The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-08-24
WHEN DEWEY WAS A BOY.
Incidents OF the Youthful Days Of
the Hero OF Manila.


Burlington. W.-Dr julius Dewey.th
father Of the admiral. while earning
the means with which to pay for his
professional training by teaching school
in Vermont, acquired habits of economy
which chung to him through life.
After his marriage and establishment
in Montpelier. large family connec-
ton living in his native town. Berlin,
four miles distant, fell into q way when
business called them to the capital of
stopping with their teams at his house.
The doctor stood 1t for q time in
silence. but on a certain market day his
patience suddenly gave way. and meet
ing his guests at the gate he directed
them to a hotel in the adjacent square.
where he assured them they would find
better accommodations than he could
furnish and at current rates"
From this incident. which he fire.
quently related. he dated his prosper
tty. He had always high sense Of his
religious obligations. however, and was,
indeed. the founder Of the Christ Pro-
tesant Episcopal church in Montpelier.
where his distinguished son was bap-
tiled. attended Sunday school and was
confirmed. and which became the &C.
clesiastical home Of the family. The
house which he occupied, and In which
all OF his children were born. was orig
inally exceedingly small. but was sew
eral times added to.
Within the last two Or three years,
wishing to replace this modest struc-
ture with handsomer, more modern
ediice. Edward Dewey. the second son.
sold the dwelling and barn (retaining
the grounds) for $3.50. Three days aft
erwards the buildings were .resold for
$500. the last purchaser. who paid the
cost of removal. placing them on lot
on state street.
Since the battle Of Manila this house,
as the birthplace and early home Of
its hero. has been an object Of interest
to tourists and relic hunters. The lat
ter. indeed. have threatened to carry It
away piecemeal, souvenir fiend in one
instance wrenching of silver plated
faucet and leaving the water running
in the bath room with the pressure Of
the full system Of 15S pounds.
OF characteristic stories Of Dewey
many are preserved in the mental ar
chives Of those who were his compan-
ions In the boyish escapades Of which
he was the instigator and N which he
always played prominent part.
An incident Of his earliest boyhood.
graphically portrayed BY one OF them.
brings wildly before US . delightful
tragi-comedy. with the dramatis per-
sonae ana stage settings Of front yard
and vine-clad cottage.
AS the two children were at play one
morning lady. with the indubitable
toothache symptoms Of swollen face
and hand pressed to cheek. alighted
from vehicle before the gate and
asked to see the doctor. Deciding to ap-
ply the only infallible remedy. and
wishing to get the best light upon his
patient, that gentleman asked that she
would take her seat in the front door,
way, resting her feet on the upper step.
But here q new difficulty arose. the
improvised dental chair provided no
support for the head. and summonins
the little visitor the operator directed
him to stand behind her, put his hands
on either side Of her face. and let her
brace herself against his shoulder.
IT did as was told" continued the
narrator, ''but at the first twist Of the
old fashioned turnkey the patient ut
tered q yell which, never having heard
an Indian warwhoop. thrilled me with
horror, and. deserving my post. Ned in
dismay. In an instant George was In
my place. and can see now the set
look Of determination upon his face
and the resolute pose Of his sturdy little
ngure as with the lady's head pillowed
upon his breast he grasped an ear Arm
" with either small hand.
when the tooth was out and we
were again alone he endeavored to con-
vince me that 'woman's screams
couldn't hurt but had my own opin-
Ion on the subject. which logic failed
to alter"
On another occasion when the two
boys had come into possession OF bot
tie of maple syrup they agreed to 60 to
the school house where fire still burn
ed in the stove and sugar It."
Upon their arrival they happened to
try the door leading to an upper room,
and finding 1t fast. although there was
no lock upon 1t. they concluded that
It was being held by some intruder.
who. intent upon mischief. had con-
cealed himself. and. receiving no an
swer. retired to a convenient distance
and held council Of war. When George
40 tacitly acknowledged organizer. de-
eided that they would get into the up
ped window by climbing upon shed
esof, and dislodEe the enemy.
''You get club from the woodpile. -
he said, land l." unclasping It and
slipping It into the breast pocket Of
his little spencer. will take my knife.
Let me go first. and II there are two
Of them you can club ono while finish
the other"
"All this was az real to us then. -
said my informant, ''as was the battle
1t aMnila afterward to him. We made
our way stealthily to the upper win
dow. opening II with the utmost eau