Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-07-21
Private Jesse Il. Baker.

hhN"eS oScoS 4 lie DuNSHs
The following story, which was told
in the Pittsburg Times a few days
since, will prove interesting to a great
many Pennsylvanians who are person
ally acquainted with the subject of the
sketch:
"Private, what have you got IN that
jug?"
1t was an officer in the uniform of
the United States artillery, member
of the staff of Maj. Gen. Graham, COM
mander at Camp Alger, Va, who per-
emptorily put the question. The soldier
he addressed was heavy-set fellow of
about AZ, with keen, shrewd face and
smiling lips shaded by brown mus
tache. The insignia on his uniform
showed that he was private in Com
pany d, Sixth Pennsylvania Volun-
teers. In one hand he carried a two.
gallon brown jug, and by the way it
weighed him down to one side it evil
IDENTIFY wasn't empty. Saluting the
officer, he promptly replied:
water, sir!"
"Water?"
eyes, sir"
"Where are you going with it?"
"I am taking it to the surgeon gen.
eral of the United States at Washing
ton, so that it may be anaIyzed in order
that we may know whether or not it is
fit to be used by the Sixth Pennsylvania
regiment"
The officer rather doubtfully pulled
the cork aud smelled the contents of
the Jug. AS a rule privates at Camp
Alger don't carry around water in jugs.
Satisfied, however, that it wasn't some
thing stronger, he handed the jug back
to the soldier and was about to pass on
when the latter began to ask some
questions.
"You graduated from West Point in
the class of 1877, didn't you?" 1
81 did," was the rather surprised re-
sponse.
81 thought l remembered you," said
the private. 81 used to drill you when
you were 'plebe.' Do you remember
the roll call still?" And he ran down
the once familiar old call until he
reached the officers name.
"Thats my name," struck in the lat
ter. "Who are you?"
"Jesse M. Baker," answered the pri-
vate of d, Sixth Pennsylvania, and the
two shook hands.
1t was ex-senator Jesse M. Baker, of
Delaware county, he of "Baker ballot"
fame, who thus struck an old acquaint-
ance. In the rolls of the volunteer
army there is possibly no more signal
example of the stuff our soldiers are
made of than Mr.. Baker affords He
was educated at the Pennsylvania Mill
tary academy, and then entered West
Point, but didn't graduate, because, as
he expresses it, he was "shy on his
French His lack of knowledge of
that language didn't keep him out of
the Pennsylvania National Guard, how
ever, for he entered that organization
in 1877 and worked himself up until he
became major in the Sixth regiment.
That position he resigned about year
ago in order to devote his time wholly
to the law. But the war with Spain
broke out, and he at once enlisted as
private in his old regiment. In that
capacity he served until a day or two
ago, when Gov. Hastings commissioned
him first lieutenant in Company X,
Fourth regiment, which, under Col d.
B. Case, is now at Tampa, Fla, await
ing orders for Cuba. sE.
Even had the Governor not given
Private Baker this promotion, it is not
likely that he would have been pri-
vate very much longer. President
Mckinley heard of Private Baker from
Postmaster General Charles Emory
Smith, and sent word to Secretary
Alger that a staff position must be
found for him.
"Then," the President added to Mr.
Smith, 81 want you to have Bakers
story written up and printed"
1t is worth printing, this story of
man who studied at West Point, became
lawyer, was twice district attorney of
Delaware county, served two terms in
the House and one in the Senate of
Pennsylvania, where he identified his
name with our present voting system,
was 20 years in the National Guard and
became major of his regiment, and then
went to the front as q private soldier.
Armies which can show men like this
will bear the flag to victory anywhere
they may be sent.
What it flight Say.
Said citizen the other day: 1--WE
expect the local paper to say all of the