davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26
you HUSH, OAR.

negro! And, worse than all, he recog-
nized in that towering form, slowly
and steadily walking beat, one
of mis- own slaves! Human nature
could net stand that; the prisoaer
was enraged, furious, and swore
that he would not. Addressing
the guard, through clenched teeth,
foaming at the mouth, he yelled out:
"Sambo!" We'll, Nasal" "Send for
the colonel to come here Immediately.
My own slave can never stand guard
over me. It's d-n outraged No gen.
tleman would submit to it." Laughing
in his sleeve, the dark faced soldier
called out: "Corp1 de guard" That
dignity appeared, and presently the
colonel followed. After listening to
the southerners impassioned harangue,
which was full of invectives, the colonel
turned to the negro with: SAM
Yes, colonel" you know this gen.
tleman. do you?" lob course; he's
Massa B, and has big plantation in
Alabama. We'll, Sam, just take care
of him tonight" and the officer walked
away. AS the sentinel again paced his
beat, the gentleman from Alabama ap-
pealed to him in an argument. Listen,
Sambol" you hush, darl Is done
talking to you now. Hush, rebel"
was the negros emphatic command,
bringing down his musket to a charge
bayonet position by way of enforcing
silence. Am erican Tribune.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26
JACKSON and Early.

Sergt Dick Reid, of the Nashville
police force, followed Stonewall jack
son and the late Gen. Early over the
hills and wales of Virginia during the
war. Reid is u man of great memory,
and tells this: jackson and Early
were the greatest friends, even though
extremely opposite in habits. Jackson
was pious, religious; EARLY, on the
other hand, rather wild fellow, and
an inveterate swearer. He made the
air blue with oaths when things went
wrong. One day jackson and EARLY
sat together on the roadside watching
the heavy artillery go by Some ono
asked the great Stonewall to what he
attributed his fighting success. Don't
know" was the laconic reply; but be-
tween my praying and Early's cussing
we always manage to be on the Lords
side. memphis Commercial
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26

"Come on; let's see." And Lulu and
Fred went to examine the fence.
The old lady sat down on the grass
and smiled at M)llie and Nellie.
"I'm very tired, children" she said, /,
apologeticallv. She held little bunch
of lilacs and syringas, which she laid
down in her lap
The children smiled back at her
sympathizingly.
II try to come to his grave every
year." the old lady continued. My
boy, you know, he was killed in the
war"
"a soldierl" the children said under
their breaths.
"Yes, soldier, and brave one, too,
even if it is his mother who says it. lie
was only eighteen. He enlisted younger
than they meant to take them, but he
was large and full grown and he was
wild to go. Oh, those were terrible
times, back in -terrible!-terriblel
and n tear trickled down the old lady's
cheek.
I'VE always intended to have stone
with mis- name and the company to
which he belonged, and Died in de-
fense of his country at Vicksburg'-but
stones used to cost more than they do
now, and then fifteen years ago we
moved away, and after that we didn't
seem to have good luck. joint that's
my husband-and l used to come here
every year to Roberts grave; till eight
years ago John died, and I've been
coming alone ever since"
The children were silent, and Nellie
was wiping her eyes on the corner of
her checked apron. Finally Mollie
asked, softly:
DO you live far from here?"
"Yes, it's days journey, and I'm
getting so old and so lame that each
year I'm afraid l won't be able to come
the next"
Just then Fred and Lulu came back.
"Oh, we've found splendid place to
get in. Come on!" they cried.
Nellie helped the old lady to her feet
and kept at her side, while Mollie led
the way with Fred and Lulu. She told
them softly all about the old lady's boy
soldier.
They helped her carefully through
the fence where Fred had pulled out
! Illo plChtIS, anu Ilicu lOllOWcu HeT
slowly down the soft green paths, be-
tween graves covered with myrtle and
star-lilse, blue flowers. She brought
them into forsaken corner to a grave
covered with rose briars and hidden
under last years dead leaves. Then
she sank down and said, piteously:
"I'll have to rest"
Nellie got down on her knees and be-
gan scraping away the leaves with her
fingers, and the other children followed
her example.
The old lady sat watching them with
the tears trickling down her cheeks,
Saturday morning I'll bring over
the rake, and these rose bushes need
trimming" Fred said, with a business
like air.
Moilie slipped her hand into the old
lady's as she rose to her feet.
do you like pinlSs?" she whispered.
'I'll bring root over and plant on his
grave"
They were his favorite flower" the
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26
old lady said. with a little choke in her

