, 1898-08-13
JAY |. T0RREY|
IN COMMAND OF THE SECOND
UNITED STATES vOLUN-
TEER CAVALRY.
An Interesting Biographical Sketch OF
His Career-A Native Of the State
Of Illinois-Carried Papers in st.
Louis in Order to Pay His Way
Through College.

Louis in Order to Pay His Way
Through College.
The Jacksonville (Fla.) Times-Union
and Citizen publishes the following in
teresting biographical sketch Of Col
onel Torrey:
A good deal has been written and
published about the Second United
States volunteer cavaly, otherwise
known as Torrey's Rocky Mountain
Rough Riders. encamped at Panama
park. but very little has been told
about Colonel Jay L. Torrey himself,
except that he holds a nigh place in
the affections of every man in the reg
iment, which means more than mere
words can express.
BY reason Of his injury at Tupelo in
the railroad wreck when en- route to
Jacksonville. Colonel Torrey has not
been able to get around as otherwise
would be the case. still being unable to
walk, although he hopes soon to do so,
with the aid Of a pair Of crutches, and
then to mount a bronco in the usual
style incident to the west.
The Times-Union and Citizen is. how
ever, able to present an excellent like
ness of Colonel Torrey, together with
a brief biographical sketch that will be
Of interest. Although having a nation
al reputation through his authorship
Of what is known at the Torrey bank
ruptcy bill, there are many points in
his interesting career that have neve
heretofore been published, and it can
be stated that the facts presented are
correct in every way.
"A man Of most robust physique, tall
and commanding, he is the ideal Of an
army officer, and combined with these
qualities nature has also given to him
a most kindly disposition, a warm and
generous heart, together with the ten
derness and solicitude of a woman al
most. and yet at the same time with a
strong will force that makes him a
natural leader Of men. 1t Is not to be
wondered. then, that he hold such a
high place in the affection of his troop
ers, and thai every one Of them feels
proud Of the fact that he belongs to
Colonel Torrey's regiment.
Colonel Torey is best known through
out the country as the author of the
Torrey bankruptcy bill, now a law, for
the passage of which he labored four
teen years. He was in Washington in
its behalf at the time the war was de-
clared, and Immediately secured au-
thority to organize his regiment.
Colonel Torrey was a captain Of ca
diets at the state university, and after
ward served seveal years in the Nation
al Guard Of Missouri. He was esteem
ed a successful and popular officer, and
later was assistant adjutant general OF
the eastern military district of Mis-
souri,.
Some years ago Colonel Torrey sue
ceeded his brother in a large cattle
business in northern Wyoming, which
he still owns and conducts. The largest
and best house in the country in which
he Lives was built by him as a bunk
house and messhall for the men en-
ployed by him.
WORKED HIS WAY.
Colonel Torrey was born in Pitts
field, Ill. He was educated at the state
university Of Missouri at Columbia,
and at Washington university in St.
Louis. At the state university he was
what was known as a self-supporting
student; that is. between hours OF reci-
tation he labored instead OF played, and
In that way earned money enough to
support himself. Upon leaving the uni
verstty he went to St. Louis to attend
the st. Louis Law school. Being with
out means, 1t was necessary, also, to
earn a livelihood there. This he did by
carrying a newspaper route upon the
st. Louis Globe-Democrat. This oc-
cuation ~necessitated a five-mile walk
every mOrnig before breakfast, and to
this fact Is probably attributed the I'M
usual physical development which he
enjoys. He graduated from the st.
Louis law school in 1876, and imme-
diately entered the practice of his pro-
fession In st. Louis where he was sue
cessful as a civil lawyer.
Colonel Torrey was the originator Of
the idea Of the organization of troops
consisting of ~frontiersmen who are
and horsemen, and secured
the legislation pursuant to which three
regiments Of cavalry Of this character
have been enlisted. They are Colonel
Rooseveltis Rough Riders, Colonel Tor
rey's Rocky mountain cavalry, and
Colonel Griggsby's cowboys.
The organization Of the Rocky
mountain riders by Colonel Torrey was
Q marvellous exhibition Of the posi-
bilities Of our present state Of civli-
nation. He arrived at Fort D. A. Rus
sci, Wyo.. May 16, and fourteen days
lister was mustered in as colonel or the
there having arrived and
been mustered In in the meantime one
troop from Idaho, one from Nevada ,oen
from Utah and seven from Wyoming.