The evening times., 1895-09-04

| There is an interesting character in
Washington, whose story was recalled by
| the Sedan celebration of Monday night. He
| is Louis Francois, Frenchman, who now
| makes his home in a stable Oh II street.
| Francois is a man of noble appearance, but
| his dress is raggcdly artistic and of vari-
| cgated hue.
The most noticeable thing about him is
| his hair. This is OF an iron gray color, and
he keeps it tied up on the top OF his head.
Years ago he says he made a VOW not to
have his hair cut until the laboring masses
were liberated from their bonds, and ali
men were free and equal. Now he has
about n bushel tied up in a red-colored
cloth on the top of his head. The hair,
Judging from the quantity of it, must be
fully eight or nine feet in length.
Francois is a littls off on some things;
but he don't like to talk about the battle
of Sedan. In this bloody fight, Francois
was an advance picket, and was caught
between the lines of battle, as the firing
began. For four hours he lay with the
ballcts whistling, the shot and shell tear
ing up the ground and exploding over and
about him. After all was over, Francois
was found with his fingers buried deep into
the earth and his teeth dug into his lip.
Since that time he has been somew that de-
manted. He is perfectly harmless and his
'ovc for children is pronounced. He finds
odd jobs around the city, but spends most
of his money in doing charitable work.
Another claimant of the honor Of being
the youngest enlisted man in the recent un-
pIeasanincss is Mr.. Joseph F. Hurdle, of
No. 1922 N street northwest. and he has
pretty good evidence of being rightfuIly
entitled to it.
Il saw in one of the localpapers recently"
said Mr.. Hurdle To a Times reporter. ..that
Past Commander Dan Williams, of Lin
coin Post. is believed to be the youngest
soldier. Now, Mr.. williams, according to
the report, was eleven years old when he
took up arms. 1 can go him four years to
the good, for 1 was but seven years of age
when I Joined the cavalry If you want
proof louk at this" and Mr.. Hurdle took
faded paper from his pocketbook. 1t
was his discharge, and the following is
a copy of the document:
Army OF the United States
ITO All Whom II May Concern:
Know ye that Joseph F. Hurdle, pri
vate of Capt. Thompson's company n, of
the Fifth Regiment of Cavalry. who was
enlisted the 1st day of August, 1861, to
serve during the war, is hereby discharged
from the Army of the United States In
consequence OF its interfering with his
scholastic duties.
''Said Joseph F. Hurdle was born in
Washington, in the District of Columbia,
is seven years of age, four feet two inch,<
high, fair complexion, dark eyes, dark
aair, and by occupation when enlisted a
schooIboy.
"Given under nay hand at Washington
this 25th day of October, in the year of
our Lord 1862
''E. J. CANNESBuRG. Colonel
"Charactervery good; very patriotic"
Inquiries are made almost daily IA to
why some general and specific rules are
not Incorporated in the building reguln- I
lations as to tho use; OF smoke consumers. |
II wfn be remembered that when the Wash-
Ingtan q Georgetown power house was
under construction adjacent propefty-own-
ara and tenants fer squares srouna prayed |
md Rsoteatei against the hgildtng beca.se I
q the vast clouds Of snoke WhfeA would 4
b pruduced b tAe ennxmous quantities /
= eosl uasd y wa srgna6 thak tnis /