Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-07-18

prises. What helps one, helps all, and
we rejoice al the pushing ahead Of these
great enterprise in the Interest Of man
ufactures and transportation in all
sections Of the State
The BsorstaIy Of Agriculture.
The number Of The Breeder's Ca
zettc Chicago, NJ for July 2, con
tanned by far the best and evidently most
correct portrait Of Hon. j. NJ. Husk,
secretary Of Agriculture. that has ever
been published. The publishers Of that
paper claim that it IA q thoroughly life
like portrait. IL represents man Of
the physique AMI commanding
presence, and with genial
c0untenauee that wins friends for
hlln wherever he goes. Mr.. Rusk was
born in Morgan county, Ohio, and few
weeks since celebrated his sixtieth
birthday with few friends at his farm
near Viroqua, Wisconsin.
Mr.. Eusk IL pre-eminently a selt-Inadc
nian. Left Al orphan AT an early age
aud thrown entirely upon his own re-
sources he acquired nothing more than
the mere rudments Of an education so
far az school books and school 60. When
hut fifteen years Of age he was a stage
driver on an old fashioned four horse
ioncord coach In Ohio, riding the near
wheel horse aud driving with single
line, A. wa the custom in those days.
While thus engaged he formed the ac-
lluaiotanec of James \. Garfield, who
was then driving mnles ON the canal
tow path" The friendship Of those
boyhood days was never forgotten, and
Mr.. Rusk lived to greet his early-found
friend A. President nf the United STATES
and to remind him Of the time when he
dow ned" him In a ''rastle" flair holt. "
When about twenty three years Of age
he went to Wisconsin and employed him
self first rs stage driver and finally as a
farmer. Ia the latter occupation an in
cident occurred which turned the enr
rent Of his life. While standing n the
gate one day an officer from an adioin-
ing county drove up and inquired il a
certain party, whom he described, had
driven past with horse and buggy.
Receiving an Affirmative reply, the OIL
Ger told Mr.. Rusk that the man was Il
horse thief that he was in pursuit Of
After the officer had passed Mr.. Rusk
suspected that he might take the wrong
road at the forks little further on, and
mounting horse he started forward to
ascertain the facts. Finding that the
officer had taken what in his Judgment
was the wrong road, Rusk took the other
After going several miles he saw the
buggy ahead of him, and upon ovcrtak-
ing it he was surprised to find shat the
thief had fallen asleep, probably over
come with fatigue and thinking himself
out OF danger. Without an instant's
hesitation OF a note of warning Eusk
spraug from his horse and had the thief
by the throat and conquered before he
was half awake. The people Of Vernon
county appreciated this action aud soon
thereafter elected him to the Office of
sheriff, the first office he ever held.
When the late Civil War broke
out he raised u regiment of volunteers
and was appointed Major. For bravery
in battle he was breveted Brigadicr.Gen
eral at the close of the war lie was
gress, aud subsequently, thrice elected
Governor of his State. During the lat
ter part of his gubernatorial term labor
trouble, and strikes were rampant
throughout the country, and n riot in
Milwaukee threatened the destruction of
the city. The summary manner in
Governor was in such marked contrast
with the action of the executives of
some other States that Gov. Rusk was
at once brought into National promi-
hence.
| lie now owns farm of 400 acres near
Niroqua, Wis, upon which he makes
his home. Secretary Rnsk came into
| the department of Agriculture at time
when it was possible Tor man with the
right qualifications to accomplish much
( good. We expressed the opinion at the
time that we had high hopes of his sue-
| cess on account of his well-kuown ener
gy, integrity, tirmness, and decision of
character. aud we are glad to be able to
| say that in no respect ST. far have we
been disappointed. 1t is, perhaps. the
highest praise that We can give when
we say that he most thoroughly fills the
| place. and that with his occupancy the
place has constantly grown larger.
I
In the opinion of not few men Of the
| highest character and ability a high
license law will exactly fill the bill.
| Psrflaad Argus
The Argus probably has in mind, in
the above paragraph, the wholesale
liquor agents who captured the las,
Democratic Convention.
|