The Indianapolis journal., 1903-07-23
TORIES
OF THE
T Q w N

Maj. James E. Macklin, in charge of the
local recruiting Office has a chapter in his
military history that he modestly refrains
from telling. but his old friend, John B.
Taylor. of Anderson. is fond of recountng
ii. Both served in the Sixteenth Indiana.
Did you ever hear how Macklin captured
Captain Brown. the rebel bushwacker, in
the swamps of Louisiana and subsequently
carried off young rebel lieutenant from
| the home of his lady lover" asked the
colonel. 1T was Captain Macklin in those
days." he continued, cutting off a liberal
chew of tobacco and carefully wiping the
knife blade his boot. 'The romantic
part of this incident happened on the plan
tation of the beautiful Miss Randolph. sit
uated on the banks of the Mississippi
river, not far from the hamlet of Bayou
Goula. 1t took place the evening of April
9. 1866. 1t had been scorching hot day
was having an interview with her sweet
| heart, young Lieutenant Smart. of the
Louisiana Cavalry. when Captain Macklin
and his men appeared. / don't suppose, If
the captain had spent weeks of study on the
subject, he could have appeared anywhere
at any time more inopportunely than he
on the plantation with her grandfather.
Colonel Randolph and some colored serv-
ants. Lieutenant Smart. securely disguised.
had stolen into the plantation to see her
and to bring news of the capture of the
rebel bushwacker, Captain Brown, by
Macklin and his men. Sitting beside his
sweetheart, her hand clasped in his, the
young lieutenant told her how Captain
Macklin, with Company X, Of the Sixteenth
! Indiana Mounted Infantry. with Sergeant
swamps and canebrakes, capturing Brown
and his men, the night before. The lieu
tenant was in the midst Of this recital when
Pretty Miss Randolph suggested that her
lover hide In the shrubbery until after the
Hoosiers left and then make a break for the
would have worked ali right had not one
of Macklin's men caught sight of the young
rebel riding across the lawn. The latter
ieaping hedge that inclosed Colonel Ran
into the road. with Macklin's men after
him. Shoot If you dare, you cowards!' he
and another tore a hole in the gray coat.
Another instant and the rebel lieutenant
had drawn rein. Boys he said, you have
done bravely. and surrender to an equal in
rank Captain Macklin rode up and took
his sword and we returned with our cap
tive to our camp at Donaldsonville. We
captured Captain Brown and ten men Of the
Seventeenth Arkansas rebel regiment, and
Lieutenant Smart, of the Second Louisiana
Cavalry. In less than twenty-f9ur s;n Our hours hours
tanned our prisoners with hardtack, cof-
fee and good will and sent them to New
Orleans where they were soon @ exenanged gee
tenant Smart may have forgiven Captain
Macklin for interrupting his little visit
with his sweetheart but I'll guarantee that
the imperious Miss Randolph never did,"
The only time Representative Jesse Over
street ever had occasion to put up what
he called real stiff bluff was at West
Baden Springs for the benefit of the Chi
cago Democratic politician known as Bath
house John" and a party of his friends.
Mr.. Overstreet arrived at the springs one
evening and found crowd of the Chicago
politicians gathered around pair of scales.
They were guessing at each others weight.
Overstreet had just arrived and knew no
one in the party. While watching them
weigh one of them stepped up to him and,
slapping him on the shoulder remarked:
was not disposed to resent the familiarity
and good-naturedly replied that there was
not a man in the party who could guess
within ten pounds of his real weight. The
declaration attracted the attention of the
crowd.
What's that?" asked one of the Chicago
ans. do you mean to say we can't guess
your weight within ten pounds?"
That's just what mean to say" replied
Overstreet, "and I'd be willing to make a
| little bet on 1t just to make it interesting"
The members of the party began guessing
at his weight and the interest became
intense that 1t was suggested that a record
| be kept Of the guesses. To his amazement
none of the guesses really came within
ten pounds Of his real weight. His bluff
| had won, for he had made 1t so strong
that the guessers all put his weight ridicu-
| lously high or too low.
xx
A of ff-df sed
question of the nude In art was overheard
at the Heron Institute. A Hoosier gran
ger and his wife stood before Wertheimer's
beautiful canvas. lost in contemplation of
the famous kiss of the Siren.''
well, Maria," said the man finally,
"now, what dye think Of it?"
Josiah" snapped his wife virtuously,
"all 1 can say is that think the mans
pants are beautiful, and wish the girl had
a pair like EN-"