St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-06-08

COHmOuOT6 w lHllelu OCObU COhiOy,
commanding the United States fly
ing squadron, was born in 1910 on
his fathers farm, tract Of land com
prising 800 acres situated along the
Emmitsburg turnpike road, three miles
north of Frederick City, Md His father
was John T. Schley, brother Of Colo
mel Edward Schley, whose descendants
are today among the most prominent
and best known people Of Frederick.
There were seven in the family Of
which John I. Schley was member,
all of whom inherited large farms, and
several Of them fought with distinction
in the Mexican war. Thomas Schley,
the Maryland founder Of the family,
was an Alsatian by descent and began
life in the town of Frederick away back
In the last century.
Commodore Schley father married
Miss Virginia Mcclure beautiful wo
man of Baltimore She died few years
subsequently, and her husband died
some years ago in Baltimore When the
commodore was not more than few
days old, the Mexican war hero, Gen
eral Winfield Scott, was guest of his
father at Richfield 1.-THE name Of the
farm The friendship between the men
was so great that soon afterward the
youngster was named Winfield Scott
Schley in honor Of the old warrior.
AS boy he was full of fun, mischie-
vous and venturesome. He was fond of
climbing trees, robbing birds nests and
seemed never to tire of playing tricks
on his "woolly headed" old uncles all
Of whom, nevertheless, thought the
world of the prankish lad His early
years were spent on his fathers farm,
where he lived until about l6 years of
age, when he was admitted to the Naval
academy at Annapolis Before entering
the academy he spent much time in
company with his first cousins, the chill
dren Of the late Colonel Edward Schley,
on the latter large farm not far from
his own home. The boys and girls of
each family played together in company
with the children of the colored slaves
and none was more lively and mis-
chievous than Scott
Near the Foot Of His Glass.
In those good old times the Schleys
owned farms Of several hundred acres or
more and the principal event of the sea-
son was harvest time. 1t was no I'M
usual thing for Colonel Edward Schley
to lay in an extra supply of eatables the
week before harvest, for we'll he knew
that those who gathered his golden
grain would need it all before the
wind blew over the stubbles. Har-
vest time in those days brought out a
force Of willing helpers-willing be-
cause the boys used to make so cents a
day while the slaves, men and women,
Of course, were made to work without
compensation. In 1852 among those who
gathered sheaves in Colonel Schley 8
harvest field at the rate of 80 cents q
day was Winfield Scott Schley. He
worked eight days. made 81 and the re-
ceipt for his payment is now in the
possession of Mrs. Laura Schley Chap
line. his first cousin, who with her fam
Aly IcsluCo Ill Il IcueIlCh.
Commodore Schley did not distinguish
himself at the Naval academy where
he graduated in 1860, near the foot Of
his class. This was not owing to dull.
ness or lack Of natural ability, but be-
cause he was so busy with important
mischief that he couldn get much time
to study.
None Of his scrapes was very serious,
however, except one. That was when
he challenged fellow officer to fight.
To issue such challenge was serious
offense, but the matter was overlooked
because, as President Lincoln remarked
little later ON similar occasion, the
American people are always ready to
find an apology for man who is guilty
of being too ready to fight.
He was bold and spirited petty off,
Ger in the war; serving ON the blockade
ships, but Of course too young for i'm
portant command. Nevertheless he be-
came known as plucky youngster,
ready for anything.
His Career In the Civil wnr,
PROBABLY no naval officer la the world
has had such varied experience of so
many kinds, in war and peace, as Schley.
In brief it is this: In 1S61-5 active
service in the civil war; 1865 suppress.
ed riot of 400 Cinnamon on one of the
Chincha islands and also landed in La
Union, San Salvador, because of an in
surrection and took possession of the GUS
tom house to protect American interests /;
1871 landed marines in Korea and
thrashed the natives; 1875 punished
pirates in the lower Kongo; 1884 res
cued Greedy, the arctic explorer; 1890
took Ericsson's body to Sweden; 1891
commanded marines; 1892 he went on
Lighthouse service, with headquarters
at Staten Island; 1893 made plans for
buoying New York harbor; 1895 sue.