The Washington times., 1895-01-27

marching hosts had occurred only yesterday
instead OF over thirty long years ago.
In the glow of the log fire the reporter had
good view of John Reilly the recIuse.
He was a weazened old man, with small
twlnkling black eyes. His smooth shayen
and wrinkled face was almost concealed by
the brim OF Il close-fitting cap. His thin form
was enveloped in heavy but we'll worn over
coat. with the collar turned up, while belt
OF rope around his waist kept it snugly about
his form.
II am over seventy years of age" he said,
land never took drink of whisky, chew
oil tobacco, or smoked pipe, and l am as
spry to-day as many men OF forty"
REILLY WAS ONCE IN POWER.
During ths early years OF the war Mr..
Reilly was known as "Gen. Grants floating
commissary," and during the past year or
two he has gained the appellation here of the
Congressional chiropodist."
THAT sign board of mine on the front
door, he said, .'means something rnore than
idle words. Since my stay in Washington l
have removed and cured the corns OF the
wives OF more than twenty Representatives in
Congress and Senators since boyhood l fol-
lowed the muddy Mississippi as boatman
until was knocked out by old age. Yes,
am welded to my war story, because it as
sociates me with some OF the grandest figures
IN American history"
At the commencement of the war Reilly
was commissioned by Gen. Fremont at st.
Louis to organize corps of river marines,
which ne did. They were enlisted for service
during the entire war, and Capt. Reilly was
placed in command OF them and the fast
steamer John d. Perry. On this craft he
carried millions OF dollars worth OF supplies
to Gen. Grants army and depot at Cairo.
and when men were needed Capt. Reilly and
hTC CT oil hon
troops hither and thither on the curying lines
OF the Mississippi.
For his faithiulness and reliability the old
veteran possesses many complimentary letters
from Grant. Fremont and other warriors.
He had many narrow escapes during the
turbulent war times, but always managed to
pull through unscathed Reilly now has q
war claim pending before Congress, he says,
and expects to have it granted during the
present session.
BRoGUE RICH VIII AGE.
Some of his escapades in the Southwest are
OF thrilling interest, especially an experience
he had with Martin Green's guarillas, when
they tried to capture Reilly's steamboat and
river marines.
AS the old man related his life's history in
the ruddy glow of the hearth fire, he ex-
bited Il rare intelligence and appeared 10
feel that having given the best days OF his
life TO the republic, he has ut last become,
from sheer necessity and ingrattude, a her
NIT. buried away from the sight of men under
the crumoling walls Of the old Lennox man
sion.
Reilly is an Irishman. and is proud OF it.
HIS brogue has grown richer through age
and smile broke over his wan features as he
said in reply 10 the reporters question:
'Ies. the boys aud some grown folks here
abouts believe this old building is haunted.
rather encourage the belief because it pre-
vents the boys from stoning my fortress or
coming too near to annoy me. Whenever
go to the door they stand off at a respectable
distance and apparently regard me with
superstitious veneraJion"
In the neighborhood the reporter found
that the lads and lassies stood in mortal fear
of the hermit, who they believe is an associate