The herald., 1898-06-19
AN OLD MANS TALES
Stories He Tells of His Friends Grant
and Webster


One of the most picturesque figures seen
at the May term of the York county
court in Alfred is old John Thompson of
Newfield, the plaintiff in the somewhat
celebrated case of Thompson VS.. heirs OF
jeremiah Mason, involving the owner
ship of $1,000 worth of bonds, alleged by
Thompson to have been wrongfully
seized by Mason while in his custody as
collateral. With his snowy locks,
piercing black eyes, ancient-styled Prince
Albert, and wide brimmed sombrero, he
is striking figure.
HIS has been a career replete with ac-
tivlty, abounding in picturesqueness,
with numerous changes from wealth to
poverty, until now, in the twilight of life,
he finds himself with bare pittance and
struggling for a fortune fraudulently, as
he says, wrested from him.
He was born in Newfield, October 10,
1877. At the age Of 16 he left his fathers
farm to work on the Eastern railroad,
which he followed during its construction
from Boston to Portland. From that
time to the outbreak of the rebellion he
was engaged in the business of building
railroads in various parts of the country.
Among the lines which he constructed.
wholly or in part, were the F1tchpurs'
Vermont Central, Ogdensburg, Michigan
Central, Lake Shore, Iowa Central,
Union Pacific Memphis and Charleston.
Northwestern and Mobile, and the Racine
and Mississippi. He was engaged in the
construction of the two latter roads at
the time of the bombardment of Fort
Sumter, when he was ordered out of Mo-
bile and compelled to make his way
north, leaving unfinished contracts upon
which he had expended 100000.
When in Missouri in 1852 he one day met
Grant at the Planters hotel in st. Louis.
The chance acquaintance ripened into
friendship and during the time when
Grant conducted tannery and store at
Galena, Thompson was a frequent guest
at his home. Together they passed many
social evenings at TIE mohonored game
Of high-low jack
When Grant was appointed to the COM
mand of the department of the Missis-
sippi he appointed Thompson general
military roadmaster of his army and in
trusted to him the duty of bringing cap
turrd confederate roads to serviceable
condition This difficult position he filleC!
most acceptably until late in 1862, when
he was captured by confederate scouts
while inspecting a pontoon bridge. After
six months Imprisonment at the Holly
Springs and Vcksburg. he was released
on parole and returned home, greatly
broken in health.
During Mr. Thompson's railroading
DAYS in New England he became well ac-
ouainted with Daniel Webster, then in
the zenith of his career. lie first met
him at the Revere house in Boston on the
day that he delivered his famous Grafton
at the dedication of Bunker Hill monu-
ment.
Mr.. Thompson describes their meeting
as follows: "I was introduced to Mr..
Webster at the Revere house by a Mr..
Belnap, who was an acquaintance of
mine and an intimate friend Of Websters
We took several drinks together, Mr.
Webster more than the rest. When the
time came for him to deliver his grafton
he was a trfe unsteady on his legs, and
Mr.. Beinap escorted him to the foot of
the stairs leading to the platform where
he spoke.
"Hc ascended the stairs with some diff
ficulty. For an instant he stood there
leaning upon the railing, with bowed
head, facing the vast audience of more
LNdH OU,UUu pSOplc. HGu SioWty liz
Strengthened his massive form and lifted
his right hand toward the sky. The au-
iicnce stood with awe-struck faces.
awaiting the masters voice. 1t was Il
marvellous example Of an orators per-
sonality. Slowly he began to speak, and
for an hour the world was blotted out in
the charm of his matchless eloquence.
"Some time afterward was railroading
in New Hampshire and met Webster fire.
quently at Franklin, where he had a
country place. He entertained many
friends, and fishing parties, of which /
was member, were of frequent occur
renee. On such occasions Webster was
the life of the party. He had an abund-
ant store of rarely good stories which he
hugely enjoyed relating to an appreciative
circle. Shortly after my profession called