old lady said, with little choke in her
voice.
"There now," said Nellie, 1--WE made
nice place for the flowers. of course
you'll want to put them on his grave
your own self"
AS she knelt over the grave with the
flowers Nellie whispered to the others:
Don't you think we ought to go and
leave her alone with him?"
And even Fred nodded Yes"
She seemed to have forgotten all
about them until Nellie whispered:
We're going now, ma'am. Good-by!
And we'll bring some water for the
flowers tomorrow and Fred will fix the
lot all up"
The old lady clasped her hands as ii
she were praying:
"Good-by, children! God bless you
l shall never forget all your kindness!
"Good-by" and they stole softly and
reverently back through the fence.
Have to leave 'em out till to-mor-
| row." Fred said. looking at the pickets.
They talked it over and over on the
way home, and they made plan, but
they didn't tell soul about it until
Decoration day, so I'm not going to-
either.
They met ON Saturday and rehearse6
for the celebration and Fred didn't
mention the fact that he was up al
four o'clock and had been raking and
putting a certain lot to rights all the
morning.
Decoration day came bright ant
beautiful. The sky smiled down al
blue as the myrtle blossoms 1t seemed
as II everything was conspiring t'
make the day success Hon. Horatie
Bigelow came on the morning trair
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26

you to tell that story over again, just
as you have been telling it to me-" and
before she knew it he had lifted her
onto the front seat of the deacon's
double carriage that was waiting in the
driveway to carry back the veterans"
and she was telling the story over again.
When she stopped there was not a
dry eye in the crowd
Esquire Tonnley was wiping his eyes
with a big red bandanna and saying to
Deacon Miles "that he remembered as
distinctly as if it was yesterday. 1t
was John Aliens boy Robert-as good
lad as ever lived"
Then Hon. Horatio Bigelow's clear
voice rang out:
"Fellow citizens! Brothers! Patriotsl
I Your faces tell me that you are deeply
touched with this little story. You are
grateful to these little children who
have saved one of your heroes from
neglect to-day. You weep with the
widowed mother whose fond ambition
to raise stone to her son has not been
gratified. Let me tell you-do some
thing more than weep-raise the monu-
ment for her. Make the widow happy
and do honor to her boy hero!"
Hero the speakers words were
drowned in wild applause, and the band
broke into "The Star Spangled Ban.
ner" In the midst of it all Nellie
found herself in the crowd with Hon.
Horatio Bigelow's silk hat in her
hands, and men and women, young
folks and children were doing their
best to fill it, raining in bills silver
and small change.
That was several years ago. The old
lady still lives and is able to come on
her annual pilgrimage to her boys
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26
APPROPRIATE CELEBRATION.

