Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-27
A BALKY COMPASS
mIsguides Robert DoneIIy, An Old
Soldier--He Was Wrecked
BY Strong Drink-rhe Career Of the unluciy
Veteran.

While cowboy upon the plains OF
the wild West Robert Donelly carried
small compass and sun dial and i;
always directed him in the right di-
rection when he was in doubt
Tuesday he had the same COM
pass in his pocket but it failed to lead
him in the right way. the result being
that after wandering about in the
mazes of this mighty city. for several
hours, he landed in the police station
with his feet and mind in a homeless
tangle.
The next morning, as he is an old
soldier, he was allowed to depart with
the understanding that he was to
leave the city and all of it's wickedness
behind him at once. He left the court
room evidently a wiser man, but again
the compass did not do its work pro-
perly and in his endeavors to find a
way out of town he ran up against q
bottle of that beverage known as
split from which he partook in hopes
of finding solace and ere night he was
back again to the place from whence
he had started in the morning.
The next morning Judge Andrews de-
cided that Mr.. Donelly was not capable
of looking out for himself so he was
given 80 days in the county JAIL
In the afternoon a Journal reporter
hearing that Mr.. Dorellys life had
been an adventurous one called upon
him at his apartments in the county
boarding house and more hospitab!e
reception could not be imagined-Mr.
Donelly evidently being a good judge OF
he sees one, for he worked the report +
for a supply of tobacco.
The Mr.. Donelly of today is hardly
the same healthy person as the CHEEKY
little Irish lad who came to this cOun
try with his parents 81 years ago, then
but six years of age, and settled at
Machias. The little boy was CHEEKY
and healthy, the man is cherry enough
but he is sample of what rum will dc
to one who hasn't the strength of will
to resist it.
His career has been a checkered one
and one which he advises all young
men to avoid.
He has seen war in all it's phases
having volunteered three times during
the Civil War and passed II years in
the West as COW boy where
he had experience in the line OF
Indian fighting. mo man should
go to the West" said Mr.. Don
ely, ito work if he is a drinking mar
for although the wages paid are some
times enormous, he will not have any
more at the end of a year than hi
would if he stayed here and worked TO,
less. The boys will get months pay
and ride into the nearest town where
they will camp upon the square or somt
convenient place and there they will
stay and drink and gamble until theil
money is gone, then back to their worl
again until more money is earned t.
have another spree"
His accounts of some of engagement:
| with the Indians are thrilling and HI
| told of many engagements about whic!
the public are we'll posted.
| Did you ever kill an indiana" the re
porter asked.
"Oh bless you, don't know" he re
piled, Il suppose so, for we never fire.
at them for fun; but never had hant
to hand encounter"
One proof of the fact that he was ;
soldier Mr.. Donelly carries scar mad
from a sabre wound in his abdomen
that required 80 stitches to be taken
He receives a pension Of 81 day.
He was a camp fellow Of the cele
brated John Morrison, who created sue!
a disturbance in Canada some year
ago for shooting detective who ha'
come to arrest him. During the pas
few years he has been living at Little
vile.
1t is indeed pitiful to see man VIII
has passed through so many danger
for his country locked UP with crimi
nails for the offense of being drum
yet what else can be done with ma
whose mind is so wrecked by stron
drink that he cannot lift himself abov
the level of the lowest swine.
F William S. Snow died at his home
| Gray, Saturday, aged So years. II
t was the proprietor of the hotel at ths
: place. His wife and one son, Geors
W., who is married, and daughte
: Myrtle X, teacher, survive him. nj
Snow was born in Poland, Me. Whl
very young his parents moved
Weston. When a young man he WEI
to Litchfield, where he obtained his et
ucation, married and reared his famil
and spent the most of his life. He We
selectman and collector of Litchfie
MAJ ~