The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-13
Special to The Scranton Tribune.

Special to The Scranton Tribune.
Camp Alger, Dunn Loring, Va, Aug.
12,-Yesterdays sword and watch pre-
sentation are still the one general topic
of conversation in camp among the
boys of the Thirteenth. The members
of the committee made quite an i'm
pression--and this is not to be Won
dered at when one takes time to form
an idea of the generous avoirdupois Of
such men as John Stanton, ex-Sheriff
Robinson, L. ]. Fish, Moses Brown,
Attorney George S. Horn, ex-Postmas-
ter Vandling, Emil Schimpff, Victor
Koch and Detective John Moir. When
they marched in fours up and down
the company streets, even the Slim
est man in camp would have a hard
time to squeeze through.
1t was a happy day, not alone for
Company c and its captain, but for
the entire regiment, a fact which was
distinctly shown by the large number
of men who were present on that oc
casion. From being a special honor to
Captain Robling it turned out a real
Scranton day, and a jubilation for the
whole regiment, 1t was a case of those
ut home remembering the ones who
are far away, absent, but not forgot
ten by any means
The orator for the occasion was we'll
chosen. Mr. Horn, who is here attend
ing his sick son. never fails to make
his daily round of the Thirteenth, and
the boys appreciate this. Yesterday Mr..
Horn was on hand and the committee
at once pressed him into service They
insisted on his making the presenta-
tion speech, which was as happy in
nnirit c IL
words struck the right chord, and left
no doubt behind when he spoke of Cap
tain Robling's worth as a man, citi-
zen. a police official and as a soldier
of his country. Captain Robling, in
accepting the sword with grateful
thanks. was hardly permitted to speak
and to thank his friends in Scranton
for their splendid gift-the boys of his
command spoke for him, and yelled
themselves hoarse, which is the SOL
dier's benediction, and at the same
time his short and simple method of
expressing his thankfulness.
COLONEL COURSEN SPEAKS.
Colonel Coursen was called up to say
something, and expressed his delight
that member of the Thirteenth had
Deen accorded such substantial hon
or by the men who knew him best by
Scrantonians who We're not alone in
appreciating his merits.
The colonefs words were listened to
attentively, and at the end three hearty
cheers went UP for him.
The speaker. however, who struck
right straight at the hearts of the boys
was the respected chaplain Rev. N.
+. Stahl. He was known to be 4
humorlst when in Scranton, but the
pine forests and the open fields of Vir-
Elnla seem to have increased his capac-
ity in this direction. He believes, with
Shakespeare. that dreams go by con-
traries;" but even advances further
and is convinced that life itself goes
by contraries. For nearly four months
ne mas slept in a narrow bunk in a
small tent, and felt himself monarch
of all he surveyed" The other even
ing he visited a reverend friend in
Falls Church. slept in a wide bed and
dreamed that he was suffocating in a
dry goods box.
Last Sunday he preached at the
Young Mems Christian associa ton
tent, and on his way thither he was
stopped by two Virginia soldiers, who
asked him If he would not kindly get
some beer for them" Two days later
ne was sitting in his tent when two
other thirsty boys in blue came along
and inquired If he would not be good
enough to procure some drink for
them.' If this kept on he would have
TO do one of two things-ether he wouli
nave the colonel issue a general order
notifying all men that the Thirteenth's
chaplain is now the division bartender.
or else he would ask Captain Robling
with his new sword to stand before his
tent to keep all those with a burning
thirst at a safe distance.
Drifting into a more serious vein.
the chaplain then gave the boys some
good, manly advice. His words are
rarely, If ever, unheeded. Chaplain
Stahl is the living, never failing, sure
cure for the blues in the regiment His
tent is open to all, officer or private,
and he has fund of humorous stories
which never runs dry. Few chaplains
In the division are as we'll liked as he.
SHERIFF ROBINSON, TOO.
Sheriff Robinsons attempt to speak
was interrupted with a long yell
whats the matter with the tobacco?
It's all right" 1t will be remembered
that he sent consignment of 1t to the
boys short time ago. He was fol-
lowed by City Detective Moir who said
that his trip down here knocked all
his eloquence sky high.
Corporal Iona Day made a neat
speech in which he thanked those who
had remembered him so kindly. He
prizes his gold watch and chain high
ly. On the inside of the case are in
scribed the words: Presented to Cor
poral Iona Day by the Scranton Police
Force, July is. 1895"
The sword is one of the finest in
camp-the blade of the best-tempered
steel. the hilt plated with gold. on the
sheath are cut the words: presented
TO Captain Frank Robling by the
Police Department of Scranton, Pa.
June 2l, 1898" With the sword is an
appropriate gold, dress belt which Is
very stylish and valuable. CAPTAIN
Robling prizes the gift highly.
Ex"Sherif Robinson. Mr.. Stanton.
Mr.. Schmpff, Mr. Koch and ex-Post,
master Vandling will, very likely, tell
come strange unaccountable tales
about old Virginia, but the whole
truth" is this: There lives n largo
species of spider here which bores into
the ground Home distance, leaving an
opening of the diameter OF the ordi-
nary lead pencil. In addition TO this.
Privates Cunningham and Dunkerlv
nave an eel about a foot in length.
When the visitors showed a great in
terest In those peculiar holes in the
ground, and inquired their cause. they
were Informed that a certain kind OF
fsn lived there. TO demonstrate the
truth Of this Messrs. Cunningham and
punkerly heEap p pore the ground,