The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-08
TRIBUTE, TO
GENERAL WHEELER
FORMER CONGRESSMAN EDDY
WRITES "REMINISCENCES.
Sank Center Editor Tells of His First
Meeting with Dead Hero, and Recalls
a Scene illustrating Truth of the
Statement, ssthe Bravest Are the
Tenderest, and the Loving Are the
Daring
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal. b.. :.
Sank Center Mimi, Feb. s.-Former Congress-
man Frank NJ. Eddy has written the following
personal "reminiscences of the late General Jo-
seph Wheeler which appears today in his paper,
the Sank Center Herald ~
when l was elected to congress In 1894, the
man I had the most curiosity to meet was Gen,
eral Joseph Wheeler Of Alabama. had a
cousin who was a federal officer and was cap
tured by the doughty little general. He es-
capped, was recaptured, escaped again and was
again recaptured. The third time General Wheel
er got him he said: Young man, you are
entirely too numerous. This time you go to
Libby and he handcuffed and shackled him and
sent him to that noted prison. Ny cousin had
often spoken to me of Fighting joe and in
my mind pictured him as dashing southener,
at least six feet tall, with long, flowing, black
hair and jet black eyes, ready to fight at the
drop of the hat and, If necessary, to drop the
hat himself rather than not fight.
when 7 arrived at Washington I registered
at the Varnum hotel. 1t not a flrst-class
hotel, but it corresponded better to my finances
than the Shoreham, the Ebbitt the Willard.
I took a room and went out on the front porch
and sat down. .... .s.,
First Sight of Wheeler. ~
Down the street came a funny looking old
man carrying dsreputable- looking cur In his
arms. He was not more than Ave feet four
inches in height, bald billiard ball, with
a. ragged gray beard and the mildest- looking
blue eyes set in a mans face. AS he
beggar OF dog got his leg broken by street
car. I am afraid that if I left him in the
street he would die. am going to fix him up
and give him to that niger that lives across
the alley
II asked Mr. Manual, the proprietor Of the
hotel, who the kind-hearted old man was. To
my utter establishment he replied That is
General Wheeler Of Alabama
For two years I boarded at the same hotel as
General Wheeler. hundred times did he illus
trate the truth Of the statement The bravest
are the tenderest. and the loving are the dar-
ing
''I remember that one evening engaged in
a hot discussion with him on the question OF
negro suffrage. Hot words were passed and
both lost our tem3er-at least did.
after l had retired to my room and lust
sunk into slumber~a knock sounded at my door
| opened the door and there stood General
Wheeler enveloDed in a long nightdress. Mr..
Eddy said he, in the heat Of our discussion
tonight 1 might have said something ought
not to have said, and which might have hurt
your feelings, and If did want to apologize
for it.
Dearest Wish Is Granted.
"While General Wheeler never EXPRESSED any
he often told me it was the one hope of his life
that something would turn up that he might
die, wearing the uniform Of United States
officer.
'When the war was declared against snain
the general FASTENED to the White House. OF
course President Mckinley, knowing his ability
as an officer and the world never produced a
better subordinate cavalry commander promised
him appointment.
He left the White House on the run-Gen
eral Wheeler never walked--and FASTENED tc
the military tailor, who had shop under the
Ebbitt house. and ordered his uniform I never
saw as happy man as General Wheeler was
that night. Il am, once more an officer in thu
United States army he said; 4 would be will
ing to die this minute If did not hope tt
render some service to my country before 20.
General Wheeler not success as ,
congressman but Just as long as he desired II
hold tine position no man living could defea
| him. The south is land of sentiment, ant
every man who ever served under him love-
him and would make any sacrifice to give hin
what he wanted.
General Wheeler is dead. He died as h
| hoped to die--an officer of the United State
army. He was not the greatest commando
either of the north south, but he was tn
| best loved man that commanded men, FL
was stranger to fear. No hardship ever wa
too severe for him to face; no obstacle was eve
! too great to deter him from the Performance
of his duty. The watchword of his life wa
| Duty. "
More eyes We're wet with tears when tn
news Of his death flashed over the wires tina
were called forth by the death of any man O
modern times. 10