The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-05-04
SPANKING COMMODORE DEWEY.
Interesting Anecdote About the
Famous Naval COmmAnder

Mr.. Frederick w. Pangborn, In this
mornings SUM- tells an interesting an
ecdote about Commodore Dewey, which
will be read with peculiar interest at
present. 1t was as follows
early in the ifties, when Dewey was
a boy. Major 2. K. Pangborn, former
editor of the Evening Journal Of Jersey
City. being then fresh from college. un-
dertook the management of a district
school at Montpelier, VT. This school had
been in rebellion for a long time, and the
boy Dewey was the leader Of the anti
| teacher brigade. Several previous teach
ers had been removed one had been
stood upon his head in a ~snowbank. and
it was. generally said at Montpelier that
nobody could govern that school.
when Mr.. Pangborn appeared at
school the first day of the session he
noticed Dewey up a tree throwing stones
at small boys. He told him quietly that
he must stop that. The reply was that
the teacher could go to- the place re-
served for a certain class of departed
mortals, and Dewey did not come down.
School went very smoothly that day, but
there were indications that showed the
teacher that trouble was coming. So he
provided himself with a nice rawhide
whip, which he tucked away over the
door, and then placed several sticks of
good hickory on the top Of the pile in
the old woodbox.
Next day the fun began. Another boy
who was disorderly was told to take his
seat. He did SO, and seven of the big
boys joined him on his bench. Then
Dewey stepped up and coolly informed
the teacher that they were going to
give him the best licking that he had
ever had.
Go to your seat!' commanded the
teacher, who was not so big a man
physically as either of the two boys mem
toned.
Dewey struck out, and the next in
slant the rawhide was playing catch
and-go all over him. The other biggest
boy entered the fight, and was promptly
laid low with a blow from one of the
hickory sticks. Dewey was, by this time.
lying upon the floor, bowling for quits
and the other boy lay near him uncon-
scious. The rebellion was over, n Mr..
Pangborn had no further trouble with
that school,.
..He took Dewey home to his father. and
L 4 l4ta La 1L0
son, somewhat the worse for wear, but
ready for school work.
Thank you,' replied DR.. Dewey. i
guess George will not give you any more
trouble. He will be at school tomorrow.
THE father of the other boy tried to
get a warrant for the arrest of the school
master, but there was not q magistrate
in the county who would issue one. They
said that if anybody had been found who
could govern that school, he was the man
for the place.
Young Dewey remained at school. He
soon became a good scholar. and, I'M
der his friends tuition. fitted for the
Annapolis Academy. Years after these
events he was wont to visit Major Pang-
born at his home in Boston. where the
former teacher was editor of the old
Atlas n Bee On one of these visits
he said to hint shall never cease to
be grateful to you. You made q man OF
me. But for that thrashing you rave me
I should probably now be in the State
Prison Dewey was at this time a young
Lieutenant in the Navy and a chum of
Major Pangborn's brother. who was also
a young naval officer. The two spent
much time at Major Pangborn's home,
and hi always speaks of Dewey as one
of his boys and is naturally very proud
of him. s.
often happens that the worst boy in
school may be made the best boy, and
that it does not follow because a boy.
needs a thrashing that he needs more
h one, provided it be well done and
at the right time. 1t is not on record
that the Commodore has ever been beaten
since, or that he has ever been known
TO fight in q bad cause