Tho Educative Influence of Decorating
the Graves of Buried Heroes.
1t has frequently been limited, by
some, that if the money expended on
flowers to decorate the soldiers graves
was used to supply the widow and
orphan with food and raiment, it would
be commendable. Granted, but how
then would the memory of the brave
men who gave their lives in defense Of
country be kept fresh and green in the
hearts of our children? 1t is betitting
the families of the dead heroes should
be cared for, and we do not believe the
government is neglectful of its duty,
but if that were all, if all thought or
honor to the dead soldiers end ed there,
what an unfeeling, migrate full nation
this would be. Every beat of the drum,
every note of the bugle, every column
of soldiers on Decoration day, every
grass-grown mound in the soldiers plot
in the cemetery, stirs the heart and
brings vividly back to mind that time
of great peril when noble men re-
sponded so promptly ut the call of
country when right and wrong were
struggling for the mastery.
Those were sad, dreary days, many
hearthstones were desolated, and many
returned from the field of battle bear
ing scars which lifetime will not eff
face. But think you that either the
soldier who fell in battle, or the scar
marked veteran who marched so proud
ly home to the music of victory, would
regret the part he took in SO noble q
l,
their sons if any danger threatened
this dear land again, to follow in the
same footsteps and with their lives if
need'be conquer the evil that assailed it?
1t is we'll, then, if for no other rea-
son than to teach lessons of patriotism
to our young people, to perpetuate the
heroism of our dead soldiers by dec
Grating their graves, friend and foe
alike, for now the blue and the gray
are not looking upon each other as
enemies, but as brothers of common
race, both strong and valiant. We re-
joice that the north nd the south
draw nearer together as each Memor-
ial day comes round. The breach that
was so wide half century ago lessons
each year, and who shall say the beau
tiful flowers with which both sides are
| remem bered are not the heaven-sent
messengers which are quelling the
heart strife and discord and bringing
peace to all?
And what of those honored graves in
lonely places, unknown, unmarked,
where the silent sleepers rest as tran
GULLY but where the tread of martial
| feet or the sound of martial music never
comes, and where garlands are never
strewn by loving hands? All! the stars
are their sentinels, the winds chant
the requiem. Nature does not forget
them, her hand strews the star
| eyed daisies and sprinlSles the clods
with green grasses, and heaven waters
| them with it's dew.
God grant that there may be no more
war, that sighs and tears for the faller
upon the battle field may never agair
be heard in our land, and God grant
too. that while life lasts our heart:
may be kept tender, and that eacf
Memorial day we may drop a tear anc
a flower upon the graves of our departed
soldiers. at Work.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26
AN INDIGNANT PRISONER.

He Objected tc Being Under the Charge
of n Negro.
A certain wealthy old planter, used
to govern precinct in Alabama in a
skirmish was taken prisoner, and at
late hour brought into camp where
guard was placed over him. The
aristocratic confederate supposing
everything was all right-that he was
secure anyway as a prisoner of war
as a committee of the whole resolved
himself into sleeps dead slumber."
Awaking about midnight, to find the
moon shining full into his face, he
chanced to inspect his guard" when,
horror of horrors, that soldier was
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26

and Deacon Miles brought him over
from the station in his buggy. He and
the minister were going to head the
procession in Esquire Tonnley's best
phaeton.
At ten o'clock to the minute they
started. They were followed by the
squire's gray team and the deacon's
double carriage, with the four "old
veterans" that Cranes Corners pos
sessed Oh, dear mel / forgot the
band That headed the procession, of
course, and it did credit to all of its
practicing, tool After the veterans
came the citizens in line, and last, but
not least by any means, the girls and
boys, laden down with flags and
flowers.
The exercises opened with prayer
from Rev. MIR Doolittle, pastor of the
brick church, and then Hon. Horatio
Bigelow made speech that added
luster to his already famous reputa-
tion-to this day the Cranes Corners
folks speak of him in the same tone of
awe-struck admiration that they use
in speaking of Daniel Webster and
Gladstone. Then the band burst forth
into my Country, 'Tis of Thee" and
the procession began to move.
There weren't very many soldiers
buried in the Cranes Corners burying
ground. There were Squire Tonnley's
two boys who were shot at Bull Run.
There was a large monument put up to
their memory-the largest in the ceme-
terry. The procession marched to that
first. The band played softly: "Tent-
ing Tonight" while the children laid
a wreath on each grave and the boys
planted their flags. During the cere-
mony all heads were uncovered and at
it's close Hon. Horatio Bigelow made
some appropriate remarks.
Then the procession moved on to an
other grave and another, even stopping
at old Mr. Deans grave, who ruined
his health in the war, but lived to n
good old age, and died a peaceful death
many years after it was over. That
was the last grave-the last that had
been marked for the children to visit.
Nellie Dent and Fred Ashley We're at
the head of the column. Nellie still
carried beautiful bouquet and wreath
over her arm. Fred still held his flag.
They turned out of the broad drive
way, down into the side path and all
the rest of the procession followed
them. The paths were too narrow for
any body to keep step with anybody,
but they followed just the same until
Fred and Nellie stopped at their sol
dier's grave.
Hon. Horatio Bigelow looked in vain
at Squire Tonnley for a hint toward an
appropriate word over the grave in this
far away corner. Esquire Tonnley
looked back at him with blank face.
He did not kn ow who was buried there.
Hon. Horatio Bigelow decided to
take matters into his own hands, and
made way for himself through the
crowd up to Nellie and Fred.
"Was this soldier relative of yours?"
he asked, softly, as he saw the tears in
Nellie's eyes.
Then Nellie poured the whole story
into this great mans ears. He listened
| to it with close attention.
Don't be afraid" he said 81 want
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26
GEN. sLoouM AS ICON" MAN
Came Near Being Arrested with Gen.
McMahon for Being Too Soclable.

