Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-16

TESTIMONIAL OF GOOD CHARAC-
TER FROM SCHLEY.
John King, 68 years Of age, an old
man-O'-war's man, applied for night S
lodging at the City Building last night.
He had credentials in the shape OF hon
orable discharges from the United
States Navy and letters from prominent
naval officers King is on his way to
the old soldiers home in Dayton, where
he expects to end his remaining years.
He has followed the sea for fifty-one
years, a good half century, about half
of which period he served in the United
States navy. During his life there are
few points on the globe where vessels
touch that he has not been to. He has
sailed on merchantmen, on filibusters,
on whalers, coasters and, in fact, al
most every kind Of craft that floats
Could a story of his life be written,
it would fill book, and, indeed, very
interesting one. He has sailed back
in the old days with many officers who
since that time have distinguished
themselves and been brought before
the public gaze.
His story, which he told in most
interesting manner, using the vernacu~
lar of the sea and quaint expressions
of 10 1lx ic ohnnr fol-
lows: He was born in Philadelphia,
Pa, in 1880. When he was a good
sized boy he took a liking to the sea,
and spent a good deal of his time
around the wharves. When II years
of age he shipped on board merchant
man and was gone on a cruise of two
years. On his return home in AZ, he
shipped on the United States frigate
independence. When he shipped on
the Independence two of his officers
were Lieut.. Morris and Ensign Pende-
grass, who afterwards as captain ana
| lieutenant commander respectively of
the Cumberland and the Congress, had
their vessels sunk under them by the
Merrimac in the battle at Hampton
Roads during the war of the rebellion.
Mr.. King said of all the officers from
the midshipmen up on the old lnde-
pendence at the time of his enlistment.
he did not think that one was alive.
In $50 he was honorably discharged
from the service From this period up
to 81 he served on several merchant
men until the war of 81 broke out.
When the call for able-bodied seamen
came, King enlisted and was detailed
on board the United States frigate
Wabash, a first class frigate. She was
one of the largest vessels in the navy,
mounting forty-five guns, Of which
twenty-one nine-inch rifle guns form
ed each broadside battery. On this
| boat he was under fire some twenty
times, serving in the battle OF Port
Royal, S. c. In SO he was shifted to
the Montank He was also in the
landing party that stormed the forts
at the entrance of Savannah harbor.
He left the navy in '65, being honorably
discharged.
He was in New Orleans in '73, when
the Virginus affair came near emoroll-
ing the United States and Spain in war
From this place King shipped in the
old Kearsarge with Winfield Scott
Schley, as lieut.. commander. In the
Kearsarge, King made the trip out to
the China station. on the South At
lantic and the coast of Africa King
describes Schley as an officer very
popularity liked by his men. After his
return from this cruise he shipped on
the Pensacola at Portsmouth, Va, I'M
! der Lieut. Hitchcock, and Capt George
! Dewey. He served on the Pensacola
from 'S5 to 49, King told a story
which demonstrates the character OF
! the hero of Manila toward his name.
He said he had just been mustered on
board. and was sitting up forward
splicing a rope. He knew his captain
| by sight. Dewey had been through a
siege of illness and was still pale.
| Dewey walked up TO King. He was
dressed in black civilian clothes and
| had a very ministerial air about him.
He walked up to King and questioned
him in what capacity he (King) had
shipped. King answered his questions
and then turning to Dewey said; And
l suppose you are our new chaplain"
NO. my man; I'm your captain said
Dewey. Then going UP to Lieut. Hitch
cock. he said: What do you think
that ID jackey up front there wanted
to know? He asked me if l was the
new chaplain" And laughing heartily,
sought his cabin. King served on
training ships later. and was on the
Assipee, stationed at the West indies
and near Hayti. He received his hon
orable discharge on April rs, 1891. He
also served with Fighting Bob Evans
on the S-.ratoga, stationed az Chilli,
during the recent instruction there.
Following is a letter Admiral W. s.
| Schley wrote in his behalf % Capt.
O'Nein, of the Navy Yard at Washing