Evening star., 1900-03-16
KNEW STANTQNWELL
Sharon, California Hotel Prince, Tells
Of the Great Var Secretary.
BROUGHT UP BY fHE SAME FATHER
Silence, Ginger Cakes and an
Afternoon in 'thelcountry.
AN INTEREsT'1Na STORY

1.-THE first time was in Washington was
in 1858, and T spent about six months as
clerk in the War Department" said A. D.
Sharon, one of California's multi-mIllion-
aires and the owner and proprietor of San
Franciscos famous Palace Hotel, to n Star
reporter at the Normandie. Il came at
the suggestion of my dear friend and law
preceptor, Edwin NJ. Stanton, who was then
Secretary of War I don't recall that did
any work during the six months, and 1
finally became disgusted and threw up the
position.
My relations with Stanton? 1t would
take a volume to tell them, and then I
don't know that they would be Of any great
interest. Stanton was one of the first per
sons l ever knew. He was much older, but
there was always feeling between us akin
to that of brothers And for few years
OF his life he was practically a brother.
That is, he lived in my fathers family and
was one of the family.
- Taken by Sharon Senior.
I've heard my father tell the story and
I've heard Stanton himself relate It many
time My father was a prosperous far
mer in Smithfeld township, Jefferson coun-
ty, Ohio. He was drawn as grand Juror
He was leaving the old Steubenville court
house at the close of the jury session when
he was attracted to a little fellow, nine or
ten years old, whose boots were out at the
tees. and who was shivering with the cold
that easily penetrated his ragged clothes.
What's your name?' father asked him.
" Ed Stanton was the ready response
Well, come along with me- said father
and they went over to Mays store on I'd
street. where the boy was fitted out with a
new pair of boots. A superficial inspection
disclosed to father the Importance of the
lads having new suit of clothes, and they
We're provided. Then father asked him
where he lived.
' Around on Sd street, SIR the boy re-
piled.
so father accompanied the lad around
to his home, and there met his mother.
Mrs Stanton he said, I want that
boy. If you will let me have him until
he Is fifteen years old. will learn him to
plow, sow, reap and NOW, and / will clothe
him and give him four months schooling
each year.
Father always considered plowing, SOW
ing, reaping and moving the four great re-
quisiteS of life.
"'Mr. Sharon said AIRS Stanton, I wish
you would take Ed He Is good boy, and
I know that you will do more for him than
l can do f1 4h
Mrs. Stanton was in poor circumstances
and she looked upon this opportunity for
Ed God-send. To make a long story
short. the youngster came, into our family
by him as he agreed. He tlaid the founda-
ton for his great mind in the little district
school and he became proficient as farmer
lad. So that was the reason that Edwin NJ.
Stanton and were such friends.
stanton's Visit to steubenviIle.
But l was going to tell You now i hap
pened to come to Washington. I had been
out in the 157th Ohio Regiment under Col
George McCook. onef Of the fighting Nc
Cooks and Stantons4la~ partner. The
judge of the common pleas court in Jeffer-
son, county had died sard Gov. Brough had
appointed me tojfiH the vacancy. 1 served
several months. until an election could be
held, and was very glad to retire. I was
only twenty-one years old and was no more
capable Of administering the law than a
cow. You know, a boy of that age doesn't
do much thinking. 1 had just gone into
partnership with a couple of legal friends
under the firm name of Miller, Sherrard &
Sharon. One day the office door opened
and who should come in but Stanton. He
shook hands all round, wanted to know
how everything was in Steubenville, and
then turned to me and Said
L want you to go across the river with
me-
"'All right. replied
Il put on my hat and we started out. On
the way down stairs he placed his hand
on my shoulder and said:
This is a glorious day. and I want to
go over across to the hills, and I want you
with me-
Il assured him that was pleased to ac-
company him. He had just gotten in from
Washington. I recall him as he looked
clad In linen duster. a garment that was
much more in evidence third of century
ago than at the present time. We walked
down the street, stopping frequently for
Stanton to grasp the hand of some old ac-
quaintance or friend. 1 went into store,
while Stanton waited outside talking with
some one of the town folk. and bought IS
cents worth Of ginger cakes-ginger snaps,
we used to call them.
I'VE then proceeded down to the ferry
Hardly word was said while going across.
We climbed up the rocks together, occa-
sionally slipping back little, but finally
reaching point that to Stanton seemed
congenial. A beautiful place it is across
the river from Steubenvile You get
view of the country for miles, and particu-
.larly the Ohio river valley above and below.
Silent Man.
1T was about II o'clock when we reach
ed this delightful place Stanton sat down
on a rock and for several hours was in
deep thought. He stroked his long whis-
kers time and again ard now and then
rubbed his temples. suggesting to me that
he was struggling with some abstruse men
tai proposition, which doubtless he was.
he was uncommunfcatfve and / was inde-
pendent l said to myself, old fellow, If
you don't want to talk I won't force a con-
II got up and walked about but at all
times was within speaking distance. Now
and then came back and sat down. but
not a word from Stanton. He still main
tanned his position on the rock. And he
pulled away at his whiskers with a peril
nacity that attracted my attention to the
utmost. Finally about the middle of the
afternoon, he broke the silence by saying: |
Don't you think it's pretty near time
we were getting bach2
II told him was r8ady at any time: that
l was with him to go at his convenience.
But said !. 'don,t-you think it's pretty
snaps? ~
had forgotten all about them' he
said I guess you ara right |
so I opened the bag and we sat there
and ate our lunch Hasl ltungry as bear
and stanton proved that he had not entirely
lost his appetite. On lhes2ay back he said
to me:
why don't you 6ome1to Washington
told him had nsyeT given the matter
'.I don't know what Would do there |
"Tll give you peaceein the War De-
But. continued. esastakes money to
get to Washington and r. get started. I
~ " q dos