Came Near Being Arrested with Gen.
McMahon for Being Too SocIabls.
How near Gen. Slocum came once to
arrest as u common swindler will bear
telling, for nobody enjoyed the Incl
dent in recollection better than he did.
He and Gen. Mcmahon were or -aeir
way home to New York from an in
spection of the soldiers home at Day
ton, o., and stopped at Philadelphia
for breakfast. While waiting at the
station for the signal to board their
special car Mcmahon observed a man
whom he recognized as an acquaint-
ance, and, being of a social turn, APP
preached him and shook hands cordial
ly, saying:
How do you do, Mr.. -"
Bradford" obligingly interjected
the stranger.
"of New York, if l remember?" con-
tinued Mcmahon, affably.
"No, of Bryn Mawr," responded the
stranger.
"Ah, yes-Bryn Mawr. ] had for.
gotten. Glad to see you. When did
you get to town?"
just then Slocum came up, He had
CuugHU tilc anu IcCciicClSu a
Bradford who, had served in his COM
mand during the war. why, hello"
ne exclaimed with effusion. Delighted
to see you. My name is Slocum. You're
Bradford, of Bryn Mawr. Knew you
we'll during the war. 1T isn't possible
you've forgotten me?"
Bradford meanwhile had edged to-
ward a policeman IN the depot II
can't say, Mr.. Slocum, that remember
you or your friend" said he, ''and
don't propose to join you in any kind
of game this morning. The fact is,
knew you both to be confidence OPP
orators from the first moment saw
YOU" The policeman, who had evidently
Caught on" made grab for the two
generals, who made simultaneous
rush for the special car. 1t was just
about moving off. As they scrambled
on board the policeman dashed for the
telegraph office; but the car made no
stop within the jurisdiction of the
Philadelphia police and the fugitives
esca ped. Kate Fields Washington.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26

