The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-07-27

horne district. In iS, he removed to
Peoria. whore he devoted mrch OF his
time to political speaking and acquired
considerable local fame.
In 1850 ha accepted the Democratic nom-
ination for congress In a district that was
overwhelmingly Republican, and was
beaten. He never ran for office again.
He settled down to the practice Of mw.
but upon the breaking out OF the civil
war entered the Union army after or
ganizing a regiment Of cavalry, the Elev-
enth Illinois. OF which he was made Colo
ned. He made reputation rs soldier
for personal daring and dash.
While he was Suardin: a crossroad with
q small detachment Of men he was SUR
prised by a party OF Confederates. who
captured both him and his men. He was
taken before the Confederate general and
interroGated as to who was In command
Of his forces. "Tll be hanged II know.
he said. You are fine soldier not tn
know your commander" said the Confed-
trate. Ingersoll's eyes twinkled AZ he re-
piled: well. l was in command five min
utes ago. Who IL In command now /
haven't the slightest idea" This pleased
the Confederate general, and the two be-
came friends. II was not long before the
Federal troops began pursuit of the Con
federates who held lngersoll captive. The
chase lasted three days. at the end OF
which time the Confederate commander
! said to Ingersoll. Ride apart IA little.
and when nobody is looking light out and
look out for yourself" Ingersoll accepted
| the advice.
When his term of service expired he re-
turned to Illinois. In politics he became
| Republican, and his rise in the legal pro
| fession was rapid In 1866 he was appoint
| ed attorney general for Illinois, which
post he filled for several years. Ten years
later, in 1876. he became a delegate to the
national Republican convention, and his
nominating speech was the sensation OF
| that occasion.
| Before the people had done talking
about the "Plumed knight" speech he
made his famous Indianapolis speech.
This memorable address began. The past
rises before me like n dream II electri-
fed the soldiers before whom 1t was de-
livered. Men were held spellbound and
women cried, and although II began tn
rain before he had finished none left the
place.
| 1t was not until after this speech thnt
| the world came TO know Of lngersolr :
views on religion. He was offered large
sums by lecture bureaus to speak on any
topic he chose throughout tho country,
| and he selected the Bible as his theme
Most people remember the lectures he de-
Iivsred. Perhaps his Mistakes Of Moses
was the most famous. or Infamous. al
one may look at II.
In 1877 Ingersoll was offered the position
OF United States minister to Germany
but refused It. and short time after
that removed TO New York. whore he took
up the practice Of law and became one
Of the most successful legal lights OF the
metropolis. Ingersoll rarely failed to gel
the fee he demanded. though sometimes
the sum he named would take away the
breath of the client.
Personally Ingersoll was Jolly good
fellow. His good nature was notable. Ne
seemed to have fear of nobody. He uset
TO say that he never disciplined his chill
dren. II was told OF him that II was hi'
custom to leave we'll filled wallet on thu
mantel In the dining room to which an,
member Of his family had free access
| When the money was nearly gone M
filled II UP and never asked any question:
as TO what had become Of II. His daugh
tiers were not allowed to 90 to church
when they were children. and when theI
grew up they did not e@re to 90. ThsI
never went TO school day In their lives
being trained entirely by their father an<
mother at home.
Ingcrsoli never denied that there Wa
God. He used to say that the Bible wa
q beautiful book and that he would giv'
Il all - had Il he could believe its prom
Isss." ~