Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-09-10
ONE SURVIVOR OF 1872,
OLD MICHAEL FRITZ WHO
FOUGHT THE RED COATS.
All His Comrades in the state Have
Passed Away-For seventy Ycars
His Life Has Been simple
tncVcntful One.

His Life Has Been simple
Uncvcntful One.
The hand OF death has been busy of
late years among the ranks of surviv-
ing veterans Of the war of 1912. So
busy in fact that there is but one Of
the patriots now drawing pension in
the state of Pennsylvania His name
Is Michael Fritz, and he is living in
apparent good health at Friedensburg,
Schuylkill county. although tho great
burden OF "a years does not rest light
ly on the old mans shoulders.
At a dinner giveE in Philadelphia
ten years ago says the Phila. Times.
there were present six veterans OF the
war of 1912. These were Zalina Lud-
dington. Thomas Darrah. John Still
man, Henry Earick, Jacob Frink and
Peter Hay. A cordial invitation was
also sent to Michael Fritz, but the old
man declined on the grounds OF poor
health. and in long letter stated that
he did not expect to survive the rigors
OF another winter. At the dinner
Peter Hay said that he had hoped to
see together all the surviving Pennsyl-
vaniaHs who had battlei against
British oppression III the war OF 1912;
but as his old comrades and personal
friend, Michael Fritz, had arrived al
most at the brink of the grave, 1t
would be fitting that his health be
drank in the old fashioned way. At
this tho half dozen old soldiers. with
heads uncovered, arose ana silently
drank to him.
OF the six who clinked glasses sor-
rowfully for departing comrade not
one is alive. Michael Fritz lived to
send letters of sympathy to the de-
scendants of his old comrades and in
an interview recently said he ex-
| pected to round out the full century OF
his existence. The old man told his
story clearly without difficulty, except
when interrupted by q distressing
cough which ho explained had been
troubling him for twenty-five years
'My life has been simple one,"
said he land for the past seventy
years there has been nothing worth
relating. l was born in this country
in 1897, and at the age OF fifteen was
| apprenticed to a tanner whose name
was Ulrick Unsidel. He died about
sixty years ago. My master was a
genuine patriot He was n cripple
and could not 60 to the war himself,
so he raised f200 and paid it to my
parents in order to gain their consent
to my going. TO my great delight I
was allowed to go in 1878. and Just at
u time when men were needed. How
ever didn't do much fighting until
! August 1914. Then the fun began"
| For few minutes the old man
closed his eyes, leaned back in his
chair and gave himself up to retro
spection. After muttering to himself
he took up the thread of his story
again in stirring tone of voice.
You remember the time when Cen
eral Ross, the red-coat fighter, marched
on to destroy Washington. He was
met by the Americans ut Bradenburg.
and was one of the Americans. We
fought hard, but the marines who were
helping us didn't do so we'll, and we
We're fairly whipped. Ross then
marched into Washington and de-
stroyed it. can remember with what
rage the soldiers heard that their
capital had been destroyed and how
anxious we all were to wipo out the
insult. The opportunity came shortly
after, when General Ross with his army
and fleet moved toward Baltimore.
We met him at North Point, about
half way to Baltimore, with ten thou
sand men, under General Samuel Smith,
who was revolutionary veteran.
What a whipping that British army
did get! We skirmished at North
Point. and two lads from my company
climbed tree and shot General Ross
as he was passing. We made bold
stand outside of the city and whipped
the red coats fairly. They tried to
lombard Fort McHenry and capture it,
but they couldn't do it. and then the
siege of Baltimore ended.
That was the time when Francis
Key composed the Star Spangled
Banner He was confined in British
gunboat, and during tho night the
flash OF cannon made it possible for
the flag to be seen flying over Fort
McHenry. For twenty years that song
was a perfect craze. Well, after peace
had been declared went back home
and finished my trade. Then l got
married, and my life has been sim.
pie one ever since. My wife died three
years ago, and I've been lonely enough
since then, but my children are good,
and God is good. and I've nothing to
complain Of"