school around by the cemetery that
night The teacher had been telling
them that afternoon that all the ar
rangements were made to have a
big celebration Decoration day. 1t
never had been celebrated at Cranes
Corners before, but when the Cranes
Corners folks undertook to do a
thing they did it 'up brown" Es-
quire Tonnley and Deacon Miles had
been up to the city and engaged great
orator-oh! a wonderful man!-to come
and make the speech. And the Cranes
Corners band and the band from
East Milbank met twice week In tn"
old brick Westinghouse and practiced
till their lips were sore and their
arms ached. And now the school
trustees had decided that after the
bands and the orator and the few old
veterans, and the citizens who would
join in the parade, the children should
march in line The girls We're all to be
dressed in white with blue sashes, and
to carry bouquets, and the boys were
to carry flags for the soldiers graves
The graves We're all to be marked be-
forehapd, and after the orator had
spoken the band was to strike up some
real stirring war tune and the children
were to march up the narrow, grassy
walks and on each soldiers grave the
girls were to leave bouquet and the
boys to plant flag.
After school was out they all walked
together as far as the corner. and the
teacher told them they would meet
and go over it all together Saturday
afternoon, for Decoration day was only
next Tuesday and it would be awful
not to have everything go just right.
Then she went into the house where
she boarded, and the most of the chill
dren said goodnight and turned down
the west road toward home There
were just ,Mollie and Nellie Dent and
Lulu and Fred Ashley who kept on
straight up the road. Say" Lulu
said, when they were by themselves,
sit wouldn't be but little out of the
way to go round by the cemetery.
Let's CO."
"All right" the other girls said, and
Fred suid he'd just as soon So they
went on, the longest way round, till
they came to the dear old-fashioneo
cemetery. 1t was surrounded by 6
high board fence, painted white, like
the tombstones peeping over it. You
could catch a glimpse of graceful will
lows and matted rose bushes between
the pickets. At the front the big white
gates were fastened with paddock
and the steps that usually served tc
scale the fence had been carried away
to be painted in order to present {
more creditable appearance at the ccle
bration.
As the children stood wondering how
they could most easily get in nea
little old lady came round the corner
of the churchyard and Joined them
She stopped and looked when she saw
the steps were gone. The children
noticed she carried crutch and wa
lame.
"How can get inP" she asked, ap
pealingly.
The children looked at her and theI
at one another
"Oh, say. Lu," Fred began, suddenly
don't you remember there used to b
some loose pickets over on the othe
side? Maybe can take them out, AM
we can all get through In that way"
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26

power. Mentally he was stryng and
full of resources He was unassuming
and had many traits of true nobility.
Peace to the memory of the gallant old
soldier and true-hearted citizen. Like
Gen. Thomas, he was Virginian by
birth, and loyal to the core. Maj. II.
B. Connolly, in National Tribune
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
THE BOYS IN GRAY.

Twas more than three decades ago
long, long time away
That wo we're jolly boys in blue.
Now we are boys IN gray.
A poet friend has said Of you:
Hes on the craft that sails
In glowing seas of cons tant youth,
Where boyhood never fails"
So at the end of many years
Along llfe's rugged way
The blue has mingled with the skies
And we are boys in gray.
The true and brave OF all the hosts
That wore the blue and gray,
And fought for what they deemed the
right
Are done with war to-day.
The rosy, roundlimbed queen OF peace
Has broken wars array,
His hosts, disarmed, are silver-haired,
And all are boys in gray.
VIII l. Visscher, in Tacoma Morning Union.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26

thought twas some old man. But here
Furgct I'd been away ten year
/ had to come, Joe. Hd,S 20 come
! Fur one more Thirtieth o. May,
To see the boys md help 'em some
In keepin' Decoration day.
But whar ye bound fur this time, Joef
TO set the fagsl Wen both on's go
Nd mark the end o. the march that's done,
ND call the roll o. the boys that's gone.
Say, joe you m me have come so near
Tho still place where
They're cnmped, that we can almost hear
EN- answer their names from over There!
There's lest ten graves. r'member m all -
Ten men that's answered detail call,
Five flags fur me, nd five fur you.
What's all the rest fur? Ten'll do
'Nd whnr's the rest of the boys to.dayf
There should be twelve on's countin' you
I hope they amt took to stayin' awayf
That amt the way they uster dol
'Tain't right They oil had orter como
10 mark the graves fur Morris day,
No matter 4 work Is pushin' some
why joel You're cryin'i What ails ye, Joe,
What's hdtf Good Lordl That can't be sol
All dead but usH Why, Joe-but thar,
That CO uldnt be, outside O. war
Did fall in battlel Yes-you're right
we've all Deen In q long, nara ngnL
They fell in battle. Yes, that's sol
ND that's the way Deue got to 60
An Joe, I'll bet
Not one o. them boys ever let
The colors outen is sight
Well Joe, we've got these flags to set
Here's ten fur me nd ten you keep.
Theirs two O. us is walliin' yet
To stan guard over them that sleepl
But which OF us two, Joe, dye s'pose
Will set the flag fur the next that goes.
James G. Purdv, in Kate Fields Washing ton.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-26

HEY never would
ave had any
S o l d i e + o r
known a thing
a b o u t him if
tn e Y had d n t
come home from