The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1892-04-09
MADE. BY A WHIPPING.
An Unpublished Incident in the
Il Life Of Gov. Carlin.

The Severe But Beneficial Treatment Re.
ceived by the Old-Time Illinois
States man for Playing the
Psrt of q Bully.
A few days ago an incident in the life
Of Gov. Carlin came to light which has
never vet found it's way into print,
which is undoubtedly true, and which
illustrates most forcibly the greatness
of the man. John c. Reeves, the re-
ceiyer of the land office at Shawnee
town, was sent to Edwardsville to take
temporary charge of the office there.
Reeves. says the Chicago Tribune, was
powerfully muscular man, over six
feet tall. an athlete and ''sure shot. ;"
A college graduate, he had been sent
west to take charge of the Shawnee
town land office, but spent much OF bis
time in supervising other offices and
disentangling the affairs when compli-
cations caused by inefficient officers
arose. He was quiet and reserved, yet
withal a genial companion when once
he became we'll acquainted. He board
ed at the ':tavern," but spent nearly all
of his time when not eating or sleeping
in the Office, SO that he made few ac-
quaintances in the town. One evening
he went to supper, and upon entering
the Office (barroom it was then called)
he noticed sitting in a chair
small-sized man, who would
not weigh more than one hum
dred and twenty-five pounds, and
who apparently was sick. In a
few moments the door opened and in
stalked.a man fully as large and mus
cular as Reeves. He looked around the
room moment, then went up to the
sick man, who was a stranger to him,
made some remark and closed by slap
ping him in the face with his open hand,
but in such violent manner as to
knock him off of the chair. AS the in
valid arose. Mr.. Reeves expostulated
with the assailant, who at once in
formed him that it he did not like it he
''could have some of the same medi-
cine The words were scarcely out of
his mouth when Reeves, with one
bound, jumped from his chair and dealt
the man blow in the face that sent
him sprawling over a chair and on to
the floor; he followed up the blow by
jumping on the PROSTATE form OF the
man and raining blows upon his face
with almost Hghtning-like rapidity.
The noise brought the landlord and one
or two others to the scene, who, by
main strength, pulled Reeves from his
victim. The latter arose., looked around,
and staggered out. Then there was
such CONSERVATION as had not been
known in Edwardsville for long time.
Mr.. Reeves was informed that the man
he had assaulted was none other, than.
Tom Carlin, the recognized 'bully" of
all that county, a man of whom all per-
sons were afraid, though all admitted
that when sober he was a good citizen.
Mr.. Reeves did not seem to be at all
alarmed, but went about his business
as usual.
The evening of the third day, while
he was alone in his ofAce, in walked. a.
man with bruised and bandaged face,
who looked very much as though he
had been in cyclone. "Are you Mr..
Reeves" he asked. Eyes, that is my
name: what can l do for you?" my
names Tom Carlin. Pm the fellow you
whipped at the tavern the other night,
and l came in to say that you done
right; I was a coward to knock that
sick man over, and deserved all got.
Il am very glad that you feel that way
about it, replied Reeves. ''Well. do,
and Pm in earnest. Now, say, I've
been bully just as long as l want to
be; want to learn to read and write
and cipher and try to make man of
myself, and want you to help me if
you will Mr.. Reeves expressed not
only his willingness, but also the pleas
ure it would give him to teach Carlin
while he remained in Edwards
Vile Every night Carlin was on
hand, and he was a most apt
pupil. Reeves, however, did not remain
long, but soon after he left Carlin mar
ried woman who was quite we'll edu-
Gated, and he pursued his studies under
her tuition. 1t was no easy matter for
him to break away from the compan-
ions with whom he had so long associ-
ated, but he he'd the moral courage to
dose, and removed to Greene county.
He was the first sheriff of that county,
and located it's present county seat and
donated considerable land for public
purposes. He was twice elected to the
state senate, and 1888 was elected as
the sixth governor of the state. 1t is
said he always regarded Reeves as one
of his best friends, and, as sheriff, SEN
ator and governor, frequently consulted
him as to private and public affairs.
Experience with Death.
Fernleigh l.. Montague, the English
artist who killed his wife and himself
in Washington few days ago because
he could not sell his pictures, had once
before serious experience with death.
He ran away to America when young
man to escape the apprenticeship to a
barrister to which he had been bound |
by his father A short time afterward
body was found floating in the
Thames and was buried as5his. He did !
not learn of this fact till twelve years