Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-09-01

PORTLAND, Me. Aug. &c. ls92.-If
YOU should ask any Portland man the
question: Tho Is the most popular man
10 this city," there l. not the least donb,
that he would unhcsitatlngly reply 1T
is an even thing between Gen. Henry d.
Cleaves, the Republican candidate for
Governor Of this state, snd Payson Tucker
general manager OF the Maine Central rail
road system.
Gen. Clesyes Is loved and respected by
members OF both parties, the rich and poor
alike. and especially the veterans Of the
war.
He las been laborer. 4 student. sol
der, al attorney and a leader among men
He Il ~ years Of age, with a commanding
presence, being over six feet 10 height
He Is a. straight as the pines OF his native
state, with bearing that Immediately
suggests the soldier. but with heart re-
p!ete with kindness and charity 10 all-the
most blessed Of charity, that which is not
proclaimed to the public.
ON the eastern promenade in this city
there stands monument commemorative
Of the first settler In the town of Fall
mouth, of which Portland was formerly
portion. The first settler was \ Cieaves,
and TO him can be traced the ancestry OF
the future chief executive Of the Pine Tree
state.
4 Gen Cleaves l. member Of the law
Grim % Nathan i Henry Il. Cleaves one OF
the best known in the east The brothers
differ radically in politics Nathan Is
/ Democrat and judge, and has been for
many years the surveyor of the port Of
I Portland and Falmouth,
Both Judge and Gen. ClrAyt~ are bach
elurs, aud make their winter home az tile
Falmouth Hotel. In the summer they re-
side Al ChebeAgue island, where they have
landed interests. They enter into society
but little, except AZ their clubs. the Gener-
81 being prominent member, and al one
4 time president OF the Portland club. The
J foremost Republican club Of Maine, which
has imposing winter quarters on Congress
street in this city and summer club-houses
Al Delano Park, Cape Elizabeth, and a,
Great Diamond island. Judge Clesves Is
prominent member OF the Falmouth club,
Gen tleaves was born in Bridgton. and
was educated IN the common schools Of
4 his native town and at the local academy.
I During the summers he worked upon the
ne!ghboring farms to secure funds TO en-
able him to attend the school In winter.
7 He was farmers boy when. in 1862 as
private, he enlisted In company b Of the
23d Maine volunteers, Il regiment raised BY
Col. william Writ Virgin, now Judge Vir-
gin. He became an orderly sergeant. and
soon afterward was appointed lieutenant
when his captain was killed In scton.
Lieut.. Cleayes participated in many of the
great battles of the war, and for bravery
| in battle Was offered q commission in the
regular army by Secretary Stanton.
A the close OF the war he returned to
Brdgton and worked in factory as a sash
and blind manufacturer. In 1865 he be-
gan the study of law. He WAS admitted
to the bar and practiced in Bath. After
being In that city for year. or more, he,
with his brother. removed to Portland. In
! lo16-i1 he was member of thes Leg isis
ture, and was chairman of the judiciary
committee. In 1877 he was elected city
solicitor In 1850 he WAS elected attorney
| general for the state, and was twice re-
| elected, serving five years. He was instru-
I mental in securing the passage of new
tax act relative to the taxation Of railroad
and telegraph companies. The taxes We're
( duly assessed against these corporations,
the railroads refused to pay, and suits
were brought Gen. Cleaves won every
case, and 500, 900 was paid into the state
| treasury as a result of the litigation. Dur
/ ing his occupancy OF the Office of attorney
general, he prosecuted Is murder cases,
| and majority OF the culprits are now
! serving life sentences at Thomaston.
Gen. Cleayes is prominent member OF
the Grand Army and can have any Office
within its gift. |, Is said that Gen
| Cleaves never would accept a cent for le-
| gal services rendered fellow soldier, and
the writer recollects one of the most elo-
quent pleas ever hesrd in Maine court
when Gen. Clesves pleaded for the life of
a one-legged veteran. His name was
William T. Best and he served in the
American navy, where he lost his leg. In
| October, 1888, he had a controversy with
| NJ. Baston on the island of Campobello
1t was on July 4, aud as was his custom
| Best hoisted the stars and stripes lie
was told to remove the flag or he would be
/ mobbed. An alteration arose and Best
was brutality maltreated. He shot at his
| tormentors. wonnding Baston in the face
| He escaped In an open boat while those on
! shore poured yolley after volley at him
| He reached the Maine shore unscathed
| followed by Bastons father aud brother
| who kept up constant fusilade, aud Best
standing in the stern Of the boat, returned
shot for shot, using small revolver.
| Extradition proceedings were resorted
| to, and Best was arrested and was ar
| raigned before Judge Webb Of the United
| States circuit court in Portland. The
| Eastport g. A. X. post retained Gen.
Cleaves for the defence, while the Can
adian government sent able barristers.
Canadian officers came here to take Best
back. Gen. Cleaves claimed and argued
that the warrant issued by Secretary Bay
ard at Washington was illegal and that 40
| authority existed under the treaty for the
surrender of the body of Best.
Judge Webb discharged Best after pro-
tracted hearing and Gen. Cleaves sent back
q receipted bill saying The was soldier"
Gen. Cleaves is an orator. but his extern
sive law practice allows him to accept but
| few OF the many Invitations that reach his
Office every week.
His retiring disposition forbids his &C.
cepting offers that would make him we'll