The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-19
COME DOWN, MARY ELLEN.

:
about her father and brother or two
being killed in the union army during
her speech here Friday evening. Il ha.
been almost two years since she was
known 70 tell this on the platform. The
last time she told it On the stump was
two years ago in a southern Kansas town
when man arose in the audience and
stated that he had worked as hired man
for Mrs. Leases father back III the Cos,
during the civil war, and that he knew
her family for some time, and that her
father not only was not killed IN the
union army but that he never enlisted IN
the same, but that he stayed at home and
worked his farm. The hired man also
stated she did not have any brothers old
enough to enlist in the army at the close
of the rebellion. The statement made
by the gentlemen who called Mrs. Lease
down on this matter two years ago was
fully substantiated later on by affidavits
which were extensively published. She
must have been little short of campaign
thunde this season il she had to rel.aSh
exploded hash Of 1890 to interest her
hearers. 1t may do for Georgia, but
Kansas people are little more intelli-
gent as rule, even in AtchiSOn.
son Champion, July 10, 1892.
MRS. LEASES OPEN REPLY.
To the editor of the "Atchison Champion"
DEAR SIR: On last Thursday, July s,
| had the honor to speak in your city
and addressed great, intelligent audi
ence for more than two hours on the
living issues Of the day. You have not
attempted to deny an argument or con-
trovart a statement made IN regard to
the political situation, and this is most
fiattering to the principles which adj
vocate, and surely indicative of the fast
failing powers of the forlorn political
party you represent. But evidently
feeling in duty bound to say or do some
thing valiant and with ''Lhe ruling pas
sion strong in DEATH" you accuse me of
falsehood in regard to my soldier father
and brother. l herewith enclose the
name, regiment and companies of each,
that you may by writing to the
adiutant general, assure yourself
of nv veracity. My father
Joseph P. Ciyens, of Ceres, Allegheny
county New York, was private in COM
pany b. 147th New York volunteers, en-
listed | think in May '62. Was taken
prisoner at the second days battle Of the
Wilderness while giving water 10 Gen
eral Wadsworth, who lay dying on the
field; was taken to Saiisberry, n. c.,
afterwards to Audersonvillc, Ga, where
he starved to death the following Aug
ust. If you will write to John Holcomb;
Amin Creek, Mexican county, Pennsyl-
vania, (his fellow prisoner he will tell
you of the dying message sent by that
well loved father to his little children in
their PARKWAY home. He will tell you,
that while he was yet speaking, the
"dead cart rumbled through the yard
and my father while yet breathing was
added to the CHASTITY load, and carried
away.
Ny eldest brother, Patrick Henry
Clyens. not quite II. enlisted in April
81, in the famous "Bucktail regiment
OF Pennsylvania sharpshooters, ne was
shot through the heart while charging
up the bloody slopes of Fredericksburg,
on the morning OF December -, '62. Ii
you have any curiosity i'll regard to him,
/ can show you the testament stained
with his life blood and Mimic rifle
taken from the dead bog on the battle
field by a comrade aud sent to his
mother, also a letter to that mother
from his commander, Colonel Kane, in
which he said, mo drawer soldier ever
faced death"
NV adopted brother Daniel Green ely
ems. in the same regiment and company;
enlisted in the same year; he was among
the "missirg" at the battle of Lockout
mountain. Nv mothers brother, Colonel
James Murray, fell for the flag while
leading his regiment at the battle Of
Gettysburg.
Now, sir. you or any soldier can cor
roborate this statement if true, or refute
it if false. If l have had the temerity TO
blazon falseh cd TO the public, let it be
known. ! will cEeerfuliy paw all ex-
penses for witnesses and affidavits of
those who testify different from the
above. The truth will bear any amount
Of investigation. If on the other hand
you have carelessly and InaHciously as
sailed soldiers daughter and sister,
hose whole life has been a struggle
with poverty because Of that cruel war,
then | call upon every soldier, every @.
A. r. veteran. by that solemn obligation
which ne took ITO defend the widow
ard orphans of his dead comrades" t.
ienounce YOU as a cOwardly falsifier,
beneath the contempt of men and women
and unworthy Il membership II any
political party. Yours for truth,
NARY ELIZABETH LEASE.