The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-05
william n. Finch, n wisconsin Edi-
tor, Appointed Minister to Par
aguay and Uruguay.
COLORED MEN NOT DESERTED
ATTITUDE OF THE ADMINISTRATION
TOWARDS SOUTHERN NEGROES.
Postmaster Loftin, Who Was Shot by
GeOrgians, Has Not Yet Sent
in His Resignation.
speeIal to the Indlanapolis journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4.-James S. Dodge.
commander of the G.. A. r. for the Depart
ment of Indiana, was to-day honored by
President Mckinley with the appointment
of consul to Nagasaki, Japan. Several 9TH
er important appointments were announced
as follows: William r. Finch. of Wisconsin,
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipo-
tertiary of the United States to Paraguay
and Uruguay; George w. Dickson of New
York, consul at Beleville, Ont; Alvin
Smith, of Ohio, consul at Trinidad, West
Indies; Percy McElrath, of New York, con-
sui at Turin. Italy; Joseph Perrault, Of
Boise, Idaho, to be surveyor general OF Ida
no.
James S. Dodge, who has been appointed
United States consul at Nagasaki Japan,
was born in Morrow county, Ohio of Scotch
ancestors, Aug. 26, 1916. Two years later his
parents removed to Elkhart county, Indiana,
and located on a farm. In 1850, when but
four years old, his mother died, and six
years later death deprived him of his ia
Their He was then cast entirely on his own
resources, and passed the next seven years
of his life on a farm. In June, 1863, he en-
listed as a recruit in the Third Ohio Caval-
ry, when but sixteen years old, and served
to the end of the war. He was with his reg
iment at Snake Creek Gap, Buzzard's Roost,
Chickamauga, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek,
Atlanta and other historic fields. He was
with fitzpatrick on the iatters famous raid,
and with Pap Thomas at the battle Of
Nashville. He was at Selma, Ala. and Co
lumbus, Ga, and was present and took part
in Hberating the last of the Union prisoners
at Andersonville. He also assisted in the
capture of Jeff Davis when the latter was
fleeing in disguise. Mr.. Dodge was mustered
out Of the service at the end of the war with
the rank of first sergeant.
In 1867 he entered the medical department
of Michigan University, took the medical
course, and continued in the practice OF
that profession until 1884. when he retired on
account of the encroachments of rheuma-
tism. Having prepared himself by two
years of assiduous application to the study
of the law, he was admitted to the bar of
Elkhart county and entered on the active
practice of law. Hard work and natural
ability soon placed him in the front, rank of
his calling and made one of the leading adj
vocates of the State. Mr.. Dodge has ever
been an aggressive and Incorporating Re-
publican, and for the last twelve years has
done much service for his party in the field,
on several occasions stumping the northern
half of the State. AS a political orator he
has few equals, and during campaign years
he has been constantly in demand by the
state Republican committee. In 1892 he was
a candidate for Congress- and although he
reduced his opponents majority one thou
sand votes, he was caught in the landslide
that engulfed his party. Perhaps no one in
the State has been more in demand for
Fourth of July and Decoration day orations,
and he is a frequent speaker at the G. A r.
reunions and various other celebrations. He
was for several years commander of the G..
A. r. post at Bristol Ind, and later COM
mander of Elmer Post, No. 81, of Elkhart.
At the state encampment of the G. A. r..
held in Richmond. May 1S of this year, he
was elected department commander. Mr..
Dodge is a member OF the Century Club;
social and commercial organization at his
home and is a member of St. Johns Epis-
copal Church He is thoroughly domestic
in his taste and leads a pleasant home life
with his wife and two children, a son and
daughter.
Mr.. Finch, who is named as United States
minister to Uruguay and Paraguay, is ed
itor and proprietor of the La Crosse (Wis.)
Republican and Leader. He has been prom
inent in Republican councils in Wisconsin
for many years and has the reputation Of
being a man Of literary attachments and
general ability.