The Washington herald., 1906-11-07
From the Topeka Journal.

From the Topeka Journal.
Brig. Gen. David S. Gordon, who is gen.
orally conceded to be the only survivor OF
the historic Frontier Guard" Is in To-
peka, and although in his seventy-ffth
year. and retired from active service in
The United states army for the past eleven
years, a lame man with a glass eye could
see plainly that he was not retired for dis
ability.
Gen. Gordon. although his hair is white
shows none Of the usual symptoms of old
age. His carriage could. have been no
more erect. without a backward tilt in
1851, when he was first sergeant IN Jim
sI-anes Frontier Guard, who hold
unique position in the history Of the
United States.
Gen. Gordon came to Topeka with his
wife on account Of the last illness Of Mrs.
Rebecca Hughes, Mrs. Gordon's mother,
who died at her home. l242 Clay street,
last week. Gen. and Mrs. Gordon viii go
10 Washington, D. c., their home since he
was retired eleven years ago.
When Gene" Ware was Commissioner
Of Pensions in Washington. he lived near
Gen. Gordon, and became well acquainted
with him, and when Ware learned that his
friend was in Topeka a few days ago he
fastened to renew the acquaintance. In
the course Of their conversation Ware
learned that while in san Francisco at
tending the wedding Of his daughter. a
certain earthquake came along and caused
the destruction by fire of the Gordon
household gods, and the general mentioned
as one Of his severest losses the destruc-
Of .4fe IN
tier Guard" All documents pertaining TO
military honors wen since that memorable
occasion. when a band of lighting kan
sans took it upon themselves to protect
their president, were lost at the same
time, but Gen. Gordon seemed to regret
the loss Of that particular document worst
OF all
While discussing the loss, MIR. Ware sud
denly rose up with war whoop and said:
Duplicate Copy of Discharge.
General, I cant restore your lost doc
ument, but I can do the next best. I can
give you an exact copy OF it-word for
word"
Thereupon iToUauill' rushed 20 his Of
fee. dived into his private safe, and pulled
out faded d0cument-the exact counter
part Of the one lost by Gen. Gordon. ex-
cept that il bore the name of Second
Sergt Holsinger instead Of First Sergt.
Gordon. lie had typewriter copy made
OF the discharge, inserting the name Of
his friend, the general, in place of that of
his dead friend Holsinger. This copy he
delivered TO Gen. Gordon, who was ex-
ceedingly glad to get it.
Judge Ware came by the Holsinger dis
charge several years ago. upon the death
Of the owner, who knew that Ware
wanted it for its historic value, and wiIled
Il TO him
This is the document, or rather. the
typewriter copy, with Gen. Gordon's
name inserted
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Picture u White House,
Headquarters Frontier Guard
Washington City April e. Is6l.
To Hon. $ Cameron, Secretary Of Wan
Sir, In consequence Of tle arrival Cf large mum
hers Of troops IN this city. I am satisfied the
emergency has ceased that called our company INTO
Service
Il you concur in this opinion. ! shorJ be pleased
e. receive authority from sou 90 dl>band said com
pany, and 20 h0ao-ably discharge the members
thereof from the service.
Very truly,