The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1898-06-24
"SCHLEY" is "SLY."
HIS Family, Old MaryIanders, Have Long
Used That Pronunciation.


Used That Pronunciation.
There has been a good deal of specu-
latlon, not only in naval circles, but
among the public at large as to the
origin Of Commodore Winfield Scott
Schley's name. By some it has been as
serted that he is of German descent, and
by others that he is a relative of the
doughty old hero of the Mexican war.
A little while before Schley became a
commodore he gave Tribune reporter a
talk which will throw light on the mat
ter.
AT the time was pulling mewl-
ing baby, without name or much more
hair on my head than l have now, +"
SAID the gallant officer, playfully brush
ing back the locks which SO skillfully
conceal his bald pate, ''my parents were,
L suppose, at their wits end to cudgel
up some name appropriate for the mar
vel OF human excellence they undoubt-
edly thought me to be. The matter did
not bother me SO much as it does now,
for | wisely refrained from giving an
opinion on the subject, or at least any
that the newspapers would care to pub
llsh. At that time, which marks an era
in one life, anyway, General Scott was
in the zenith of his glory and rotundity.
A very great man was Scott at that
time-physically and popularity. He
was great friend Of my parents and
frequently called at our house. AS I
said re- oT1l Cro1 fh6iTs
brains to find some name good enough
to tack on such a morsel of humanity as
myself, and while in the midst of
their councils one day, the huge shadow
Of Scott darkened the doorway and cast
it's robust shade on me. That settled it.
The circumstance was regarded as an
suspicious omen, and forthwith it was
decided that was to pass through life
as Winfield Scott Schley.
CHOW, for PHYS sake, don't give my
last name with German accent. It's
pronounced Sly-plain, commonplace,
everyday Sly. That's the way it has
been pronounced i'll my family as long
as l can remember or ever heard of. I'm
not much on pedigree searching-too
many Of my acquaintance have Stun
bled across horse thieves and pirates to
make me DESTROYS for that kind of rec
reation-but Schley is an old Maryland
family, though why they have stuck on
all those sloppy Dutch consonants I
can't tell, but it's Sly I was born, and
it's Sly I'll be till my hair ceases to
come out; then you can call me Dinnis
if you like. So long as [ have the proud
distinction of drawing a comb over my
head with q purpose l shall most dis
tinctly and positively object to be called
Ptschzley or any other foreign twisting
Of the name. "
"How do you like the name of the
famous fighter"
Like it?' said the gallant sea dog
"Why, | can t say that l ever gave it
much consideration. can only say that
soza after became full hedged naval
officer the old general gave dinner at
the Brevoort House, in Fifth avenue,
New York, at which he invited all the
young men he could find who had been
named after him. 1t was great sight.
There they were, several score strong,
and there is no telling how many more
might not have been there had they
known of it. Anyway they have turned
out fairly well, at least one Of them
having become a general in the United
States army. Well, the old general
wound up the dinner in one of his most
pompous speeches, such as no one can
appreciate unless he has seen and heard
him. He said that he felt highly graft
fed at having his name left to posterity
in such promising young hands, and
of course we youngsters believed all he
said. At any rate 1 can't change the
name, and 1 don't believe that I'd want
to if 1 could. New York Tribune.