New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-29
STRONGS MILITARY TITLE.
HOW THE MAYOR GOT TO BE COLONEL
A LoNG-KEPT SECRET AT LAST REVEALED BY
HIS HONOR HIMsELF-His GORGEOUS AP-
PEARANCE AT A BALL IN C1NC1N

4
PEARANcE AT BALL IN CINcIN-
| MATT FIFTY YEARS AGO
| How Mayor Strong acquired his military title
| has been a subject OF considerable inquiry ever
since he came prominently before the public for
| the place he holds The Mayor has fire.
quently replied to questions the subject by
saying that he did not become Colonel Strong"
through service In the field in the war for the IN
ion: that he did not get the rank by belonging to
a military regiment and that he was not made a
colonel or anything If the kind by the Governor
of NewYork Ohio. any other State. He
has usually contented himself with saying that
his friends began calling him Colonel many years
ago. and before he knew IT his acquaintances
generally were addressing him by that title.
1t was not until Yesterday that the real story
came out. 1t was told by the Mayor himself.
who happened to be In one OF his happiest and
most jocular moods. The facts were narrated
by him after the meeting Of the Armory Board
yesterday. while the members still fingered
about the long table after the business OF the
day was over. Looking over his associates
President Barker. OF the Tax Department; Gen.
eral Coils Commissioner Of Public Works: Gem
eral Fitzgerald. commanding the First Brigade
and Colonel Seward. Of the 9th. the ranking
| regimental COMMUNICATIVE Mayor said:
i
member Of this Board who hasn't a military
title. You ought to have one AS secretary
you do so much of the work that 1t isn't fair
You should get into the military service some
wav."
Mr. Barker replied that he never had any mill
tary aspirations. but the Mayor insisted that
he ought to be a Co'onel something. ana
added:
III 1t doesn't cost you any more to be Colo
mel than it did me. you won't begrudge the
money"
It required little urging to get the Mayo to
tell how he got his title as Colonel
IT'S about fifty years ago" he began. and
was in Cincinnati at the time. we were getting
up the regular annual celebration Of Washing
tons Birthday. AS usual. all the young people
were interested in the reception and BAH that
was 10 take place in the evening. and was on
the committee that had charge OF the arrange
ments. There was a young woman who was the
recognized belle such occasions. and she was
to head the grand march. Her escort was
handsome and gallant young fellow named
Colonel McIlvaine This young lady had ances-
tors who had served in the War of lSl2. ana 10
make the affair impressive as possible 1t had
been decided that the Colonel. her escort, should
appear in the uniform of an officer OF tha' time.
To secure the uniform. the attic OF the ancestral
mansion of the family was ransdchec, anu mn
tary clothing of the illustrious dead was many
discovered in a fair state Of preservation. II
was brought downstairs the dust DfuShed OH,
the wrinkles pressed out and the epauiets ad-
tusted, and the Colonel after he had tired IL on.
was pronounced the most gorgeous thing that
had been seen in that latitude in the military
line.
"Everything was going on swmmngiy when
the Colonel was suddenly taken sick and the
doctors positively forbade his going to the ball.
The Young lady was In despair. bat she q. i no.
give way II. long. She Thought tht "a .f-fl
over and then she insisted that some other young
man must be found to wear the Coioneis UNI
form and be her escort. The Committee OF Ar
rangements poled. and as was OF apout
the size and build that came nearest 20 nt,ihs
into the uniform. was selected TO take the place
Of the sick Colonel.
"Rut when came TO try on the trousers l
found they were much too small. Besides,
other parts OF the uniform did not ADAPT then,,
selves very well TO my shape. ana l nau 10 oa,i
on n tailor TO let out some OF the seams ana
make a number OF alterations. This cost me ten
shillings. and ten shillings In cash tSl - now
adays) weren't picked up easily those Gays.
But | never begrudged the money. The young
lady was very pretty and attractive. and don't
believe that would have hesitated long had the
taors bill been twice as much.
well we went TO the ball on that 22d OF Feb
ruary night and we led the dance. we were
stunning pair. She decked out In evening
dress Of rich material. and sported ribbons
enough 10 start n country store. wore tne uni
form Of that old Colonel OF lSl2 with me
epaulets sword. sash. hightop boots, tassels ana
spurs and a chapeau and plumcs that looked
exactly like General SCOTS in his portrait here
The magnificence OF my appearance must have
formed a lasting impression on the people VINO
went 10 that ball. They began 10 can me
Colonel that night. and the title mas STUCK 10
me since
The Mayor laughed merrily as he ended his
"Reminiscences. and everybody in the Mayors Of
flee laughed with him.