lap of young
lady who had accompanied Gen. and
Mrs. Emory. She has the whip yet, and
it is suspended from a ribbon over thee
parlor mantel in Capt. Kings coy home.
They were married few months after
the stirring incident. After going
through the reconstruction period in the
south our hero asked to be relieved from
staff duty to join his troop, K, Fifth
cavalry. In the Apache campaign in
Arizona, in 1874, King saw brilliant SER
vice. The troop of which he was in
command became conspicuous Gen.
Sherman publicly stated that he consid-
cred their services ''unequaled by those
of any cavalry regiment" On Nov. 1,
| 1874, King was severely wounded at
| Sunset pass. He was then only saved
from falling into the hands of the blood
| thirsty savages by the valorous devotion
of one of his soldiers.
For months the intrepid commander
was laid up with a shattered saber arm.
Almost before it was well he was in the
saddle again and went through the ter
| rible- Big Horn and Yellowstone cam
| paigns. His service was brilliant, his
bravery matchless and his GOODNESS, in
| the heat of many of the most terrible bat
| tlesever fought with the Indians, won him
unstinted praise from his superiors. In
1878 Kings wound, which had never
healed, became so troublesome that he
| was forced to go before a retiring board.
| The next year he left the army that he
loved so wen and became shelved war
| rior-full of scars and glory, before he
had reached one-half of mans three-score-
and-ten years. And thus it was that the
soldier became an author. After his re-
| tirement he held several important civil
| and military commissions, and becan4
identified prominently with the nationSi
guard, in which he is still very much inn
terested.
In Capt. Kings study, where he
writes his stories, there is the veritable
Navajo blanket in which his soldiers
bundled or carried him down the noun
tain side after receiving his wound at
Sunset Pass. There, too, can be seen
the pictures in uniforms of many of the
heroes of his stories. Shoulder straps,
sword belts, forage cap and buckskin
leggings are suspended from the walls
There are a thousand and one other Curl
Gus things picked up by the captain dur
ing his army life. On the wall is fine
portrait of Gen. Rufus King, and near
by is the magnificent presentation sword
owned by the soldier-writer's distin-
guished father. Altogether it is home
Of refinement and taste. Capt. King
and the lady who won the Metairo
whip have three children, and there is q
Charles King. Jr., who is living pic
ture of the father and a perfect soldier
in miniature. Ct. III. YENowINE.
Fitted by Experience.
IL \