The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-04-05
Given over to One Thought-PFes'r-
walton of the Union.
THE SELDOM REVEALED SIDE
OF the Character of President AbFa-
ham Lincoln's Famous War secFe-
tary-Recited by One Who Knew
Him as a Brother.

war department, said A, D. Sharon
ono Of callfornla's multi-mIllIonaires
and the owner and proprietor Of San
Franclseo's famous Palace Hotel. Il
came a, the suggestion Of my. dear
friend and law preceptor Edwin NJ.
stanton. who was then secretary OF
war, don't recall that did any work
during the elk months, and / finally
became Disguised and threw up the
position.
"My relations with Stanton? 1t
would take a volume to tell them, and
then don't know that they would be
of any great interest Stanton was one
Of the first persons l ever knew He
was much older than /, but there was
always feeling between US akin to
that OF brothers. And for few years
of his life he was practically brother.
That is. he lived In my fathers family
and was like one OF the family.
awe heard my father tell the story
ana i've heard stanton himself relate It
many time. My father was II pros
porous farmer in smithHeld township.
Jefferson county, Ohio. He was drawn
as a grand juror He was leaving the
old steubenville court mouse 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
toes. and who was shlyering with the
cold that easily penetrated his ragged
clothes.
"'what's your nance father asked
him.
"Ed stanton, was the ready re-
Spouse.
''wen come. along with me- said
father. and they went over to Mays
store on second street, where the boy
was fitted out with a new pair of boots.
A superficial inspection disclosed to
father the Importance of the lads hav-
Ing new suit of clothes, and they were
provided. Then father asked him
where he lived.
"'Around on Third street, sir the
boy replied.
$50 father accompanied the lad
around to his home, and there met his
mother.
Mrs. Stanton, he said, I want that
boy. II you will let me have him until
he is fifteen years old will teach him
to plow. sow. reap. and NOV. and l will
ciothe him and give him four months
schooling each year
Father always considered blowing,
sowing, reaping. and moving the four
great requisites of life.
'"Alr. Sharon, said Mrs. Stanton, I
wish you would take Ed. He is good
boy, and l know that you win do more
for him than can do
Mrs. Stanton was in poor circnm-
stances and she looked upon this OPP
nortunlty for Ed. as a godsend. To
make long story short, the youngster
came into our family down in Smith
field township and father did by him
as he agreed. lie laid the foundation
for his great mind in the little district
school and he became proficient as a
farmer lad. So that was the reason
that Edwin NJ. Stanton and were
such friends.
Happened to Go to Washington.
But / was going to tell you how I
happened to come to Washington. I
had been out in the one Hundred and
Fttty-seventh OHIO Regiment under
Col. George McCook, one OF the fighting
McCooks, and Stanton's law partner,
The judge OF the common pleas court
in Jefrcrpon county had died and Gov
ernor Bruugh had appointed me to I'LL
the vacancy. I served several months.
until an election could be held, and
was very glad to retire. was only
twenty-onc years old. and was no more
capable OF administering the law than
q cow. You know, boy OF that age
doesn't do much thinking. had lust
gone into partnership with 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
uil lbNUAt NhAkNu W hllNN INV FNHl
thing was In steubenville, and then
turned to me and said, I want you to
go across the river with me- An right,
said l.
II put on my hat and we started
out. on the way down stairs he placed
hts hand on my shoulder and said:
This Is a glorious day, and want to
go over across the hills. and want you
with me-.
y assured him that l was pleased to
accompany him. He had Just gotten in
from Washington. l recall him as he
looked, clad in linen dustcr, gar
mont that was much moro In evidence
q 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 acqualnt-
ance or friend. went into a store,
while Stanton waited outside talking
with some one OF the town folk. and
bought nftean cents worth Of ginger
cnke-glnger snaps we used to call
them.
I'VE then proceeded down to tho
ferry. Hardly n word was said while
going across We climbed up the rocks
together. occasionally slipping back n
little. but finally reaching point that
70 Stanton seemed congenlal a beau
tlfuI place It is across the river from
steubcnvIlle. You get n view of the
country for miles, and particularly the
Ohio valley above and below.