Arizona daily citizen., 1901-05-21
President Mckinley Net
a COmrade at Wilcox

The Wilcox Range News says:
Promptly on the time scheduled for
the arrival OF the train the whistle at
the ice plant announced to the waiting
throng the approach of the presidential
train. 1t stopped at the water tank
and the crowd made rush for the
Olympia, the rear car. The conductor
stepped off and announced that they
would make short stop at the depot.
The bon.fires blazed out in the street
while the crowd surged TO the depot. the
train pulled up and stopped. The pres
ident appeared on the rear end of the
car and bowed his acknowledgements to
the ovations OF the assembled crowd who
Immediately gathered around to shake
his hand.
During the hand shaking I. E. Ruth
was led up to the president by Post
master s. ]. Geddes. The old man,
now nearly blind. extended his hand
which was grasped by the president.
Do you know Isac Ruth" he asked.
mo-" answered the president, "Do you
remember tChub. " asked Ruth, ST dc" y,
replied the president and again shook
the old mans hand warmly. "Do you
remember the charges we made togeth-
err" said Ruth. ."I certainly do, and
didn't we charge brilliantly" said the
president. 81 am old and almost blind"
said Ruth, ~ can't see you, but | can
feel you," and with another warm pres
sing of hands thetwo old comrades parted
and the train pulled slowly away amid
cheers. The old man was led away
almost overcome with emotion.
President Mckinley and Mr.. Ruth
first met at Knoxville. Tenn, in the
in the civil war. Major MeKinley's
regiment was then attached to the
Fourth army corps and besieged at
Knoxville. /. f. Ruth was ordered to
General j. C. Davis. commanding the
Fourteenth corps. who in conjunction
with the Seventeenth corps, both nnder
the command OF General Sherman,
raised the siege. The two saw service
together for nearly two years after.
Ruth, being the smallest orderly i'm
these corps, was nicknamed "Chub."
In 1864 Ruth had q thrilling expert.
ence which brought him into universal
notice. At Burnt Hickory, South Caro-
lima, he carried dispatch to General
stedman. The officer was in his tent
asleep. The sentry told Ruth to step
inside and wake him up. Ruth went in,
shook the General and handed him the
dispatch. The General put the dispatch
under his pillow and went tosleep again.
Shortly after General Stedman was called
TO account before his superior officers for
disobeying orders. His defense was that
he had mot received the dispatch. Upon
this testimony Ruth Was courtmaYtialed
and sentenced to be shot, General Sher-
man presiding at the trial. Upon re-
ceiving his sentence Ruth addressed
General Sherman saying: ~ suppose /
will be shot without being permitted to
say word i'm my defense." General
NAsOA hSSAA 1Spk1Cu tA2S II A1AA 1h1 enAhS sV
say he would be heard. Ruth made the
statement that he could prove he had
delivered the message, and the sentry
was immediately sent for who corrobor-
ated Ruth's story. Another messenger
was thereupon dispatched to search the
Generals tent for the missing dispatch.
1t was found under the Generate pillow
Ruth was immediately ac-
quilted.
On being interviewed by News rep
Mr.. Ruth spoke In glowing
terms OF the bravery of Major Mckinley.
He was every inch q soldier and always
st the head and in advance Of his regi-
nent in every charge, and was idolized
BY his men. The old veteran flushed
With enthusiasm as he recountsd numer-
'us incidenss Of bravery and magnifi-
'ent conasaes of Major Mckinley in the |
ield whieh he had personally Witnessed
while sewing together during the stir |
ing days Of th Q civil war.