The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-21

autnorlty under our state regulations the
United States army regulations together
with permission mentioned above given
me at that time, in wearing my uniform.
MR. MCOOK AS A COLONEL.
The only person among the Americans
present who Wore an unauthorized uni
form at the coronation was your brother.
M. John ]. McCook. who did so when he
of the Sixth United States cavalry, when
the highest rank he is entitled to- by
reason of his very brief service during
the civil war, is that of a brevet captain
as shown by the records of the war de-
partment, and who, while in no wise con-
nected with the United States army or
the national guard of any state, was there
uDo- your staff by your own verbal ap-
pointment.
You also have commented upon the
fact that l wore badges and insignia. be-
longing to my father which you know is
a lie. as you took occasion to both in
spect and question me in regard 10 them,
and then and there expressed yourself a s
satisfied that was entitled to wear every
one of them.
1t is true did not receive them for any
record which 1 personally made by par
ticiDating in the battles of the late war.
such as Stone River or Perryville, but l
have them by reason of being a member
or the patriotic societies which commeIn-
o-ete the wars OF our country. and be-
cause some member of my family made
an honorable record in the defense of his
had since the foundation of the nation,
and this is the first instance l have ever
heard of where ridicule has been called
down uDon anyone on account of their
showing their loyalty and patriotism by
one who has worn the uniform OF the
United States army, and If 1t comes 70 the
time when 1 must feel ashamed of the
fact that my ancestors gave up their lives
for their country, then, indeed, are the
insignia of our patriotic societies nothing
but baggage checks and their useful
ness at an end.
THE LOGANS AND THE MCOOKS. {,
I remember that hanging at home is a
coat that my father wore al the battle of
are dark red stains. Do you know what
those stains are? / will tell you. They
are the life blood of Charles McCook. your
brother, whom father aided, carrying
from the field OF battle. dying in his arms.
There is a grave out in Dakota You know
it as we'll as l. Ed McCook sleeps there.
AS boy, in 1851, he went to the front,
an officer of the Thirty-first Illinois vol
made so by the colonel, who
looked upon him as son. l hardly need
tell you that the name of that colonel
was John A. Logan, or that they served
together for four years, advancing to-
me to tell you that General Grant ap-
pointed Ed McCook secretary of the ter
litory of Dakota at the personal request
Of the same John A. Logan.
There was lone woman in Washington
% years ago, in poverty and distress. My
father assisted her continually. He also
obtained an appointment for her son In !
the regular army. Her name was Mrs !
your sister. In 1858. when your |
father came to southern Illinois as the |
agent of the Mount Carbon Coal COM |
eany, he appealed to my father for as
sistance which was freely and cheerfully /
given him, and he made his home in the 4
house of my grandmother. From 1853 to |
Ike day of his death, John A. Logan be- |
,riended and assisted the McCcoks, and |
heir calls upon him for assistance were
numerous.
A RETRACTION DEMANDED.
I think the lighting McCooks' must
LII have been killed, for they were brave
nen and loyal. and when l find two mem
,e-s of the family insulting the white
haired widow ana circulating malicious
les and making cowardly, underhanded
newspaper attacks upon the son OF the
nan who befriended them times without
lumber l know these two members or
ne McCook family to be those, one OF
whom was relieved of his command in the
ace of the enemy for disobedience OF or
ers. and the other resigned and went
lome upon the eve of a campaign. AS
ong as you and your brother have seen
il TO try 10 hold me up TO ridicule by
Malicious lies, you can either give an
quail publicity TO a denial and retraction
f the story, placing me in a proper light
efore the American people, or shall
old you personally responsible and take
UGH action as see fit. Respectfully,
JOHN A. LOGAN, JR.